Hierarchy of angels. Heavenly hierarchy of angels in orthodox Christianity

List of names of Angels of different religions part 1.

List of names of Angels of different religions and names of Fallen Angels
In Christianity, the host of angels is divided into three classes, or hierarchies, and each hierarchy, in turn, is divided into three faces. Here is the most common classification of angelic faces, which is attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite:

First hierarchy: seraphim, cherubim, thrones.
Second hierarchy:
domination, strength, power.
Third hierarchy: principles, archangels, angels.

ARCHANGELS

Archangel Michael (Who is like God, Who is equal to God). Leader of the heavenly army. The conqueror of Satan holds in his left hand a green date branch on his chest, and in his right hand a spear, on top of which is a white banner with the image of a red cross, in commemoration of the victory of the Cross over the Devil.

Archangel Gabriel (Fortress of God or Power of God). One of the highest angels appears in the Old and New Testaments as the bearer of joyful tidings. Depicted with candles and a jasper mirror as a sign that the ways of God are not clear until time, but are comprehended over time by studying the word of God and obedience to the voice of conscience.

Archangel Raphael (Healing of God or Healing of God). The doctor of human ailments, the chief of the guardian angels, is depicted holding a vessel (alavaster) with medicinal remedies (medicine) in his left hand, and in his right hand a pod, that is, a clipped bird feather for anointing wounds.

Archangel Salafiel (Angel of Prayer, Prayer to God). A man of prayer, always praying to God for people and rousing people to prayer. He is depicted with his face and eyes bowed (lowered) down, and his hands pressed (folded) with a cross on his chest, as if tenderly praying.

Archangel Uriel (Fire of God or Light of God). As an Angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths that are useful to them; like the Angel of Divine Fire, he inflames hearts with love for God and destroys impure earthly attachments in them. He is depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand against his chest, and a fiery flame in his left.

Archangel Yehudiel (Praise of God, Glorifier of God). The Archangel of God Jehudiel is depicted holding a golden crown in his right hand, as a reward from God for useful and pious works to holy people, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes with three ends, as a punishment for sinners for laziness in pious works

Archangel Barachiel (Blessing of God). The Holy Archangel Barachiel, the dispenser of God's blessings and intercessor, asking for God's benefits to us: is depicted carrying white roses on his chest on his clothes, as if rewarding, by the command of God, for the prayers, works and moral behavior of people.

