Over the past several years interest has exploded in the legendary “Sword of St. Michael,” an imaginary line that links seven different monasteries from Ireland to Israel. Each location is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and some sources claim it “represents … the blow the Saint inflicted [on] the Devil, sending him to Hell.”
It is a fascinating legend, one that is clouded in mystery.
The legendary “sword” is called by many different names, for example: Sword of St. Michael, Sacred Line of St. Michael or St. Michael’s Line. In all cases it revolves around the following historic monasteries (and churches), with the number varying by tradition.
- Skellig Michael, Ireland
- Saint Michael’s Mount, England
- Mont Saint Michel, France
- Sacra di San Michele, Italy
- Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo, Italy
- Symi’s Monastery, Greece
- Stella Maris Monastery, Mount Carmel, Israel
Most of these places are associated with apparitions of St. Michael the Archangel and are ancient sites of devotion to the heavenly messenger. The remarkable alignment of these sites in a straight line is what has captured the attention of many people, who see it as a sign, pointing to an apocalyptic battle between St. Michael and Satan.
What’s even more interesting is that within the Book of Enoch, St. Michael is associated with seven mountains.
And I went beyond it and saw seven magnificent mountains all differing each from the other … And the seventh mountain was in the midst of these, and it excelled them in height, resembling the seat of a throne: and fragrant trees encircled the throne. And amongst them was a tree such as I had never yet smelt, neither was any amongst them nor were others like it: it had a fragrance beyond all fragrance, and its leaves and blooms and wood wither not for ever: and its fruit is beautiful, and its fruit resembles the dates of a palm. Then I said: ‘How beautiful is this tree, and fragrant, and its leaves are fair, and its blooms very delightful in appearance.’ Then answered Michael, one of the holy and honoured angels who was with me, and was their leader. (Enoch 1 24:2-6)
Essentially, St. Michael appears to be a protector of these seven mountains and the Tree of Life that is located on one of the mountains. The vision of Enoch is further described as an apocalyptic vision and explains how the Tree of Life was taken from Eden and placed on one of the mountains and will remain there until the end of time, from where God will judge all of creation.
The various writings that comprise the book of Enoch were written between 300 – 100 BC and were never included either in the Hebrew Scriptures or Christian Bible. This is because while there is much in the writings that complements scripture, there is more in it that is often at odds. For these and other reasons it is not believed to be fully inspired by God.
Nevertheless, all of these realities make for a mysterious “coincidence” that I am exploring in a new comic book series, weaving fact and fiction in a fantasy epic known as Finnian and the Seven Mountains.
With each new issue, it is our plan to follow this line and discover the ancient traditions and myths that surround each location.
In this way, we follow the advice of J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote, “‘I wisely started with a map and made the story fit.”
God’s plan is always an adventure and so we embark on this journey, letting the wind of the Spirit fill our sails to discover his mysterious plan for the world.
–> View the first few pages of Finnian and the Seven Mountains here!!
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the founder of Voyage Comics & Publishing and the writer and creator of the comic book series, Finnian and the Seven Mountains.