Heavenly hierarchy in Orthodox Christianity

General information about the celestial hierarchy

In Orthodox dogmatics, two hierarchies are distinguished: heavenly (invisible) and earthly (visible).
If we take into account the Holy Scriptures, we will find in it a clear indication of the creation of heaven and earth. Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea of the Capadocia Church, argues that “heaven” should be understood as nothing more than the invisible divine world of incorporeal beings - angels. At the same time, “earth” means the material, earthly world of substances, the Earth. Therefore, it turns out that the angelic world was created by the Creator before the material world began to exist. We can find direct indications on this question in one of the instructive books of the Old Testament - in the book of Job. It pays special attention to the following words:

What are its foundations lowered into, who laid its cornerstone, when the stars of the morning uttered a cry, all the sons of God rejoiced?

Thus, the cornerstone refers to the Earth, and the Sons of God are angelic beings who carry out the will of God.

Classification of Dionysius the Areopagite

Dionysius the Areopagite "On the Heavenly Hierarchy"

The doctrine of the Christian doctrine of John of Damascus about the heavenly hierarchy was fully formulated and preserved in the orthodox church. The Sacred Parallels contain the structure of the heavenly angelic orders. The immeasurable number of angels and their precise hierarchical order are confirmed by Holy Letters, the Church Fathers and theologians. The classification and structure of the heavenly hierarchy is best described by Dionysius the Areopagite in his famous work “On the Heavenly Hierarchy.”

He bases his theory on the philosophy of Neoplatonism, in which the concept of hierarchy plays a fundamental role. According to the science of the greatest representatives of Neoplatonism - Plotinus and Proclus, everything is subject to a strict hierarchical order. Then more perfect things precede less perfect ones and perform in relation to them the function of support, protection and control. Dionysius borrows this theory to structure the angelic world.

At the top of the cosmic order he sees God. All other creatures are placed on different levels, taking into account their greater or lesser distance from God. They are like rays of light that are attracted to God as the ultimate goal of all perfection. In this process of returning to unity, hierarchical ranks play a fundamental role. God does not directly influence each nature, but acts on it through different orders.

It is on this concept that Dionysius builds his theological and spiritual platforms. According to it, the lower angelic ranks are guided, purified, illuminated and realized by higher images. The greater their participation in the divine nature, the closer they are to it. Consequently, the angelic ranks are capable of playing the role of intermediaries between God and people. Thus, having fixed the general principles of regulating the hierarchical structure of the cosmos, the author proposes his own classification of angels. He divided them into three large hierarchies, each containing three ranks or choirs.

Prayer on Sunday - Prayer to Archangel Barachiel

The events of Sunday are controlled by Archangel Barachiel. Its functions include sending God's blessing to the believer on earth for every good deed performed by him.

He prays on Sundays, addressing this Archangel in the following words:

“Holy Archangel Barachiel, who brings the blessing of the Lord to us unworthy and sinful people, I ask you to bless me for the successful start of a good work. Help me correct my unrighteous life to please my Savior, give me joy and positive emotions. Grant me the fulfillment of my desires, so that I can fill my life with meaning. Amen".

Highest or first celestial hierarchy

Seraphim on a fragment of a fresco by Theophanes of Crete, 16th century, Athos

The first level, or degree of hierarchy, belongs to the highest angelic ranks - these are seraphim, cherubim and thrones. Seraphim translated from Hebrew means “like fire.” These are divine supernatural beings that have six wings. They cover their faces, arms and legs with wings, flying in front of the Creator. The prophet Isaiah saw the seraphim hovering over the Ark of the Covenant and singing an angelic song.

Cherubim , like seraphim, are divine beings and are close to the Creator. They belong to the second angelic rank. In the Bible they are depicted with flaming swords. For example, a cherub with a flaming sword guards the entrance to the Garden of Eden. The prophet and psalmist David in the seventeenth psalm describes cherubim as a vehicle for the Creator. In the Book of Kings the epithet “He who sits on the cherubim” is used very often. The Book of Exodus also talks about cast gold cherubs. They were depicted on the Ark of the Covenant, facing each other.

