Our life is filled with symbols. Among the important Ukrainian national symbols is Archistrategos Michael. Since the Kyivan Rus period, the Archangel has become one of the most venerated saints in Ukraine. This is evident from the number of churches dedicated to him and from his depictions on icons, insignia, decorations, municipal heraldry, coins, postcards, corporate emblems, book illustrations, engravings, other artworks, flags, and postage stamps. Various institutions and organisations choose the Archistrategos as their patron or bear his name. At times, Michael appears not only as a symbol of the Dnipro region, but of Ukraine as a whole. His image was also included in several proposed designs for the coat of arms of a united Ukrainian state.

All this is reflected in the ensemble of artefacts on display at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the exhibition «“Who Is Like God?”: Image of Archistrategos Michael in National History and Culture».

At the center of the exhibition stands a monumental relief of the Archistrategos that once adorned the Kyiv City Hall in the 18th century. The earliest exhibits are medallions depicting Archangel Michael, dating to the 12th–13th centuries. Several showcases are dedicated to two monasteries – St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery and St Michael’s Vydubychi Monastery – and feature unique ecclesiastical items, including a Cross and a Chalice donated to the churches by Metropolitan Petro Mohyla.

Since the 17th century, the coat of arms of Kyiv has featured the image of Archistrategos Michael. This is represented in the exhibition by seals of craft guilds. A separate section presents modern municipal heraldry, including distinctions awarded by the mayor of Kyiv.

During the time of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the image of Archangel Michael combined with the Galician Lion as the emblem of a «United Ukraine» became especially widespread before the Trident was officially adopted as the state coat of arms. This is illustrated in the exhibition by badges, cockades, postage stamps, books, documents, and other materials.

The concluding section of the exhibition is devoted to the Revolution of Dignity and the ongoing Russian–Ukrainian war. Archistrategos Michael, as a symbol and heavenly protector of soldiers, is represented through the insignia of the Air Assault Forces and Territorial Defence units, as well as through various decorations and awards.

The exhibition space is crowned by one of the finest icons in the museum’s collection – Synaxis of Archistrategos Michael.

Admission follows the general museum ticket price: 150 UAH; 80 UAH for school pupils, students, and pensioners.

The exhibition is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00; the ticket office operates until 17:00.