Hierarchy and Orders

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Seraphim

Seraphim (plural; singular form is Seraph) – Isaiah saw the Seraphim in his famous vision. They stood above Jehovah as He sat on His throne (Isaiah. 6:2; 6). They are divine creatures from the Old Testament, associated with the Cherubim, and later taken to be angels. The root of Seraphim comes either from the Hebrew verb seraph (‘to burn’) or the Hebrew noun seraph (a fiery, flying serpent). Because the term appears several times with reference to the serpents encountered in the wilderness (Num. 21.8, Deut. 8.15; Isaiah 14.29; 30.6), it has often been understood to refer to “fiery serpents.” From this some suggest that the Seraphim were snake-like in form and in some sense “fiery” creatures or associated with fire.

They dwell in the presence of God and cleave to Him, and are immediately united to Him. They receive revelations of God before the other angels and then relate such information to them.

We identify them with the fire of healing and love. Each Seraph radiates powerful light – a light so powerful that the Thrones and Cherubim cannot look at them. It is said that anyone who lays eyes on a Seraph would instantly be incinerated due to its immense brightness (Isaiah notwithstanding). They are described as tall, with six wings and four heads, one for of the cardinal directions. They use one pair of wings to fly, one to cover their eyes (a token of humility), and one to cover their feet (a token of respect). They stand in the direct presence of God. They bear a general resemblance to the human figure in some aspects. Writers other than Isaiah describe them with a face, voice, feet, and hands. In this way, they passed from Jewish tradition to Christianity as angels.

They remain close to the Throne of God. In fact, they serve as caretakers of God’s throne and are always in His presence. They circle the Throne in perpetual adoration of God. Some scholars describe them as angels of unadulterated love, light and fire. The Seraphim that Isaiah saw hovered above and on both sides God’s throne, forming two opposite choirs and presenting antiphonal worship. Their occupation was two-fold: to celebrate the praises of Jehovah’s holiness and power and to act as the medium of communication between heaven and earth. From their antiphonal chant (“one called out to another”) we may picture them ranging in opposite rows on each side of the throne.

Cherubim

Cherubim – Name signifies “fullness of knowledge.” God often dispatches them to the physical realm to do specific tasks such as the expulsion of man from the Garden of Eden and the Annunciation of Christ. They remain on duty at the entrance of the Garden of Eden in order that man cannot find his way to Paradise to eat from the Tree of Life.

God directed Moses to place two golden Cherubim on the top of the Ark of the Covenant, where they are fastened to the Mercy Seat, and, facing each other, stretched out their wings so as to form a screen over the seat. Cherubim were also woven into or embroidered upon the inward curtain of the Tabernacle, and later the veil that opens into the Holy of Holies in the Temple proper.

Solomon instructed two Cherubim to be placed in the first Temple. They were made of olive wood, overlaid with gold. They had bodies ten cubits high, and stood on their feet like men. Length of their wings was five cubits.

They are filled by participation in Divine Wisdom, and through them, lesser orders of angels receive knowledge and wisdom. Their name means, “Streams of Wisdom.”

Thrones

Thrones – Lesser known group of angels, but as important. They are exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly things. Because of their high rank, they are worthy of fellowship with Jesus Christ and possess the highest knowledge that angels can have of the works of God. In fact, some say that the very essence of God’s Spirit is conveyed to and through these angels, who then pass on the message to men and/or lower classes of angels.

Thrones are known to be involved with justice in the heavens, and are some of the most powerful angels in service to God. Their primary function is to carry out or fulfill the divine justice of God. They have the ability to channel the energy and purpose of God and transmit that message to others. Because they retain such a high position and responsibility, they come closest of all angels to spiritual perfection.

Second Sphere– Dominions, Virtues, Powers

Dominions

Dominions — Some sources refer to them as the Hashmallim. Their primary function that God delegates to them is the task of regulating the duties of lower angels. As their name implies these angels present order to the lower ranks and will on occasion make themselves known to man. They preside over nations. The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of Angels, but they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their scepters or on the pommel of their swords. They are purified, illuminated and perfected by the divine Illuminations bestowed on them in a secondary manner through the first order of angels.

Virtues

Virtues – Responsible for the maintenance of the physical universe. Their primary duty is to supervise the movements of the heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. They possess great strength and appear to be “workhorses” of the angels.

