The angelic army is the support of the Creator. Angels and archangels help fulfill God's providence in the human world and in heaven. Depending on the circumstances, these invisible, disembodied spirits can be caring and bright. Sometimes they are warlike and fiery, wise and understanding.
Inquiring minds ask questions: why did God create angels, and who is an archangel? For a true believer, the answers to these questions not only broaden their horizons, but allow them to strengthen their faith and gain a deeper understanding of its essence. After all, angels are an important part of Christian culture. They help believers throughout their lives, become harbingers of great events, and take care of souls after the death of people.
Purpose of Angels
Angels are spiritual, immortal beings created in the image of God. All of them were created before our visible world. The word "angel" is translated as "messenger, God's messenger." This is their main essence: everything they do is according to the will and for the glory of God. And they have a lot to do:
- Praising God. The angelic choir never tires of glorifying and singing the greatness of the Creator.
- Note. Angels and archangels appear to tell people what to do or show them the way.
- Protection of people, nations and the church from all kinds of misfortunes and machinations of evil forces.
- Answering requests and prayers.
- Message. Through angels, God sends news of future events.
- Caring for souls after the death of the worldly body.
- Participation in Judgment Day.
When asked who an archangel is, people often imagine chubby babies with underdeveloped wings or certain Hollywood heroes in shining robes and stern faces. These imposed images have little in common with the image of the heavenly host, which the church and theologians insist on.
Angels are not physical, but spiritual beings, and therefore remain invisible to people. They appear before a person’s eyes only when God needs them. Angels can take any form: from a fiery whirlwind to a miraculous animal, but, as a rule, they choose a human form and appear before people as an adult man.
To inspire awe and reverence, the appearance of an angel is usually accompanied by additional effects: unbearable radiance, thunder, heavenly sounds. Christian tradition often endows them with majestic wings. However, we must remember that angels are endowed by the Creator with sufficient power to fly without wings. Like golden robes, they play the role of an external attribute that captures the imagination of the believer.
Guardian Angels
Each person is protected and looked after by a personal guardian angel. From the first cry to the last breath, the heavenly helper remains nearby, ready to respond to prayer or call. Among the representatives of God's army, guardian angels are closest to people. Therefore, the heaviest burden of human sins falls on them. All the dark thoughts and dirty deeds of the ward are known to the angel. He constantly mourns the perishing soul and prays for its salvation.
The Holy Fathers instruct us to remember that guardian angels are close and faithful friends for believers, their guides to God. You need to be aware of the constant presence of an invisible patron, mentally talk and consult with him. This not only strengthens faith, but also allows you to resist temptation, perform deep prayer, gain spiritual peace, and find answers to tormenting questions. Guardian angels sometimes protect entire nations and churches. For example, Archangel Michael first patronized the Jewish people. Only after some time did he become the custodian of the Christian Church. This has been written about in many sources.
Angelic hierarchy
The angelic multitude is innumerable, their activities are varied. Therefore, depending on the works and ranks, patrons are divided into three spheres (hierarchies). Each sphere includes three faces (ranks of angels). All faces are in complete agreement and strict submission. The most common angelic hierarchy is as follows:
First sphere:
- seraphim;
- cherubs;
- thrones.
Second sphere:
- domination;
- authorities;
- strength.
Third sphere:
- beginning (bosses);
- archangels;
- angels.
Hierarchy of angels in different religions
Heavenly shepherds in world religions are not strikingly different from the Christian canons. Moreover, many of them have practically the same origin in Judaism, Islam, the teachings of Kabbalah, and Orthodoxy. Even Buddhists recognize the existence of higher beings from the Absolute God.
The Jews have no types of angels; there are only seven highest messengers with the well-known names of three - Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. These three ministers have led and protected the chosen people since their inception. However, the non-canonical Book of Enoch contains the names of four more - Oriel, Sariel, Reguel, Jerahmiel, and a mention of 200 nameless angels. It tells how heavenly sons descended to earth and gave birth to half-angel Nephilim of gigantic stature from earthly women. For which they were punished by exile.
The angelic system of Kabbalah has up to 50 million representatives, each of which has its own name. Such heavenly forces formed into 10 angelic troops under the leadership of Metatron the Absolute.
There are eleven super-angels in Islam. Their names are similar to the well-known names of higher creatures of other faiths. Each performs its function, protecting, teaching, guiding people through life. In addition, the 8 strongest angels hold the throne of Allah, and numerous ministering angels of the 8 spheres ensure order in the kingdom of people.