Names of Angels of different religions and names of Fallen Angels
Abasdarhon -. angel of the fifth hour of the night
Abraxos - ancient name Creator of Angels.
Adnachiel - Angel who rules in November.
Adonael -. Archangel Adonai is one of the seven Angels, or Elohim; creator. Translated it means “My Lord.” Used by Jews instead of pronouncing the unpronounceable name of God.
Aeshma - Persian Archangel.
Af - Angel of Light.
Agla is the angel who saved Lot and his family.
Akriel is an angel who cures Infertility.
Amitiel - angel of truth.
Amriel - Angel rules in the month of May.
Anael -. Angel influencing love, passion and sexuality
Anapiel is an angel whose name means "division of God."
Anahel -. Angel who rules the third heaven.
Anpiel is an angel who protects birds.
Ansiel - "constrainer" name of the angel known as Arael - modification of Uriel; Prince over the people.
Araqiel - Angel with dominion over the Earth
Araton is one of the seven ruling angels over the provinces of Heaven.
Ariel - "lion of God"
Armisael - Angel of Protection
Asariel - "whom God has appointed to look beyond the boundaries;" Rules the Moon.
Asroilu - guardian angel in seventh heaven.
Astanphaeus - one of the seven angels of presence; Third gate keeper.
Asteraoth is the name of the angel who is responsible for nutrition
Atrugiel - The Grand Duke is in seventh heaven.
Aiyl - Angel of the zodiac sign Sagittarius.
Azbogah is the name of a high-ranking Angel of Judgment.
Azrael is the archangel of death.
Asriel is the name of the angel of destruction.
Balthioul - Angel with the power to prevent disasters
Baradiel - Angel of joy.
Barakiel -. Angel of Lightning
Barrattiel -. Angel of support
Barbiel -. Angela October
Bariel -. The ruling angel of the eleventh hour is the Angel of intellect.
Barquiel - Angel ruling the Seventh Hour of the Day.
Baruchiel - Angel in charge of nutrition.
Banya is the angel of Divine prophecy.
Bazazath - Archangel of the second heaven.
Bethor is one of the seven Angels of the ruling province of heaven.
Briathos - angel fights demons.
Cahethal - Seraphim Angel over agriculture.
Camael is a name that means "one who sees God," the chief angel of the powers.
Cassiel - Angel of Saturn.
Cerviel - Angel Ruler of the principality.
Chamuel is an Archangel whose name means "He who seeks God."
Chayyliel - angel whose name means "army"; Powerful Angel.
Cochabiel - Angel prince who stands before God.
Dabriel - Angel of the First Heaven who rules on Monday.
Dagiel is an angel who has power over fish.
Dalquiel -. Angela Prince of the Third Heaven
Damabiath - Angel of Naval Construction
Dardariel - Angel ruling the eleventh hour.
Diniel -. an angel who protects babies
Domiel - the angel guards the sixth hall in the seventh heaven.
Dubbiel - guardian angel of Persia; The name means "bear-god".
Dumas - Angel Prince
Duma is the angel of silence.
EAE is an angel who fights demons.
Eiael - Angel with power over the occult sciences.
Elyon is the ministry of the angel who brought the plague to Egypt.
Emmanuel - "God is with us" Angel whose name means
Erathaol is one of the seven great angels of the archon.
Eremiel is the great Angel who presides over the abyss and hell.
Gabriel - "MAN or Hero God." Archangel whose name means
Gadriel -. The angel who rules the fifth heaven
Galgaliel - Angel of the sun prince, like Raphael.
Galizur is the great Angel who rules the Second Heaven.
Gamaliel is the angel who will occupy the chosen one of heaven.
Gazardiel is the angel who controls the east.
Geburatiel - . The angel of the prince who guards the Seventh Heaven.
Guriel - Angel of the zodiac sign Leo.
Gzrel - an angel who cancels any evil decree against another in heaven
Hadraniel is an angel who stands at the second Gate to Heaven, "the Majesty of God".
Hadriel - Guardian Angel of the Gate of the East Wind.
Hagith is one of the seven angels who rule the provinces of Heaven.
Halaliel - Archangel known as the "Lord of Karma".
Hamaliel - Angel who rules the order of virtues.
Hamon is a big, honored, beautiful angel in the prince's heaven.
Haniel is an archangel who guards the Tree of Life.
Harahel is an angel who oversees libraries.
Hasdiel - Angel benevolance.
Hashmal - The Fiery Angel spoke about the Throne of God.
Hayliel - Angel in Prince. Seventh heaven
Haziel is an angel whose name means "vision of God."
Emana - Angel of the leader of the heavenly choir, whose name means "trust".
Hermesiel is an angel who leads one of the heavenly choirs.
Hofniel - Angel ruling Bene Elohim; It is called "God's Fighter".
Iaoel - Angel of the Lord, Angel of Visions.
Iaoth - Archangel who has the power to thwart demons.
Leo - breaks the angel with the demons.
Iofiel - Archangel whose name means "beauty of God."
Israfil - Islamic angel whose name means "burning one".
Jael is the CHERUB who guards the Ark of the Covenant.
Jahoel is one of the angels of the presence and chief of the Seraphim.
Jaoel - Guardian Angel who lives in the Seventh Heaven.
Idithuna is an angel whose name means "master of the Howl" or chanting of God.
Jefischa -. Angel of the ruling fourth hour of the night
Yehudiel -. Archangel who rules the movement of the heavenly spheres
Jeremiel is an Archangel whose name means "mercy of God."
Kabshiel -. Angel's mercy and favor
Kafziel - Archangel who is ruled by the planet Saturn.
Kakabel -. Angel who rules the stars and constellations
Kalaziel -. Angel who has the power to prevent Demons from disease
Karael is an angel who has. power to thwart the Demons
Kemuel - Angel archon and superior of Seraphim.
Kerubiel - Angel Prince of Cherubs.
Kokabiel - Angel Prince of the Stars.
Kutiel -. Angel of the waters and the use of diving rods
Labbiel is an angel whose name was changed to Raphael.
Lahabiel is an angel who protects from evil spirits.
Lamechial -. the angel who undermines deception
Lassuarium - Angel who rules the tenth hour of the night.
Laylah -. angel who controls and protects Rodos
Machidiel - Angel ruling the zodiac sign Aries and the month of March.
Marmaroth is an angel who has the power to thwart fate.
Mendrion - Angel who rules the seventh hour of the night.
Metatron is one of the Greatest Archangels, second only to God.
Michael is a great Archangel whose name means "Who is like God."
Mihr - angel of divine mercy; The angel who rules September.
Miniel - Angel are designed to evoke love.
Mitatron - angel of the Third Heaven.
Morael - Angel of fear that rules the months of August-September.
Moroni - brought the Messages of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormons.
