Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges the existence of seven archangels, but only three are recognized by name in Catholic doctrine: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. These three archangels are the only angels named in Scripture, and they are venerated in Latin Christianity. However, the Eastern Catholic Churches name all seven archangels, including Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), and Barachiel, with the eighth sometimes being Jerahmeel (Jeremiel).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Archangels recognised by the Catholic Church | 7 |
| Number of Archangels recognised by name by the Catholic Church | 3 |
| Names of the Archangels recognised by the Catholic Church | Michael, Gabriel, Raphael |
| Names of the other Archangels recognised by the Eastern Catholic Churches | Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel) |
| Names of the Archangels recognised by the Coptic tradition | Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Surael, Sedakiel, Sarathael, Ananael |
| Names of the Archangels recognised by the Oriental Orthodox Christian denominations | Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Phanuel, Remiel |
| Names of the Archangels recognised by the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition | Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Phanuel, Remiel |
| Names of the Archangels recognised by the Book of Enoch | Raguel, Saraqael, Remiel |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges three archangels
The concept of seven archangels is found in some works of early Jewish literature and in Christianity. In those texts, they are referenced as angels who serve God directly. The Catholic Church recognizes seven archangels, but only three are known by name. The other four archangels' names appear in Jewish and Christian sources outside of the canon of Sacred Scripture, such as the Book of Enoch.
The term "archangel" itself is not found in the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament. In the Greek New Testament, the term "archangel" only occurs in 1 Thessalonians 4 (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and the Epistle of Jude (Jude 1:9), where it is used in reference to Michael. Michael is also referred to in Daniel 10:12 as "one of the chief princes" and "the great prince."
The three archangels recognized by the Catholic Church each have specific roles and significance. St. Michael is often depicted as a protector and a leader in the battle against evil. His name means "one who is like God," reflecting his role as a defender of God's kingdom. St. Gabriel, whose name means "God is my strength," is known for delivering important messages from God, such as the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary in Nazareth. St. Raphael, meanwhile, is described in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord of spirits."
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The names of the other four archangels
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges the existence of seven archangels, but only three are mentioned by name in the Bible and thus officially recognized by name in Catholic doctrine: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The names of the other four archangels appear in Jewish and Christian sources outside of the canon of Sacred Scripture, such as the Book of Enoch. These four archangels are Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, and Remiel.
Uriel is a well-known and revered figure in Christian tradition, frequently appearing in early Jewish and Christian texts, such as the Book of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Peter, and 2 Baruch. Despite this, Uriel was removed from the official list of angels to be venerated by the Catholic Church during the Council of Rome in 745, along with the names of many other angels and archangels. This decision was made to discourage the growing trend of angel worship, which was leading towards heresy.
Raguel, also known as Saraqael, Sealtiel, or Izidkiel, is mentioned in the Book of Enoch as one of the seven archangels. Raguel is traditionally revered as the Archangel of Justice and Fairness, representing God's divine justice.
Zerachiel, also known as Jerahmeel, is another archangel recognized in the Eastern Orthodox Church and some Catholic traditions. The name Jerahmeel is found in 2 Esdras, a book considered canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches, and included in the Apocrypha section of the Protestant Bible used by Lutherans and Anglicans.
Remiel, also known as Phanuel, is also mentioned in the Book of Enoch as one of the seven archangels. In Catholic tradition, Remiel is associated with the hope of divine judgment and the resurrection of the dead.
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The Catholic Church venerates seven archangels
The other four archangels recognized by the Catholic Church appear in Jewish and Christian sources outside of the canon of Sacred Scripture. Their names are: Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, and Remiel. Uriel, in particular, has played an important role in many apocryphal texts, such as the Book of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Peter, and 2 Baruch. Although these texts are now considered apocryphal, Uriel continued to be revered as an Archangel by many Catholics due to historical and cultural traditions.
The concept of Seven Archangels is found in some works of early Jewish literature and in Christianity. In those texts, they are referenced as the angels who serve God directly. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels. The additional archangels in the Eastern traditions are Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, and the eighth, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel).
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The Eastern Catholic Churches name seven archangels
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges only three archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. These archangels are the only angels named in Scripture and are thus the only ones officially recognized by name in Catholic doctrine. However, the Catholic Church does acknowledge the existence of seven archangels according to Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
The names of the archangels come from various sources, including the Bible, Jewish and Christian literature, and apocryphal texts. For example, Uriel is named in 2 Esdras, which is considered authoritative by some Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Book of Enoch, a Jewish apocryphal work before the time of Christ. Raguel, Saraqâêl, and Remiel are also mentioned in the Book of Enoch.
The veneration of archangels is an important aspect of Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, with prayers and devotions directed to them as intercessors to God, rather than as objects of worship. The Archangels are believed to serve God directly and play a significant role in both religious literature and popular piety.
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The Feast of the Archangels
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges the existence of seven archangels, but only three are mentioned by name in the Bible and thus officially recognized by the Church: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The other four archangels recognized by the Byzantine tradition are Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), and Barachiel. The eighth is sometimes considered to be Jerahmeel (Jeremiel).
Saint Michael is the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the patron saint of grocers, soldiers, doctors, mariners, first responders, and police. He is also the Guardian of the Church and the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. Saint Gabriel is an angel who serves as a messenger for God, announcing to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. Saint Raphael is one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord. He is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey, and his name means "God heals."
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Feast of Saint Michael, the Archangel, is also known as Old Michaelmas Day and is celebrated on October 11. A Michaelmas pie is made from the last of the blackberries of the season. According to folklore in the British Isles, Michaelmas day is the last day that blackberries can be picked. This is because, when St. Michael expelled Lucifer from heaven, Lucifer fell from the skies and landed in a prickly blackberry bush. In anger, he cursed the fruit, making them unfit for eating.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church officially acknowledges three archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. These are the only angels named in Scripture. However, the Church does acknowledge that there are seven archangels according to Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
The names of the other four Archangels appear in Jewish and Christian sources outside of the canon of Sacred Scripture. Their names are: Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, and Remiel.
Yes, Lutheranism and Anglicanism recognize four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and sometimes Uriel. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels, including Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), and Barachiel.
Archangels are recognized as leaders and are entrusted by God with special duties. They are believed to be active in the lives of Catholics and are often prayed to for intercession, protection, and guidance.