The canonical classification of archangels and angels according to Christian doctrine includes guardians according to the number of people, 7 archangels above them, messengers of the Principalities, Authority, Strength, Dominion, Thrones, Cherubim and the highest Seraphim. The names of simple and higher heavenly servants are not so common, but the Archangelic persons are given a lot of space in the Bible. After all, they are the ones who directly stand for humanity.
First sphere
Seraphim are the highest angels who are located right next to the throne of God. Their name translates as “fiery, flaming.” Seraphim are flaming with reverence and love for the Lord, their task is to convey this love to the lower ranks of angels.
Cherubim are carriers of great wisdom; their name means “abundance of wisdom.” They know everything that a creature created by the Lord can know. The main task is to store and communicate this knowledge to the angelic faces and people.
Thrones are the basis for God's throne. The Creator pronounces his judgment while sitting on them. The purpose of thrones is to bestow the glory of God on lower hierarchies.
Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones
About Seraphim (from the Hebrew “saraph” - “flaming”) is known from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, where it is mentioned, for example, that they have six wings. In order to cleanse Isaiah's lips for future prophetic ministry, one of the seraphim burned them with hot coal from the altar.
This Old Testament image has become one of the popular subjects in Christian culture - one can, for example, recall A. S. Pushkin’s poem “The Prophet.” Seraphim are called upon to transmit the “fire” of love for God into human souls, purifying them.
It is written about the Cherubim in the Old Testament that one of them guarded the path to the tree of life. For the Seraphim, God is, first of all, the source of the highest Love, for the Cherubim - Reason. According to Tradition, they are busy comprehending and glorifying God’s Wisdom.
Thrones are the third rank. According to Tradition, these are angels contemplating and glorifying God as the Creator and Almighty.
Second sphere
Dominions are a symbol and confirmation of the power of the Creator. Their task is to control the angels of lower faces. They guide earthly rulers, teach them to subdue their feelings, not to succumb to the influence of evil forces, and to choose the right decisions.
Authorities are God's warriors, always ready to fight the forces of the devil. They protect a person from the temptations of evil spirits, strengthening his piety.
The Forces are warlike, powerful angels, through whom the Almighty manifests His infinite power, and with their help works wonders and signs.
Third sphere
They began to care about the fate of states and peoples. The Lord gives them the power and task of protecting individual nations from the machinations of the devil, and helping countries in difficult times.
Archangels are the leaders of the heavenly army, great warriors and evangelists. They proclaim the will of the Creator to angels and prophets, enlighten the soul and strengthen faith, protect the gates of heaven and are conquerors of the forces of evil.
Angels are the lowest and most numerous face. They are the link between each individual believer and the Creator.
Dominance, Strength and Authority
Domination is the fourth rank. Their mission is to comprehend the Providence and care of God for the world. The 20th century hieromartyr, Bishop Seraphim (Zvezdinsky) writes in the book “Angels”: “Contemplating God as a Provider (...) Dominions and people are taught to organize themselves (...) they teach us to take care of the soul, to provide for it; inspire a person to dominate his passions.”
Powers and Powers are angels of the fifth and sixth order, testifying to the power of God, working miracles, overcoming the laws of nature, and to His power, defeating the powers of darkness.
Great Week
When asked who an archangel is, most believers remember the two most revered and famous prototypes: Gabriel and Michael. In addition to them, there are five more archangels in the church hierarchy. They are considered superior. Icons of the archangels from Great Week stand in a prominent place in every temple. The names of these higher beings are listed below.
Michael is the leader of the heavenly army, the conqueror of Lucifer, the archangel, the great leader, the first and closest angel to the Creator. His name means "equal to God." Archangel Michael is depicted with a date branch in his left hand and a spear in his right. A white banner with God's cross develops at the tip of the spear; it symbolizes the victory of the forces of light over the devil.
Gabriel is a great evangelist and sage. He brought the good news to the Mother of God and guided John the Baptist and Joseph. Together with Michael, he announced to the apostles about the resurrection and miraculous ascension of Christ. His name translates as “knowledge of God.” On the icons, the archangel is depicted with a lantern or a branch of heaven in one hand, and in the other he holds a mirror. The lantern symbolizes the light of true faith and knowledge, the branch symbolizes the good news. The mirror helps people see their sins.
Raphael is a healer of mental and physical ailments. The name literally means "healing of God." Helps in grief and illness. Depicted with a feather for lubricating wounds and a medical vessel.
Uriel is the patron saint of preachers of faith, the bearer of the light of the Creator, the defender of divine truths. His name translates as “fire of God.” Uriel brings revelations to people, inflames their souls with deep faith, helps a person overcome unclean thoughts and attachments. Depicted with flame and sword.