Muriel - Angel who rules the dominions and the month of June.
Naaririel - Grand Duke Angel in seventh heaven.
Nagaliel - an angel who controls running streams; " Valley of God"
Nanael - angel who rules science and philosophy.
Narcariel - The angel who ruled the eighth hour of the night.
Nasargiel is a good angel with the head of a lion that rules hell.
Nathanael - Angel ruling over hidden things, fire and revenge.
Naya"il - Angel of testing.
Nelchael - Angel schemhamphorae.
Nuriel -. Angel's power and mesmerizing hail storms
Och - one ruling Angel of the regions of Heaven.
Omael -. Angel of chemistry and perpetuation of species
Onoel - name of the Archon Angel...
Ophaniel - Angel prince over ophanim.
Ophiel -. one ruling angel of the province of Heaven and Mercury
Oriel is the ruling Angel of the tenth hour of the day.
Orifiel - Archangel above the throne, and the second hour of the day.
Orphamiel - Angel Known as the "Finger of the Great Father".
Osmadiel - Angel decree Eight o'clock in the afternoon.
Ouriel - Archangel who commands demons.
Pamyel is the ruling Angel of the ninth hour of the night.
Pathiel is an angel whose name means "revealer of God".
Peliel -. Angel who rules virtues
Penuel - Angel who rules on Friday and is in the third heaven.
Pesagniyah is an angel who accompanies prayers to Mount Heaven.
Phaleg is one of the seven Angels of the ruling province of Heaven.
Phanuel - archangel who is the translator of Revelations.
Phounebiel - Angel illness breakdown.
Phul one of the seven ruling angels of the provinces of Heaven.
Pravuil -. Archangel ALL who hold the heavenly records
Pronoia - Archon Angel who helped make humanity.
purah - Angel of oblivion.
Puriel is an angel whose name means "God of Fire." angel of punishment.
Qaspiel is an angel who is ruled by the Moon.
Quabriel - Ruling Angel of the Ninth Hour of the Day
Rachiel - Angel ophanim WHO Rules and Venus. manages Sexuality
Rachmiel is the angel of mercy, whose name also means the same.
Radueriel is an angel who can create angels and controls other archives.
Raguel is an angel who monitors the behavior of angels, "a friend of God."
Rahab is the angel of death, destruction, but also the sea.
Rahatiel - Angel Prince of the Constellation; the name means "to run".
Rahmiel - Angel of mercy and love.
Ramiel is an angel who oversees visions and souls during the Last Judgment.
Raphael is a great Archangel whose name means "the shining one who heals."
Rathanael is an angel of the Third Demon Heaven and a thwarter.
Raziel - The chief angel above the throne, guarding the secrets of the Universe.
Remiel - Angel of the soul that leads to decision; the name means "mercy of God".
Rikbiel - angel who oversees the Divine Chariot; boss of wheels.
Rizoel - Angel with power to thwart Demons
Rogziel is an angel of punishment whose name means "Wrath of God."
Ruman is an angel who takes into account the deeds of evil men while in hell.
Hosts - Archon Angel of Presence.
Sabathiel -. an angel who communicates intelligence or Divine Light
Sablo - Angel of protection and mercy.
Sabrael - archangel who guards the first heavens.
Sabrathan - Angel ruling at one o'clock in the morning.
Sachiel is the ruling Angel of Jupiter, whose name means "The Covering of God".
Sagnessagiel - angel who guards the Fourth Hall in the Seventh Heaven.
Sahaqiel - Angel Prince of the Fourth Heavens.
Salafiel - the salvation of the angel Adam and Eve.
Samkiel - Angel Destruction and cleanse souls from the underworld.
Samuel is a fruling angel of the first hour of the day.
Sandalphon - Giant angel whose name means "joint brother" (from Metratron).
Saniel is the ruling Angel of the sixth hour of the day.
Sarakiel -. The angel who rules the angels
Sarandiel - Angel ruling the twelfth hour of the night.
Satqiel - Angel prince of the Fifth Heaven.
Seraphiel - chief angel Seraphim of angels.
Shamsiel is an angel whose name means "light of day." Shepherd - Angel of repentance.
Shoftiel - Angel whose name means "judge of God."
Sidqiel - Angel Prince ophanim;. ruler Venus.
Sidriel - Angel of the Prince in the First Heaven Simiel - Arkhangelsk.
Sizouze - Angel of prayer.
Sophia is an angel whose name means "wisdom".
Soqedhozi is an angel who weighs the merits of men before God.
Sorath -. angel who is the spirit of the sun
Sorush is an angel who punishes souls on Judgment Day.
Soterasiel is an angel whose name says "Who activates the fire of God."
Sraosha is the angel who sets the world in motion.
Suriel - ". God's commandment"The angel of healing, whose name means
Tagas - Manager of the Angel singing angels.
Tartys - ruling Angel Second hour at night.
Tatrasiel -. great angelic prince
Temeluch -. Angela is a caretaker who protects newborns and children
Temperance -. Angela elixir of life
Theliel - Angel Prince of Love. Tubiel -. Angela in summer
Tzadkiel - Guardian Angel of Justice and the Gate of the East Wind.
Ubaviel - Angel of the zodiac sign Capricorn.
Umabel - Angel of physics and astronomy.
Uriel is an excellent Archangel whose name means "God is my light."
Usiel - who stands as an angel before the throne. God
Uzziel is a cherubim angel whose name means “power of God.”
Varhmiel - Angel ruling the fourth hour of the day.
Vequaniel - Angel ruling the third hour of the day.
Verchiel is the ruling Angel in July and. Zodiac sign Leo
Vretiel - SWIFT in wisdom The Archangel is responsible for recording the Works of God.
Xathanael is the sixth Angel whom God created.
Yabbashael - Angel of the Earth
Yefefiah - an archangel who is a prince. Torah
Yehudiah -. benevolant angel of death
Yerachmiel is the archangel who rules the Earth.
Yeshamiel -. The angel who rules the zodiac sign Libra
Yofiel - Angel Prince of the Torah commander of 53 legions of angels.
Zaapiel -. Evil Punisher Angel Soul
Zaazenach - Angel ruling the sixth hour of the night.
Zabkiel - Angel who rules the throne.
Zachariel - Angel governor of Jupiter.
Zachriel is an angel who controls memories.
Zadkeil is the archangel who rules and stands in the presence of God in Heaven.
Zagzagel - Angel Prince of Torah and wisdom.
Zakzakiel - Angel of the Seventh Heaven.
Zaphiel - Angel ruler of the cherubs.
Zaphkiel - Archangel whose name means "knowledge of God."
Zarall - CHERUB angel who guards the ark.
Zazriel is an angel whose name means "power of God".
Zehanpuryu is a high-ranking angel whose name means "one who gives."
Zerachiel -. Angel of July and the sun
Zophiel is an angel whose name means "God's secret".