Powers

Powers – Some sources list Powers as the bearers of conscience and the keepers of history. They sometimes serve as warrior angels, fiercely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace, but another theory states that Satan was the Chief of the Powers before his fall. They work diligently to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their name.

Third Sphere – Principalities, Archangels, Angels

Principalities

Principalities – We usually see these entities wearing a crown and carrying a scepter. Their duty also is to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and grant blessings to the material world. They oversee groups of people. As beings related to the world of the ideas, they inspire living things to many branches of knowledge such art and/or science.

Archangels

Archangels – We know Archangels from the Bible, but we don’t know as much as we may think. We usually associate these “chief” angels as the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. According to Dionysius the Areopagite, their principle service consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God’s will, which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order ( the angels), and through them, to men. St. Gregory says that the Archangels “strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.”

Archangels govern affairs of the messengers of the various realms. Their presence on earth usually signals great change. They can take human form and can cause occurrences or change the tide of events for/on behalf of humanity. They are perhaps the most confusing of the Angelic Orders in that we often use their rank for other angelic beings. In addition, they are among the few angelic beings mentioned specifically by name in the New Testament (See Jude 1:9 where the Archangel Michael contends with Satan over the body of Moses). Gabriel, although not specifically named an Archangel in the Scriptures, is generally regarded as such in Christian thought.

Angels

Angels – Messengers that commune with various life forms within the physical worlds. This Order includes guardian angels of mankind, and as such, are the most accessible angels to humans. They are more properly named angels by humans than those of higher rank because their Order is more directly in contact with humans.

We see them as spirit beings that exist to fulfill the tasks given to them by God. As their name suggests, they are chiefly messengers of God and/or higher Orders of angels. In Muslim tradition, two angels are assigned to each person at birth. One angel records the person’s good deeds while the second records bad deeds.

In Psalms, we learn the concept of “guardian angels”:

“For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalms 91: 11, 12.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Celestial Hierarchy : to understand about the celestial hierarchy it is important to know exactly what an angel is. Briefly it can be described as: a spiritual being that is believed to be much more powerful than a human. In Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other theologies an angel can be one who acts as a messenger, attendant or agent of God.

Regarding the celestial hierarchy, the majority of scholars believe that angels are divided into clearly defined ranks. Depending on the rank of the angel it will have separate honors and duties.
One of the most well known listings of the celestial hierarchy, or ranking of angels, is the one produced by the scholar Dionysius the Areopagite. This listing has a total of nine distinct orders of angels which in turn fall under three major headings known as choirs. Although it is common to find variations within all aspects of angology most listings contain the same ranks and the only difference is in the order that they are presented.

First Choir
1). Seraphim
2). Cherubim
3). Thrones

Second Choir
4). Dominations
5). Virtues
6). Powers

Third Choir
7). Principalities
8). Archangels
9). Angels

The Celestial Hierarchy Explained:

Seraphim: these are the angels that come first and are closest to the throne of God. They exist in the uppermost part of the hierarchy and their very name means ardor. They are said to encircle the throne, existing off the love emanated by God and unceasingly chant the Trisagion, "Holy, holy, holy...". This burning love keeps them ever close to God's Throne and they bear love and light to the lesser choirs of angels. It is also this fiery love which gives them the term 'fiery serpents'.

"In this form of fiery serpents, it is said that the light they give off is so intense, that not even other divine beings may look upon them. There is said to be four of these angelic beings. They are listed as the four holy beasts in the book of Revelation and are also described as angels with four faces and six wings."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name Seraphim clearly indicates their ceaseless and eternal revolution about Divine Principles, their heat and keenness, the exuberance of their intense, perpetual, tireless activity, and their elevative and energetic assimilation of those below, kindling them and firing them to their own heat, and wholly purifying them by a burning and all- consuming flame; and by the unhidden, unquenchable, changeless, radiant and enlightening power, dispelling and destroying the shadows of darkness."

Cherubim: are second to only the seraphim and their name signifies "fullness of knowledge". Characterised by a deep insight into God's secrets, the cherubim hold the knowledge of God and they truly possess the fullness of the divine science of heaven. "It is also they who are often sent to earth with the greatest of tasks; the expulsion of Man from the Garden of Eden and the Annunciation of Christ were both performed by cherubim". They enlighten the lesser choirs of angels and are to them the Voice of Divine Wisdom.

