Rachel Evans
Angels are a common theme across many religions and spiritual traditions, including Catholicism, and are believed to be mighty beings with supernatural dominion over the earth. In Catholicism, angels are considered messengers of God, and there are nine types of angels within three main groups, known as choirs. These choirs are further divided into hierarchies, with the highest hierarchy consisting of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. Archangels are another well-known type of angel and are considered to be the chief messengers of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of angel types | 9 |
| Number of hierarchies | 3 |
| Number of choirs in each hierarchy | 3 |
| Highest hierarchy | Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones |
| Second hierarchy | Dominions, Virtues, Powers |
| Lowest hierarchy | Lowest five choirs can manifest in the corporeal world |
| Archangels | Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Saraqael, Raguel, Remiel |
| Archangels' role | Messengers, spiritual warriors |
| Regular angels | Guardians of people and all things physical |
| Regular angels' role | Messengers, protectors, warriors |
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What You'll Learn
Archangels
In Catholicism, angels are considered to be the messengers of God. They are believed to be spiritual, non-corporeal beings that do not possess a physical body. The word "angel" comes from the Greek word "aggelos", which means "messenger".
Michael, whose name means "one who is like God", is believed to be the protector of souls and is often depicted as battling against the devil. Gabriel is known for bringing messages from God, such as when he came to Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus. Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, where he is described as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord of spirits".
In addition to these three archangels, other names have been attributed to the remaining archangels, including Uriel, Sarakael, Raguel, and Remiel. However, the Catholic Church has discouraged the practice of assigning names to angels, except for those that are explicitly mentioned in the Bible.
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Seraphim
In the hierarchy of angels, Seraphim are one of the nine choirs of angels, along with Cherubim and Thrones, which are the highest group of angels. The second level of angels includes Dominations, Virtues, and Powers, and the third group includes Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. These nine choirs of angels are also referred to as the nine orders or spheres of angels, with each hierarchy containing three orders or choirs.
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Cherubim
In the Catholic Church, cherubim are believed to be actual spiritual beings, not just symbolic representations. They are mentioned in the Old Testament, where they are placed by God at the entrance of the Garden of Eden to prevent Adam and Eve from returning. They are also mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, where they are described as having four faces: that of a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle.
The appearance of cherubim has been a subject of debate, with various depictions throughout history. In ancient art, cherubim were depicted as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces. Over time, they became associated with the putto derived from Cupid, resulting in their common portrayal as small, plump, winged boys.
In the fourth or fifth century, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite wrote "The Celestial Hierarchy," in which he arranged angels into three hierarchies, with cherubim being placed in the first hierarchy, reflecting their closeness to God.
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Guardian angels
In Catholic teachings, the idea of guardian angels is deeply rooted in Scripture, as well as in the writings of the saints and the teachings of the Church. In the Psalms, it is written, "For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11–12). Saint Jerome, commenting on the Gospel of Matthew, expressed the belief that "each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it." Similarly, Saint Thomas Aquinas asserted, "Each man has an angel guardian appointed to him. This rests upon the fact that the guardianship of angels belongs to the execution of Divine providence concerning men."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting Saint Basil, states, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Pope Saint John Paul II also affirmed the belief in guardian angels, teaching that "God has entrusted to the angels a ministry in favor of people." Guardian angels are not only for children, but for all people, providing comfort and protection.
While the existence of guardian angels is not an article of faith in Catholicism, it is considered to be in line with the "mind of the Church." The Church venerates guardian angels in the liturgy and encourages prayers for their protection, such as the invocation "Angel of God."
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Angels
In Christianity, angels are believed to be the messengers of God, delivering his messages and guiding humanity. The idea of angels as guardians of people is also prevalent in Christian belief. The Christian angelic hierarchy was extensively developed in the 5th century by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, who described nine levels of spiritual beings, grouped into three orders or hierarchies, with each hierarchy containing three choirs or orders. These nine choirs of angels are also referred to in the Chaplet of Saint Michael the Archangel, a Catholic devotion approved by Pope Pius IX.
The nine choirs of angels, from highest to lowest, are:
- Seraphim: These angels are considered the closest to God, leading worship in heaven and constantly praising him. They are described as "fiery serpents" with four faces, and their appearance on Earth is said to be in the form of tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
- Cherubim: They are the second-highest ranking angels and are described as having two pairs of wings and four faces: that of a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle. They are the guardians of the Ark of the Covenant and the entrance to the Garden of Eden after humankind was driven out.
- Thrones: These angels reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. They are described as having a bizarre appearance, resembling great glowing wheels covered with many eyes.
- Dominions: Also known as Angels of Leadership, they regulate the duties of other angels and make known the commands of God.
- Virtues: Little information is provided about this choir of angels.
- Powers: Limited information is available about this specific group.
- Principalities: These angels are now considered hostile to God and humanity, according to Catholic tradition.
- Archangels: They are one of the most well-known choirs and are believed to be extraordinary beings with specific healing gifts. They are the chief messengers of God, delivering his most important messages to mankind. The Bible mentions Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as archangels, and the Church recognizes seven archangels in total.
- Angels: These are the most common type of angels, acting as guardians of people and all things physical. They are sent as messengers to humanity and may protect and guide humans as well as act as warriors on God's behalf.
While the above-mentioned hierarchy is widely accepted in Christian theology, there are slight variations proposed by different theologians. For instance, some sources suggest that the Dominions, Virtues, and Powers belong to the second hierarchy, while the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels form the third hierarchy.
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Frequently asked questions
There are nine types of angels, or choirs, in three main groups.
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Seraphim are the highest rank of angels and are considered the closest to God. They are described as "fiery serpents" and are the caretakers of God's throne. Cherubim are the second-highest rank and are the guardians of God's glory. They are described as having two pairs of wings and four faces: a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a human. Thrones are angels of humility, peace, and submission, and they reside in the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. Dominions are angels of leadership, regulating the duties of other angels and making known the commands of God. Archangels are the chief messengers of God, ruling over the lesser messengers or angels. They are also the guardians of humankind. Angels are the most common type of angel and act as messengers to humanity. They are the guardians of people and all things physical.