Zuriel - Angel ruler of the principality, whose name means "God is my rock."

The basis for the creation of church teaching about angels is the writtenin the 5th century, the book of Dionysius the Areopagite “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” (Greek “Περί της ουρανίας”, Latin “De caelesti hierarchia”), better known in the 6th century edition. The nine angelic ranks are divided into three triads, each of which has some peculiarity.

First triad – seraphim, cherubim and thrones - characterized by immediate proximity to God;

Second triad – strength, domination and power - emphasizes the divine basis of the universe and world dominion;

Third triad – beginnings, archangels and angels themselves - characterized by close proximity to humans.

Dionysius summarized what had been accumulated before him. Seraphim, cherubim, powers and angels are already mentioned in the Old Testament; in the New Testament dominions, principalities, thrones, powers and archangels appear.

According to the classification of Gregory the Theologian (4th century)The angelic hierarchy consists of angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, radiances, ascensions and intelligences.

According to their position in the hierarchy, the ranks are arranged as follows:

seraphim - first

cherubim - second

thrones - third

domination - fourth

strength - fifth

authorities - sixth

beginning - seventh

archangels - eighth

angels - ninth.

Jewish hierarchical structures differ from Christian ones because they appeal only to the first part of the Bible - the Old Testament (TaNaKh). One source lists ten ranks of angels, starting with the highest: 1. hayot; 2. Ofanim; 3. arelim; 4. hashmalim; 5. seraphim; 6. malakim, actually “angels”; 7. elohim; 8. bene Elohim (“sons of God”); 9. cherubs; 10. ishim.

In "Maseket Azilut" the ten angelic ranks are given in a different order:1. seraphim led by Shemuel or Yehoel; 2. Ofanim led by Raphael and Ophaniel; 3. cherubim, led by Kerubiel; 4. Shinanim, over whom Tzedekiel and Gabriel were placed; 5. tarshishim, whose leaders are Tarshish and Sabriel; 6. Ishim with Zephaniel at their head; 7. Hashmalim, whose leader is called Hashmal; 8. Malakim, led by Uzziel; 9. Bene Elohim, led by Hofniel; 10. Arelim, led by Michael himself.

The names of the elder angels (archangels) vary in different sources. Traditionally, the highest rank is attributed to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - three angels named by name in the biblical books; the fourth is usually added to them Uriel, found in the non-canonical 3 Book of Ezra. A common belief is that there are seven higher angels (associated with magical properties numbers 7), attempts to list them by name have been made since the time of 1 Book of Enoch, but there are too many discrepancies. We will limit ourselves to listing the “magnificent seven” adopted in Orthodox tradition: these are Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salafiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, Jeremiel, headed by the eighth - Michael.

The Jewish tradition also assigns an extremely high position to the archangel Metatron, who in earthly life was the patriarch Enoch, but in heaven turned into an angel. He is the vizier of the heavenly court and almost the deputy of God Himself.

1. Seraphim

Seraphim are angels of love, light and fire. They occupy the highest position in the hierarchy of ranks and serve God, taking care of his throne. Seraphim express their love for God by constantly singing psalms of praise.

In Hebrew tradition, the endless singing of the seraphim is known as"trisagion" – Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh (“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of the Heavenly Forces, the whole earth is full of his radiance”), considered a song of creation and celebration. Being the closest creatures to God, seraphim are also considered “fiery”, since they are enveloped in the flame of eternal love.

According to the medieval mystic Jan van Ruijsbroeck, the three orders of seraphim, cherubim and thrones never take part in human conflicts, but are with us when we peacefully contemplate God and experience constant love In our hearts. They generate divine love in people.

Saint John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos had a vision of angels: Gabriel, Metatron, Kemuel and Nathaniel among the seraphim.