"They are described as the charioteers of God, steering the Ophanim. Contrary to paintings on greeting cards and new age book covers, the cherubim are not depicted as fat, winged babies. Instead they are described as sphinx like creatures in Assyrian lore, or the angels gracing the Ark of the Covenant and Solomon's temple in biblical terms."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name Cherubim denotes their power of knowing and beholding God, their receptivity to the highest Gift of Light, their contemplation of the Beauty of the Godhead in Its First Manifestation, and that they are filled by participation in Divine Wisdom, and bounteously outpour to those below them from their own fount of wisdom."

Thrones: form the last choir of the first' hierarchy which is the closest to the Divine Majesty. They are also known as the Ophanim. The primary function of these angles is to be God's chariot but they are also noted as meting out God's judgement. Their main characteristics are submission and peace, however they act with impartialness and humility to bring about the desires of the Lord.

"Having the most bizarre physical appearance of the celestial host, they are described a great wheels, covered with a great many eyes and glowing with light. One explanation given for this (besides them acting as God's chariot), is that they mark the end of the first Choir, where the emanations of God begin to take on more material forms and as such exist in a state of transition."

God's spirit is conveyed in a certain manner to these angels, who in turn pass on the message to men and the inferior angels.


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name of the most glorious and exalted Thrones denotes that which is exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly thing, and the supermundane ascent up the steep. For these have no part in that which is lowest, but dwell in fullest power, immovably and perfectly established in the Most High, and receive the Divine Immanence above all passion and matter, and manifest God, being attentively open to divine participations."

Dominations: are so called because "they rule over all the angelic orders charged with the execution of the commands of the Great Monarch." They are also known as the Hashmallim, whose purpose is to regulate the duties of the lower angels. They act as a form of middle management between the upper choir and the lower. Receiving their orders from the seraphim and cherubim these bright spirits make known to us the commands of God and ensure the cosmos remains in order. Their main virtue is zeal for the maintenance of the King's authority. Only on very rare occasions do they reveal themselves to mortals, instead they quietly concern themselves with the details of existence.


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name given to the holy Dominions signifies, I think, a certain unbounded elevation to that which is above, freedom from all that is of the earth, and from all inward inclination to the bondage of discord, a liberal superiority to harsh tyranny, an exemptness from degrading servility and from all that is low: for they are untouched by any inconsistency. They are true Lords, perpetually aspiring to true lordship, and to the Source of lordship, and they providentially fashion themselves and those below them, as far as possible, into the likeness of true lordship. They do not turn towards vain shadows, but wholly give themselves to that true Authority, forever one with the Godlike Source of lordship."

Virtues: also known as the Malakim and the Tarshishim, carry out the orders issued by the Dominations, they also have two main tasks; to maintain the aspects of the natural world, and to bestow blessings upon the material world. They are attributed with having strength and their assistance should be sought to combat the enemies of salvation. Their primary duty is to: "preside over the movements of the celestial bodies as well as events of weather including rain, snow, wind and the like". Their secondary duty is to: "take the orders given to them and in turn convert them into miracles for God's favored". Bouden states that: "It is through them also that God governs the seasons, the visible heavens and the elements in general, although angels of the lower hierarchy have charge of them."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name of the holy Virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies; not being weak and feeble for any reception of the divine Illuminations granted to it; mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the Divine Life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the superessential Virtue which is the Source of virtue: fashioning itself, as far as it may, in virtue; perfectly turned towards the Source of virtue, and flowing forth providentially to those below it, abundantly filling them with virtue."

Powers: are believed to be "the favorites among mortals" They hold one of the most dangerous tasks, maintaining the border between Heaven and Earth. Constantly on guard for demonic attacks, the powers act like an elite guard. They are appointed in a special way to fight against the evil spirits and to defeat any wicked plans.

"When we see storms gathering either in the Church or in the State, machinations to resist those who are working for the glory of God, extraordinary conspiracies to defeat some great good which is being planned for some diocese, city or country, then it is that we ought to perform frequent devotions in honor of these Powers of heaven, that they may overturn and destroy all the might and miserable plotting of hell." (Boudon).

