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ANGELS and WHAT THEY DO
HIERARCHY of ANGELS
The rich imagery of Isaiah reveals that the Seraphim
are closest to the throne of God. This means that they perceive God in
the richest way possible for a created being and thus they have an unmatched
intellect, will and love. Below, icon "Two Archangels with Deesis (Christ)"
from the Dormition Cathedral (Moscow) late 1180s
FIRST CHOIR
1. Seraphim, 2. Cherubin, 3. Thrones - closest to
heaven concern themselves with contemplating the glory of God. It is the
6-winged Seraphim who sing the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts"
(Isaias 6:3).
++ 1. SERAPHIM ++
Seraphim (singular "Seraph"), mentioned in Isaiah
6:1-7,[3] serve as the caretakers of God's throne and continuously shout
praises: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled
with His Glory." The name Seraphim means "the burning ones." It is said
that the charity of the Seraphim burns like white heat in a flame. The
Seraphim have six wings; two covering their faces, two covering their genitals
("feet"), and two with which they fly.
++ 2. CHERUBIM ++
Cherubim have four faces: one of each a man, an
ox, a lion, and a griffon vulture. They have four conjoined wings covered
with eyes, and they have ox's feet. Cherubim guard the way to the tree
of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24)[4] and the throne of God (Ezekiel
28:14-16).[5] -- The cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24;[4] Exodus
25:17-22; 2 Chronicles 3:7-14; Ezekiel 10:12–14,[6] 28:14-16;[5] 1 Kings
6:23–28;[7] and Revelation 4:6-8. Cherubim are also the angels often depicted
as babies with wings in Christian art.
++ 3. THRONES ++
The "Thrones" (Gr. thronos) or Elders, are a class
of celestial beings mentioned by Paul of Tarsus in Colossians 1:16 (New
Testament). They are living symbols of God's justice and authority, and
have as one of their symbols the throne. These high celestial beings appear
to be mentioned again in Revelation 11:16. Also seeEzekiel 10:17, and vision
of Daniel 7 - 9). The Thrones are said to be the way by which God
accomplishes his judgements (St. Gregory).
SECOND CHOIR
4. Domininations, 5. Virtues, 6. Powers. The
second order of angels are charged with governing and ordering the laws
of the created universe.
++ 4. DOMINATIONS ++
The "Dominions" (lat. dominatio, plural dominationes,
also translated from the Greek term kyriotites as "Lordships") are presented
as the hierarchy of celestial beings "Lordships" in the De Coelesti Hierarchia.
The Dominions, regulate the duties of lower angels. It is only
with extreme rarity that they make themselves physically known to humans
and are believed to look like beautiful humans with feathered wings as
shown in art. They are also the angels who preside over nations.
++ 5. VIRTUES ++
The "Virtues" or "Strongholds" lie beyond the ophanim
(Thrones/Wheels). Their primary duty is to supervise the movements of the
heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. The
term also appears to be linked to the attribute "might", from a Greek root.
In Ephesians 1:21, which is also translated as "Virtue". They are
charged with giving the power with which to accomplish the ordering of
Nature.
++ 6. POWERS ++
The "Powers" (lat. potestas (f), pl. potestates),
or "Authorities", from the Greek exousies, (see Greek root in Eph 3:10)
appear to collaborate, in power and authority, with the Principalities
(Rulers). They are bearers of conscience and keepers of history. They are
also the warrior angels created to be completely loyal to God. Their
duty is to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their
name. Finally, the choir of Powers are given the duty to order out how
to execute what has been commanded. The choir of Powers direct the lower
choirs on how to order creation.
THIRD CHOIR
7. Principalities, 8. Archangels, 9. Angels (closest
to earth) concern themselves with creation and are the most familliar to
us.
++ 7. PRINCIPALITIES ++
"Principalities" (lat. principatus, pl.
principat?s) also translated as "Princedoms" and "Rulers", from the Greek
arche (see Greek root in Eph 3:10), appear to collaborate, in power and
authority with the Powers (Authorities). Shown wearing a crown and carrying
a sceptre, their duty is also said to be to carry out the orders given
to them by the Dominions and bequeath blessings to the material world.
Their task is to oversee groups of people. They are the educators and guardians
of the realm of earth. Like beings related to the world of the germinal
ideas, they are said to inspire living things to many things such as art
or science. Principalities are the leaders of the last order, and direct
the actual implementation of God’s will.
++ 8. ARCHANGELS ++
The word "arch-angel" comes from the Greek (archang?l?s),
meaning chief angel, a translation of the Hebrew (rav-mal'ákh) [9]
It derives from the Greek arch?, meaning to be first in rank or power;
which means messenger. The word is only used twice in the New Testament:
1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 1:9. Only archangels Michael and Gabriel
are mentioned by name in the New Testament.
++ 9. ANGELS ++
The "angels", (malakhim Greek for messengers),
are the lowest order of the angels, and the most recognized and are most
concerned with the affairs of living things. In this category of angels,
there are many different kinds with different functions. Archangels and
Angels actually carry out and execute what is to be done. They are the
messengers to mankind. This is why angels (such as Gabriel and Raphael)
are the choir sent to communicate with man. (see wiki)
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