Isaiah is the only prophet to mention seraphim in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), when he recounts his vision of fiery angels above the Throne of the Lord: "Each one had six wings: two covered the face, two covered the feet, and two were used for flight."

Another reference to the seraphim can be considered the book of Numbers (21:6), where a reference is made to “ fire snakes" According to the Second Book of Enoch (apocrypha), seraphim have six wings, four heads and faces.

Lucifer left the rank of seraphim. In fact, the Fallen Prince was considered an angel who outshone all others until he fell from God's Grace.

Seraphim – In Jewish and Christian mythologyangels especially close to God.The prophet Isaiah describes them this way: “In the year of the death of King Uzziah, I saw the Lord sitting on a high throne, and the edges of His robe filled the whole temple. The Seraphim stood around Him; each of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And they called to each other and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory/” (Is. 6. 1-3). According to the classification of Pseudo-Dionysius, together with the cherubim and thrones, the seraphim belong to the first triad: “... the most holy Thrones, the many-eyed and many-winged Orders, called in the language of the Jews Cherubim and Seraphim, according to the explanation of the Holy Scriptures, are in greater and more direct relation to the others

closeness to God... as for the name of the Seraphim, it clearly shows their incessant and everlasting desire for the Divine, their ardor and speed, their ardent, constant, unrelenting and unwavering swiftness, as well as their ability to truly elevate the lower ones to what is above, to excite and ignite them to the same heat: it also means the ability to scorch and burn. thereby cleansing them - always open. their unquenchable, constantly identical, light-forming and enlightening power. driving away and destroying all obscurity.

2. Cherubim

Word "cherub" means "fullness of knowledge" or "outpouring of wisdom."This choir has the power to know and contemplate God and the ability to understand and communicate divine knowledge to others.

3. Thrones

Term "thrones", or "many-eyed", indicates their proximity to the throne of God.This is the closest rank to God: they receive both their divine perfection and consciousness directly from Him.

Pseudo-Dionysius reports:

“So, it is right that the highest beings are dedicated to the first of the heavenly Hierarchies, since it has the highest rank, especially since the first Epiphanies and consecrations initially refer to it, as the closest to God, and the burning Thrones and the outpouring of wisdom are called

heavenly Minds because these names express their God-like properties... The name of the highest Thrones means that they

completely free from all earthly attachments and, constantly rising above the earthly, peacefully strive for the heavenly, with all their might

motionless and firmly attached to the truly Highest being,

accepting His Divine suggestion in complete dispassion and immateriality; It also means that they carry God and slavishly carry out His Divine commands.

4. Dominations

Holy dominions are endowed with sufficient power to rise above and free themselves from earthly desires and aspirations.Their duty is to distribute the responsibilities of the angels.

According to Pseudo-Dionysius, “the significant name of the holy Dominions... means a certain unservile and free from any low attachment to the earthly exaltation to the heavenly, not in any way shaken by any violent attraction to something dissimilar to them, but a dominion constant in its freedom, standing above of any humiliating slavery, alien to all humiliation, removed from all inequality to itself, constantly striving for true Dominion and, as much as possible, holyly transforming into perfect likeness to Him both itself and everything subordinate to it, not clinging to anything that exists by chance, but always completely turning to the truly existent and constantly participating in the sovereign likeness of God.”

5. Powers

The forces known as "brilliant or radiant" are angels of miracles, help, blessings that appear during battles in the name of faith.It is believed that David received the support of the Forces to fight Goliath.

The powers are also the angels from whom Abraham received his strength when God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The main duties of these angels are to perform miracles on Earth.

They are allowed to interfere with everything that concerns the physical laws on earth, but they are also responsible for enforcing those laws. By this rank, the fifth in the Hierarchy of Angels, humanity is given valor as well as mercy.

Pseudo-Dionysius says: “The name of the holy Powers means some powerful and irresistible courage, if possible imparted to them, reflected in all their God-like actions in order to remove from themselves everything that could reduce and weaken the Divine insights bestowed upon them, strongly striving for the imitation of God, not remaining idle from laziness, but steadily looking at the highest and all-strengthening Power and, as far as possible, becoming Her image according to its own strength, completely turned to Her as the source of Power and descending God-like to the lower powers to impart power to them.”

6. Authorities

Authorities are on the same level as dominions and powers, and are endowed with power and intelligence second only to God's. They provide balance to the universe.

According to the Gospels, authorities can be both good forces and minions of evil. Among the nine angelic ranks, the authorities close the second triad, which in addition to them also includes dominions and powers. As Pseudo-Dionysius said, “the name of the holy Powers signifies a Order equal to the Divine Dominions and Powers, harmonious and capable of receiving Divine insights, and a structure of premium spiritual dominion, which does not autocratically use the granted sovereign powers for evil, but freely and decently to the Divine as itself ascending , so holyly bringing others to Him and, as far as possible, becoming like the Source and Giver of all power and depicting Him... in the completely true use of His sovereign power.”