Thrones follow the cherubs . These are the heavenly Minds that reveal Divine truth and serve God's justice. Then, before the One who sits on the exalted throne, there are God-bearing thrones. On them, as on reasonable thrones, God rests. By resting on them, God carries out His righteous judgment. So basically God's justice is done through them. They listen to His will, glorify Him, and pour out the power of God on the thrones of earthly judges so that kings and rulers can administer righteous judgment.

Middle or second degree of the angelic hierarchy

The Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century at the Council of Laodicea

The second degree of the dominance hierarchy is occupied by Dominations, Forces and Powers. They protect cities, villages, secular and spiritual authorities, churches, monasteries. In this way they serve Their Creator, fulfilling His holy will. Dominions, powers and authorities are appointed by God not only to protect cities, bishops, churches, earthly rulers, but even entire countries and states.

Lordship gives earthly rulers wisdom in managing earthly affairs. He teaches you to control your feelings, get rid of unnecessary desires and passions, and subordinate the flesh to the spirit. It also helps to dominate your will and overcome any temptation.

The forces are filled with the Supreme strength and carry out the Supreme will. They create great miracles and send the grace of miracles to the saints of God. With their help, they can cure diseases, predict the future and help those who need it. Strength strengthens any Christian in times of sorrow and trouble.

Power has influence on dark forces, tames the devil's power. They also protect people from sent temptations. The authorities do not allow the dark forces to harm anyone to the extent that they would like. Spirits also assist workers in spiritual matters and labors. The authorities protect them so that they do not lose the spiritual kingdom. They fight temptations and seductions, help repel the evil plans and slander of enemies.

Friday Prayer - Prayer to Selathiel

The patron saint of Friday is Selafiel. He leads a group of prayer Angels who send people’s prayers to God with their inspiring lips.

The Friday prayer to this Archangel sounds like this:

“Holy Archangel Selaphiel, grant your powerful prayer to me who prays, teach me to pray humbly, contritely, concentratedly, with sincerity and spiritual tenderness. Pray, Archangel Selaphiel, to the Lord to deliver me from all troubles and sorrows, illnesses and hardships, from vain death and eternal torment. Ask the Lord, the Lover of Mankind, for mercy for me and hope for the peace of my soul after death in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen".

Third or lowest degree of the hierarchy of angels

archangel Michael

The third stage is occupied by archangels and angels. They are classified as the lower angelic levels. Archangels are considered higher and more powerful than angels, nevertheless they belong to the third level. There are nine of them in total. Among them, three archangels stand out: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael rules over the heavenly angelic forces. Gabriel is considered the good news, since it was he who brought the news of the birth of Jesus Christ. Raphael, in turn, is considered a healer. Popular piety sees in him a prototype of the Guardian Angel.

archangel Michael

The name "Michael" is translated as "Who is like God." This is the archangel of God's justice, judgment, grace and mercy. He is considered one of the strongest heavenly spirits. Archangel Michael and his army fight the fallen who have rebelled against the Holy Father. Michael is usually represented with a sword in his hands, with which he defeats the dragon. Sometimes there is an image with scales on which he measures the good and bad deeds of the deceased.

Archangel Michael accompanies souls during the transition from the body to heaven. The Church asks Michael for help against Satan, the enemy of God and people. In many churches, after the mass, those present read a prayer to the Archangel Michael. He is the patron of the dying, fencers, jewelers, surveyors, radiologists, engravers, and grinders. Cemetery chapels are often named in his honor.

Archangel Gabriel

The name “Gabriel” is literally translated from Hebrew as “Lord of God.” Sometimes there are variants of Lord from God, God's Ruler. One of the seven archangels, “The Left Hand of the Lord.” Gabriel is considered God's messenger and messenger. Its appearance announces important events for all mankind that change the course of history. It was Gabriel who the Lord entrusted with the sacred mission of bringing the good news about the immaculate conception of the future mother of the Savior, about the salvation of the human race. The name of Archangel Gabriel is inextricably linked with the family of the Mother of God and the fact of the Annunciation. That is why the day after this great holiday, which Christians of the Eastern rite celebrate on April 7, a prayer meeting (cathedral) takes place in his honor.

The first mention of Gabriel is in the book of the prophet Daniel. Gabriel explained to him the meaning of the visions and informed him of the future of the Jewish people. The Archangel appeared in the desert before the prophet Moses, where he taught him to read and write. Announcing the origin of the world and the emergence of the first man, he inspired the prophets to write the Book of Existence. Gabriel notified the righteous Joachim and Anna about the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary from them. Appearing in the temple before Elder Zechariah, he predicted the miraculous conception and birth of John the Baptist - God's Forerunner.

