Rachel Evans
The concept of angels is prevalent in many religions, including Christianity and Judaism, and they are often depicted as spiritual beings with specific roles and characteristics. In the context of Catholic angelology, there is a belief in nine choirs or ranks of angels, as outlined by theologians like Pseudo-Dionysius and Thomas Aquinas. These nine choirs are divided into three hierarchies, with each hierarchy consisting of three orders or choirs. The first hierarchy, closest to God, includes Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. The second hierarchy, where Divine ideas begin to multiply, comprises Dominions, Virtues, and Powers. The third and lowest hierarchy, where guardian angels reside, is the one with which humans have the most interaction. While the specific names and interpretations may vary, the belief in a hierarchical structure of angels with distinct roles and powers is a significant aspect of Catholic theology and spiritual practice.
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What You'll Learn
The nine choirs of angels
The second hierarchy includes the Dominions, Virtues, and Powers. The Divine ideas begin to be multiplied through these choirs, allowing them to have an effect in the created universe.
The third hierarchy includes the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The Archangels are the chief messengers of God, bearing his greatest messages to mankind. They rule over the lesser messengers or Angels, who are their chiefs. The Archangels include Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, who are the only three angels specifically named in Holy Scripture. Guardian Angels, who are assigned to protect and guide individuals, groups, or nations, are believed to belong to the lowest choir.
While the nine choirs of angels are a common belief in Catholic theology, it is important to note that different religions and Christian denominations may have varying interpretations and hierarchies of angels.
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Archangels
In the Bible, three archangels are mentioned by name: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael means "one who is like God", and he is the protector of souls. In 1917, St. Michael the Archangel visited three children at Fatima, telling them, "I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me". Pope John Paul II later referred to St. Michael as the principal figure in the "battle against the devil".
The archangel Gabriel is Hebrew for "Man of God", or "Strength of God". In the sixth month, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to Joseph, to announce the birth of Jesus. The archangel Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, where he describes himself as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the lord of spirits".
The idea of seven archangels is most explicitly stated in the Book of Tobit. The Catholic Church recognises seven archangels altogether, although only three are named in the Biblical canon. The remaining four archangels are named differently in different places, and these names are not accepted by the Church for veneration by Catholics. However, the veneration of the Seven Archangels is permitted, and chapels dedicated to them exist in Rome and the Jesuit church Gesu.
In Western Christian traditions, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are referred to as archangels. However, in Byzantine tradition, other names are sometimes used for the remaining four archangels, including Uriel, Camael, Jophiel, Zadkiel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jerahmeel.
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Guardian angels
The idea of guardian angels is deeply rooted in Scripture, the writings of saints, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Although the Church has never defined that every soul has a guardian angel, it is considered the "mind of the Church". The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting Saint Basil, says, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life".
The concept of guardian angels can be traced back to antiquity, with pagans like Menander and Plutarch, and Neo-Platonists like Plotinus, holding similar beliefs. The idea is also present in the Bible, where angels act as executors of God's wrath, deliver Lot from danger, and lead the host of Israel. 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 "the worth of souls is so great that from birth each one has an angel assigned to him for his protection".
Saint Thomas Aquinas agreed with this sentiment, stating that "each man has an angel guardian appointed to him", and that this stems from the "guardianship of angels" being part of "Divine providence concerning men". Aquinas further asserted that the Guardian Angels of individuals are taken from the lowest choir of angels, who are closest to the material world and humanity. These angels are purely spiritual beings without physical bodies, but they can take on human form to better communicate with humans.
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Seraphim
In Christian angelology, Seraphim are comparable to Hamalat al-'Arsh, those who carry the 'Arsh (Throne of God) in Islamic tradition. Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, a 13th-century Islamic theologian, also divided the angels into eight groups, resembling the Christian hierarchy.
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are identified as Seraphim, although some sources suggest that they are Archangels. However, it is important to note that the Bible does not explicitly mention a hierarchy of angels, and the classification of angels into different ranks is based on interpretations by theologians.
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Cherubim
The Cherubim are the second-highest rank of angels in the celestial hierarchy, below only the Seraphim. They are described in the Bible as mighty, noble, and angelic beings that surround and protect God's throne. They are also known as Muqarrabun, which means "those who are near" in Arabic, reflecting their proximity to God.
In Christian angelology, the Cherubim are depicted with four faces: that of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. Each face represents a different aspect of creation, including man, domestic animals, wild animals, and aviary creatures. They are said to have four wings covered with eyes, the body of a lion, and the feet of an ox. This description, though unusual, is the most common depiction of angels in the Bible, second only to God. The Book of Ezekiel and Christian icons also portray them with two pairs of wings.
The Cherubim are the guardians of the Ark of the Covenant and the entrance to the Garden of Eden after mankind was expelled. Their name translates to "'fullness of wisdom,'" and they are known for contemplating and communicating God's divine plan for His creation. They are far removed from the classical Renaissance art images of infant-like beings, or putti, with tiny wings.
In the hierarchy of angels, the first sphere, which includes the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, possesses the most universal knowledge of God's will. These angels are oriented directly towards God and have the broadest understanding of His word. They are also known as the "burning ones," constantly praising God and singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!" (Isaiah 6:1-7).
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Frequently asked questions
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the nine ranks of angels, or angelic hierarchy, are Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Angels are spiritual beings that are closest to the material world and humanity. They are God's messengers and carry out His important plans for humans. They are also believed to guide and protect individuals, groups, or nations.
The highest ranks of angels are the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, which are oriented immediately to God and possess the most universal and profound understanding of the Eternal Word.
Some notable angel names include Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. These angels are often depicted as the chief messengers of God, delivering His most important messages to humans.