7. Beginnings

The principles are legions of angels protecting religion.They constitute the seventh choir in the Dionysian hierarchy, immediately preceding the archangels. The beginnings give strength to the peoples of the Earth to find and survive their destiny.

They are also believed to be the guardians of the peoples of the world. The choice of this term, like the term “authority,” to designate the orders of the angels of God is somewhat questionable, since c. The book of Ephesians refers to the “principalities and powers” as “the spirits of wickedness in high places” against which Christians must fight (“Ephesians” 6:12).

Among those considered “chief” in this order are Nisroc, an Assyrian deity who is considered in occult scriptures to be the chief prince of the demon of hell, and Anael, one of the seven angels of creation.

The Bible says: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor

Beginnings, neither Powers, nor the present, nor the future... can separate us

from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 8.38). By

classification of Pseudo-Dionysius. beginnings are part of the third triad

along with the archangels and the angels themselves. Pseudo-Dionysius says:

“The name of the heavenly Principalities means the God-like ability to command and control in accordance with the sacred order befitting the commanding Powers, both to turn entirely to the Beginningless Beginning, and to others, as is characteristic of the Principality, to guide Him, to imprint in oneself, as far as possible, the image of the inaccurate Beginning, etc. finally, the ability to express His supreme superiority in the well-being of the commanding Powers..., The heralding order of the Principalities, Archangels and Angels alternately commands over the human Hierarchies, so that the ascension and turning to God, communication and unity with Him, which from God graciously extends to all Hierarchies, begins through communication and flows out in the most sacred orderly order.”

8. Archangels

Archangels - The word is of Greek origin and is translated as “chief angels”, “senior angels”.The term “Archangels” appears for the first time in Greek-language Jewish literature of pre-Christian times (Greek translation of the “Book of Enoch” 20, 7) as a rendering of expressions like (“grand prince”) in the application to Michael of the Old Testament texts (Dan. 12, 1); then this term is perceived by the New Testament authors (Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4, 16) and later Christian literature. According to the Christian celestial hierarchy, they rank directly above the angels. Religious tradition has seven archangels. The main one here is Michael the Archangel (Greek “supreme military leader”) - the leader of the armies of angels and people in their universal battle with Satan. Michael's weapon is a flaming sword.

Archangel Gabriel - best known for his participation in the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the birth of Jesus Christ. As a messenger of the hidden secrets of the world, he is depicted with a flowering branch, with a mirror (reflection is also a way of knowledge), and sometimes with a candle inside a lamp - the same symbol of a hidden sacrament.

Archangel Raphael - known as the heavenly healer and comforter of the afflicted.

Four other archangels are mentioned less frequently.

Uriel - this is heavenly fire, the patron saint of those who devoted themselves to the sciences and arts.

Salafiel - the name of the supreme servant with whom prayer inspiration is associated. On icons he is depicted in a prayerful pose, with his hands folded crosswise on his chest.

Archangel Yehudiel - blesses ascetics and protects them from the forces of evil. In his right hand he has a golden crown as a symbol of blessing, in his left hand there is a scourge that drives away enemies.

Barachiel - the role of dispenser of heavenly blessings was assigned to ordinary workers, primarily farmers. He is depicted with pink flowers.

The Old Testament legend also speaks of seven heavenly archangels. Their ancient Iranian parallel is the seven good spirits of Amesha Spenta(“immortal saints”) finds a correspondence with the mythology of the Vedas.This points to the Indo-European origins of the doctrine of the seven archangels, which in turn correlates with the most ancient ideas of people about the sevenfold structures of being, both divine and earthly.

9. Angels

Both Greek and Hebrew words expressing the concept"angel" means "messenger". Angels often played this role in the texts of the Bible, but its authors often give this term another meaning. Angels are God's incorporeal helpers. They appear as people with wings and a halo of light around their heads. They are usually mentioned in Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious texts. Angels have the appearance of a man, “only with wings and dressed in white robes: God created them from stone”; angels and seraphim - women, cherubim - men or children)<Иваницкий, 1890>.

Good and evil angels, messengers of God or the devil, converge in a decisive battle described in the book of Revelation. There may be angels ordinary people, prophets, inspiring good deeds, supernatural bearers of all kinds of messages or mentors, and even impersonal forces, like the winds, cloud pillars or fire that guided the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Plague and pestilence are called evil angels. St. Paul calls his illness “the messenger of Satan.” Many other phenomena, such as inspiration, sudden impulses, providences, are also attributed to angels.

Invisible and immortal. According to the teachings of the church, angels are genderless invisible spirits, immortal from the day of their creation. There are many angels, which follows from the Old Testament description of God - “Lord of hosts.” They form a hierarchy of angels and archangels of the entire heavenly army. The early church clearly distinguished nine types, or "orders," of angels.

