Antiphona ad Magnificat

This antiphon conflates two apocalyptic moments: the Latin text ('Factum est silentium in caelo, dum committeret bellum draco cum Michaele Archangelo') describes the silence in heaven during the battle between the dragon and Michael (cf. Apocalypse 8:1; 12:7), while the English translation renders the battle itself more directly. The 'silentium in caelo' (silence in heaven) indicates the cosmic significance of this combat: even the heavenly liturgy pauses as Michael contends with Satan. The dragon's defeat (Apocalypse 12:7-9) results in his expulsion from heaven to earth - hence the intensification of spiritual warfare in the terrestrial realm. At Second Vespers, this antiphon recalls the primordial victory that grounds the Church's confidence against demonic assault.