Seraphim
These are the highest order or choir of
angels. They are the angels who are
attendants or guardians before God's
throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy
Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". the
only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7.
One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a
live coal from the altar, cleansing him
from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two
cover their faces, two cover their feet,
and two are for flying.
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Cherubim
Cherubim rank after the seraphim and are
the second highest in the nine
hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old
Testament does not reveal any evidence
that the Jews considered them as
intercessors or helpers of God. They
were closely linked in God's glory. They
are manlike in appearance and
double-winged and were guardians of
God's glory. They symbolized then, God's
power and mobility. In the New
Testament, they are alluded to as
celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rv
4-6). Tradition describes them
as angels who have an intimate knowledge
of God and continually praise Him.
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Thrones
Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility,
Peace and Submisssion. They reside in
the area of the cosmos where material
form begins to take shape. The lower
Choir of Angels need the Thrones to
access God.
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Dominions
Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They
regulate the duties of the angels,
making known the commands of God.
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Virtues
Virtues are known as the Spirits of
Motion and control the elements. They
are sometimes referred to as "the
shining ones." They govern all nature.
They have control over seasons, stars,
moon; even the sun is subject to their
command. They are also in charge of
miracles and provide courage, grace, and
valor.
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Powers
Powers are Warrior Angels against evil
defending the cosmos and humans. They
are known as potentates. They fight
against evil spirits who attempt to
wreak chaos through human beings. The
chief is said to be either Samael or
Camael, both angels of darkness.
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Archangels
Archangels are generally taken to mean
"chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1
Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently
mentioned throughout the Bible. They may
be of this or other hierarchies as St.
Michael Archangel, who is a princely
Seraph. The Archangels have a unique
role as God's messenger to the people at
critical times in history and salvation as in
The Annunciation and Apocalypse. Of special significance is
St. Michael as he has been invoked as
patron and protector by the Church from
the time of the Apostles. The Eastern
Rite and many others place him over all
the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim.
He is described as the "chief of
princes" and as the leader of the forces
of heaven in their triumph over Satan
and his followers. The angel Gabriel
first appeared in the Old Testament in
the prophesies of Daniel, he announced
the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dn 9:21-27).
He appeared to Zechariah to announce the
birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11).
It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the
Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of
our Lord and Saviour. (Lk 1:26) The
angel Raphael first announces "I am the
Angel Raphael, one of the seven who
stand before the throne of God."
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Principalities In the
New Testament Principalities refers to
one type of spiritual (metaphysical)
being which are now quite hostile to God
and human beings. (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor
15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16;
2:10, 15) Along with the principalities
are the powers (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24;
Eph 1:21; 1 Pt 3:22; 2 Thes 1:7); and
cosmological powers (1 Cor 15:24; Eph
1:21; 3:10; Col 2:15);Dominions (Eph
1:21; Col 1:16) and thrones (Col 1:16).
The clarity of the New Testament witness
helps see that these beings were created
through Christ and for Him (Col 1:16).
Given their hostility to God and humans
due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over
them (ibid) expresses the reign of the
Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the
Lordship of Christ, which reveals God's
tremendous salvation in conquering sin
and death at the cross, and now takes
place in the Church. (Eph 3:10)
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Angels
These angels are closest to the material
world and human begins. They deliver the
prayers to God and God's answers and
other messages to humans. Angels have
the capacity to access any and all other
Angels at any time. They are the most
caring and socius to assist those who
ask for help.
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