Nameless spirits. Other angels are also mentioned in Scripture, such as a spirit with a fiery sword who blocked Adam's path back to Eden; cherub and seraphim, depicted in the form of thunderclouds and lightning, which recalls the belief of the ancient Jews in the god of thunderstorms; the messenger of God, who miraculously rescued Peter from prison, in addition, the angels who appeared to Isaiah in his vision of the heavenly court: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the whole temple. Seraphim stood around Him; each of them has six wings; With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”

Hosts of angels appear several times in the pages of the Bible. Thus, a choir of angels announced the birth of Christ. Archangel Michael commanded a large heavenly army in the battle against the forces of evil. The only angels in the Old and New Testaments who have their own names are Michael and Gabriel, who brought Mary the news of the birth of Jesus. Most angels refused to name themselves, reflecting the popular belief that revealing the name of a spirit diminishes its power.

Greek word ἄγγελος - “angelos”, direct translation of ancient Hebrew. מלאך - “mal’akh” with the same meaning, from the archaic root of ancient Hebrew. לאכ - “to send”, witnessed [ source?] in Ugaritic language; directly [ source?] the Arabic word ملاك ‎ is borrowed from Hebrew malak.

In the scriptures of the Abrahamic religious tradition

In the Old Testament

Some theologians in Christianity and Judaism are of the opinion that in Gen. it speaks of angels who once married people, giving birth to giants (nephalems). To do this, they incarnated into a human body and descended to earth:

At that time there were giants (nephalem) on the earth, especially from the time when the sons of God began to come in to the daughters of men, and they began to give birth to them: these are strong people, glorious people from ancient times.

These views are set forth in the apocryphal books of Enoch and Jubilees; this opinion was shared by many early Christian authors (Justin the Philosopher, Irenaeus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Ambrose, etc.). Currently, these views are also held by Jehovah's Witnesses. Most of the Church Fathers famous for their exegetical works (John Chrysostom, Ephraim the Syrian, Blessed Theodoret, Cyril of Jerusalem, Jerome, Augustine, etc.) were of the opinion that the “sons of God” here meant the pious Sethites (descendants of Seth).

There are also versions based on Jude. that the angels mentioned here are the same ones who “did not preserve their dignity, but left their home” and for this they were punished by God “in eternal chains, under darkness”

In the New Testament

In most translations of the Bible, when mentioning the fallen and all kinds of sinners (those who opposed God), they use lowercase letter, and when mentioning the holy Angels - capitalize.

Angel with a flower. 14th century

In the Koran

In Abrahamic religions

In Judaism

Among the seven angels of the Jewish religion, only three are named in the Tanakh (Old Testament) by name: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The other four, Oriel, Reguel, Sariel and Jerahmiel, are mentioned in non-canonical literature (Book of Enoch). It is believed that four angels stand before the throne of God and guard the four cardinal directions: Michael, Gabriel, Oriel and Raphael.

In Kabbalah

In the angelic world, God established a strict hierarchy of 9 angelic ranks: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, Angels. The leader of the entire angelic army, Dennitsa, the most powerful, talented, beautiful and close to God, was so proud of his highest position among the other angels that he refused to recognize man as a being equal in abilities to God (meaning man’s ability to create and see the essence of things), that is, higher than him, he himself wanted to become higher than God, and because of which he was overthrown. Moreover, he managed to seduce many angels from different ranks. And at that moment, Archangel Michael called on those who hesitated to remain faithful to God, led an army of bright angels and struck Dennitsa (who began to be called the devil, Satan, the evil one, etc., and other fallen angels - demons, demons, devils, etc.). And there was a war in Heaven, as a result of which the evil spirits were cast into the “underworld of the earth,” that is, into hell, where they organized themselves into the kingdom of Beelzebub, with the same angelic hierarchy. Fallen spirits are not completely deprived of their former power and, by God’s permission, can inspire people with sinful thoughts and desires, guide them and cause them pain. But good angels also help people, of whom there are more than demons (the Apocalypse says that the serpent (Lucifer) carried away a third of the stars (angels)).

However, the name of a spirit is not the same as the name of a person. God is Spirit, and as Spirit, he names a being not by what is transitory, but by Glory. The Angel's name is the name of his glory. The names of some (in the Orthodox tradition - seven) Angels (Archangels) are revealed to people: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Yehudiel, Selaphiel, Barachiel. Moreover, the first four Angels are considered “biblical”, that is, their names are directly named in Scripture, and the last three are known from Tradition.

The image and functions of Piresti go back to ancient Iranian culture: Avest. Fravashi - giver of life, protector, guardian spirit, eternal souls of ancestors in the form of birds; Persian. Fereshte - angel, messenger.

In other sources

In mythology, the Rose of the World

Angels of the Highest Circle:

Archangels- the guardians of strength and wisdom are also the most terrible punishment of the Lord.
Cherubim- guardians of light missions,
Seraphim- guardians of some human communities (churches, communities, ethical associations),
Thrones- guardians of nations.