Salafiel is the main prayer book for people. His name means "prayer of God." Depicted with downcast eyes and folded hands in prayer.
Yehudil is the protector and patron of clergy and people who live and work to increase the glory of the Creator. The name translates as "God's praise." In his right hand he holds a crown as a reward to holy people for piety, in his left hand he holds a whip as a symbol of punishment for laziness in serving the Almighty.
Barachiel is the leader and leader of the host of guardian angels. He intercedes for people before the Creator, and his name means “God’s blessing.” Depicted with roses on his clothes and in his hands.
Archangels
| 1 | Michael | Heb. “who is like God”; Archangel (military leader); in the icon he tramples the devil underfoot, in his left hand he holds a green date branch, in his right hand a spear with a white banner (sometimes a flaming sword), on which a scarlet cross is inscribed. Placed by God over all nine ranks of Angels. | November 8/21 | Jude 1:9; Dan. 3:92-95 |
| 2 | Gabriel | "The Power of God"; proclaims to people the great deeds of God; he is depicted with a branch of paradise that he brought to the Blessed Virgin, or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a jasper mirror in his left. | Mar 26/Apr 8; 13/26 Jul; 8/21 Nov. | Luke 1:26; Dan. 8:16 |
| 3 | Raphael | "Healing of God"; healer, doctor of God; is depicted holding a vessel with healing potions and leading Tobias with his right hand, carrying a fish. | November 8/21 | Comrade 3:16; 12:15 |
| 4 | Uriel | "Light, fire of God"; enlightens people and inflames their hearts with love for God; is depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand at chest level, and a fiery flame in his lowered left hand. | 3Ride 5:20 | |
| 5 | Salafiel | "God's Prayer Book"; depicted with his hands folded in prayer on his chest. | 3Ride 5:16 | |
| 6 | Yehudiel | "Glorifying God"; patron of monks and workers for the glory of God; image holding a golden crown in his right hand, and in his left a scourge of three black ropes with three ends (reward for saints and reward for sinners). | Mentioned only in Holy Tradition | |
| 7 | Barachiel | "God's Blessing"; giver of blessings and mercy of God; image Carrying white roses on their chests, as a harbinger of bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven, or roses on their clothes. | Mentioned only in Holy Tradition | |
| 8 | Jeremiel | "The Height of God"; depicted holding scales in his hand. | 3Ride 4:36 |
( 38 ratings, average: 4.29 out of 5)
Fallen Archangel
Once upon a time, the main angel in the heavenly hierarchy was Lucifer. God loved him more than others. The beautiful and perfect Lucifer, whose name translates as “bringer of light,” was called upon, together with the Archangel Michael, to defend paradise from the forces of darkness. But pride and the desire to be equal in power to the Creator pushed him to betrayal and rebellion. A third of the angels joined Lucifer. A great battle began, in which the bright army under the leadership of Michael threw the apostates from heaven. Since then, the fallen archangel has become the personification of universal evil.
Occupation, hierarchy and differences
In the Bible, higher beings are divided according to their degree of closeness to the Creator.
Theologians distinguish three angelic spheres with three levels in each. The archangels occupy the eighth, and the ninth, last and closest to people are the angels. Archangels are conductors of God's will into the world of people. Revelations and prophecies are their field of activity.
The Archangel appeared to the Virgin Mary to convey the good news of the birth of the Savior. Next in hierarchy, angels are protectors of people and guardians of life on earth. The Church celebrates the day of angels on November 21 according to the new style. The people call the holiday St. Michael's Day, and the full name is the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers.
On this day, all angelic ranks are revered, and the day of the angel of a particular person is celebrated annually on the day of baptism. According to Christian tradition, each parishioner has two birthdays. The first is earthly, when a person was born, and the second is spiritual, when he was baptized. After the sacrament, a certificate is issued, which indicates the new name of the parishioner and the name day of the guardian angel.
Differences between archangels and angels
And yet, who is an archangel, how does he differ from an angel? Several fundamental differences can be identified:
- Chin. Archangels are the main angels; they are incomparably higher and more powerful than ordinary spirits.
- Closeness to the Creator. The archangels surround the throne of the Creator and touch his clothes.
- Purposes and actions. The Lord sends archangels to perform the most important tasks. The lower angels are busy with more mundane matters.
- Number. There are a countless number of angels from the second and third spheres, but the archangels are everything.
- Name. The highest angels have names, the angels of the lower spheres are unknown.
These are just the most important differences between angels and archangels. In fact, there are many more of them.