According to some Church Fathers, Gabriel relentlessly guarded the Holy Family. Moreover, from the very moment of the message to the young Mary about her sacred mission. It was he who was the chosen messenger of the Lord to Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He assured him in a dream of the sinlessness of the Virgin Mary. From Gabriel, Joseph received a warning about Herod's bloody plans and an order to save the Baby and the Virgin Mary by escaping to Egypt. Archangel Gabriel was next to the Son of God at all the most significant moments of His life. Fully justifying the meaning of his name "God's Fortress", he was close to the Lord during His prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane he inspired and strengthened Him before future suffering. From the lips of the Archangel Gabriel, the women received news of the Resurrection of Jesus.

In many church books, Archangel Gabriel is called the “minister of miracles.” His repeated appearances to humanity in Old Testament and New Testament times highlight the diligent fulfillment of God's Will. He imparts to the human race the highest knowledge, informs about the most important events in the history of the religion of Christianity. The Orthodox Church calls not to forget about the service of Archangel Gabriel before the Lord and his care for Christians. Therefore, he invites us to diligently pray to him on the days dedicated to his memory: April 8, July 26 and November 21. On April 8, the first Council of the Archangel Gabriel (later the Annunciation) was held. The twenty-sixth of July - probably in honor of the construction of the Cathedral of St. Gabriel in Constantinople. November 21 is remembered during the celebration of the Council of Archangel Michael.

Archangel Raphael

Raphael appeared in the Book of Tobit, he is "one of the seven angels who always stand before the Creator and have access to the Lord's glory." In this book he appears in human form and takes the common name Azariah. In addition, he offers his company and tutelage to the young Tobit, who travels from Nineveh to Raga in Media. The Archangel saves him from many dangers, drives out the demon Asmodeus and heals the blind father Tobit. Raphael also frees Sarah, the future wife of Tobit, from the unclean spirit. The name Raphael means “God heals,” “Healing of God.”

Since they began to use the names of the seven Archangels from the Jewish apocrypha too quickly, the synods in Laodicea (361) and Rome (492 and 745) forbade calling them that. They only allowed the names of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael to be used because they appear in the Holy Letter. Already in the 7th century. In Venice there was a church named after Raphael. In the same century, the Spanish city of Cordoba declared him its patron.

Saint Archangel Raphael shows the goodness of Providence. He is honored as the patron saint of pharmacists, the sick, doctors, emigrants, pilgrims, travelers, fugitives, travelers and sailors. In iconography he is represented as a young man wearing the typical garb of an angel. Its attributes are a cross, a pilgrim’s staff, and sometimes fish and dishes.

Angels

In addition to the archangels, angels are distinguished in the Christian faith. The word “angel” translated from Greek means “messenger”. They are good spirits who carry out the will of Their Creator. At the same time, some of them protect people from evil, and therefore they are also called guardian angels. Guardian angels are bestowed by the Lord on man in the feast of the Sacrament of Baptism.

The number of spirits is not known exactly - only the Lord knows the exact number. We only know that there are a lot of them - “thousands of thousands.” Such countless numbers do not need any physical space for them. After all, they are disembodied spirits that have no physical dimensions. That is, their nature does not belong to our three-dimensional world.

Consequently, all of the above angelic orders, or the heavenly hierarchy, play an important role in the Christian life. They remind us of the Kingdom of Heaven and the invisible spiritual world. None of the people can comprehend this world with their minds.

Saturday Prayer - Prayer to Archangel Jehudiel

The sixth day of the week is controlled by Archangel Jehudiel. The Supreme Manager of the Lord's eternal blessings encourages believers for their sincere faith and protects them in difficult life situations. He is especially favorable to those who work for the glory of God.

The prayer to him is as follows:

“Holy Archangel Jehudiel, save me from grave laziness, strengthen my will, so that the desire to work for the glory of our Lord arises in my soul. You are a zealous defender of the glory of God, teach me to sincerely pray and glorify the Holy Trinity. Ask the Lord to forgive all my sins and cleanse my soul. Amen".