During heavenly warfare they are a major line of defense. "They are also tasked with guarding the celestial byways between the two realms and ensuring that souls which leave the mortal world reach heaven safely. Perhaps not surpassingly, given their proximity to the nether regions, there are more angels from the ranks of the powers listed as fallen than from any other member of the hierarchy."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name of the holy Powers, co-equal with the Divine Dominions and Virtues, signifies an orderly and unconfined order in the divine receptions, and the regulation of intellectual and supermundane power which never debases its authority by tyrannical force, but is irresistibly urged onward in due order to the Divine. It beneficently leads those below it, as far as possible, to the Supreme Power which is the Source of Power, which it manifests after the manner of Angels in the wellordered ranks of its own authoritative power."

Principalities: are the head of the final choir and preside over the third hierarchy. They guide and protect the world's nations, towns and cities, directly watch over the mortal world and are executive in regard to the visible world of men. Religion and of politics are also guarded by them and, "as such, they are assumed to be given more freedom to act than the lesser angels below them and are responsible for carrying out divine acts concerning their area of jurisdiction. Finally, they are given to the task of managing the duties of the angels."

St. Thomas says of them:
"The execution of the angelic ministrations consists in announcing divine things. Now, in the execution of any action there are beginners and leaders; this-the leadership-belongs to the Principalities."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The name of the Celestial Principalities signifies their Godlike princeliness
and authoritativeness in an Order which is holy and most
fitting to the princely Powers, and that they are wholly turned towards
the Prince of Princes, and lead others in princely fashion, and that they are formed,
as far as possible, in the likeness of the Source of Principality, and reveal
Its superessential order by the good Order of the princely Powers."

Archangels: are normally described as important or special angels. However, here the term is used as the second to last rank in the celestial hierarchy. Archangels are entrusted with the more important missions to men. They act as the leaders in the divine army during battle and protect the Church under the leadership of St. Michael. They serve as guardians of guardians of great personages, such as the Holy Father, Cardinals, Bishops, Rulers of States, this includes others with special work to do for the glory of God upon earth. Finally they are charged with overseeing the duties of the angels.

The confusion about the collective celestial rank of archangels and archangels arises from " the ancient Hebraic way of defining angels which was simple angel and archangel. It was not until later that the hierarchy was defined, and many of the angels previous named as simply archangels were given new posts."


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"The choir of the holy Archangels is placed in the same threefold Order as
the Celestial Principalities; for, as has been said, there is one Hierarchy and Order
which includes these and the Angels. But since each Hierarchy has first, middle and
last ranks, the holy Order of Archangels, through its middle position, participates
in the two extremes, being joined with the most .holy Principalities and with the
holy Angels."

Angels: bring to a close the last choir in the hierarchy and they are ever ready to go wherever the will of God sends them. They have two major tasks: Firstly they are the ordinary messengers sent to men to watch over mortals in a more direct manner than the principalities. They tend to mirror the goodness of God and direct it toward mortals. They help to protect and keep safe from demonic attack; households and individual souls, instead of entire nations.

Secondly they carry God's word to mankind and act as messengers and couriers to both God and the upper ranks of angelkind. With a true sense of values, they minister to all, this ranges from sinners to the good and just. "In Hebrew, they are called mal'akh, meaning "messenger", in Persian the word is angaros or "courier"."

Above all they realise that serving God in any capacity is a very great honour.


Quote from Dionysius the Areopagite text:
"For the Angels, as we have said, fill up and complete the lowest choir of all the Hierarchies of the Celestial Intelligences since they are the last of the Celestial Beings possessing the angelic nature.
And they, indeed, are more properly named Angels by us than are those of a higher rank because their choir is more directly in contact With manifested and mundane things.

The highest Order, as we have said, being in the foremost place near the Hidden One, must be regarded as hierarchically ordering in a bidden manner the second Order; and the second Order of Dominions, Virtues and Powers, leads the Principalities, Archangels and Angels more manifestly, indeed, than the first Hierarchy, but in a more hidden manner than the Order below it; and the revealing Order of the Principalities, Archangels and Angels presides one through the other over the human hierarchies so that their elevation and turning to God and their communion and union with Him may be in order; and moreover, that the procession from God, beneficently granted to all the Hierarchies, and visiting them all in common, may be with the most holy order.

Accordingly the Word of God has given our hierarchy into the care of Angels, for Michael is called Lord of the people of Judah, and other Angels are assigned to other peoples. For the Most High established the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the Angels of God."
See also: Angels, Angel Magic, Archangels, Celestial, Celestial Bodies, Celestial Light, Dionysius the Areopagite, Fallen Host & Grigori.