Angels of the Lower Circle:

Astrals or Authorities- creators of Enrof materiality,
Powers- creators of materiality sakuala daimons,
Dominations- creators of the materiality of the worlds of enlightenment, except Olirna,
Beginnings- creators of the materiality of zatomis,

The angels of the lower circle were once angelic humanity, and lived in Olirna. The Sirins, Alkonosts, and Gamayuns of Christian metacultures become archangels.

Notes

Literature

Ivan Benchev. Angel icons. Images of heavenly messengers. M., Interbook-Business, 2005.
Andreev I. Apocrypha. - In: Christianity: Encyclopedic Dictionary.
Averintsev S. Angels, Archangels. - In: Myths of the peoples of the world, T. 1. M.,
Sophie Burnham. A book about angels: Reflections on angels from the past to the present day, and how they relate to our lives. M., Home shopping, 2001.
Vasily (Krivoshein), archbishop. Brussels and Belgian. Angels and demons in spiritual life according to the teachings of the Eastern Fathers. St. Petersburg, Satis, 2002, 56 p.
The Book of Angels: An Anthology of Christian Angelology. St. Petersburg, Amphora, 2005, 560 p.
Ya. E. Zelenina, M. N. Krechetova. Guardian Angel // Orthodox Encyclopedia. Volume II. - M. : Church and Scientific Center “Orthodox Encyclopedia”, 2000. - pp. 308-310. - 752 s. - 40,000 copies. - ISBN 5-89572-007-2
M. S. Ivanov. Heavenly Host // Orthodox Encyclopedia. Volume IX. - M. : Church and Scientific Center “Orthodox Encyclopedia”, 2005. - pp. 209-210. - 752 s. - 39,000 copies. - ISBN 5-89572-015-3

Links

Both the Greek and Hebrew words for "angel" mean "messenger." Angels often played this role in the texts of the Bible, but its authors often give this term another meaning. Angels are God's incorporeal helpers. They appear as people with wings and a halo of light around their heads. They are usually mentioned in Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious texts. Angels have the appearance of a man, “only with wings and dressed in white robes: God created them from stone”; angels and seraphim - women, cherubim - men or children)<Иваницкий, 1890>.

Good and evil angels, messengers of God or the devil, converge in a decisive battle described in the book of Revelation. Angels can be ordinary people, prophets, inspiring good deeds, supernatural bearers of all kinds of messages or mentors, and even impersonal forces, like the winds, cloud pillars or fire that guided the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Plague and pestilence are called evil angels. St. Paul calls his illness “the messenger of Satan.” Many other phenomena, such as inspiration, sudden impulses, providences, are also attributed to angels.

Angels served as intermediaries between God and his people. The Old Testament says that no one could see God and live, so direct communication between the Almighty and man is often depicted as communication with an angel. It was the angel who prevented Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. Moses saw an angel in a burning bush, although the voice of God was heard. An angel led the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. At times, the biblical angels appear just like mortals until their true nature is revealed, like the angels who came to Lot before the horrific destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Nameless spirits. Other angels are also mentioned in Scripture, such as a spirit with a fiery sword who blocked Adam's path back to Eden; cherub and seraphim, depicted in the form of thunderclouds and lightning, which recalls the belief of the ancient Jews in the god of thunderstorms; the messenger of God, who miraculously rescued Peter from prison, in addition, the angels who appeared to Isaiah in his vision of the heavenly court: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the whole temple. Seraphim stood around Him; each of them has six wings; With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”

In Christianity, the host of angels is divided into three classes, or hierarchies, and each hierarchy, in turn, is divided into three faces. Here is the most common classification of angelic faces, which is attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite:

First hierarchy: seraphim, cherubim, thrones. Second hierarchy: domination, strength, power. Third hierarchy: principles, archangels, angels.

Seraphim Those belonging to the first hierarchy are absorbed in eternal love for the Lord and reverence for Him. They immediately surround His throne. Seraphim, as representatives of Divine Love, most often have red wings and sometimes hold lit candles in their hands.

Cherubim know God and worship Him. They, as representatives of Divine Wisdom, are depicted in golden yellow and blue colors. Sometimes they have books in their hands.

Thrones support the throne of God and express Divine Justice. They are often depicted in the robes of judges with a rod of power in their hands. They are believed to receive glory directly from God and bestow it on the second hierarchy.

The second hierarchy consists of dominions, powers and authorities, which are the rulers of the heavenly bodies and elements. They, in turn, shed upon the third hierarchy the light of glory they have received.

Dominations wear crowns, scepters and sometimes orbs as symbols of power. They symbolize the power of the Lord.

Powers they hold in their hands white lilies or sometimes red roses, which are symbols of the Passion of the Lord.

Authorities often dressed in the armor of warriors - conquerors of evil forces.

Through the third hierarchy, contact is made with the created world and with man, for its representatives are the executors of the will of God. In relation to man, the principles control the destinies of nations, archangels are heavenly warriors, and angels are messengers of God to man. In addition to the listed functions, the host of angels serves as a heavenly choir.

This plan for the arrangement of the celestial served as the basis for the creation and theological justification of the structure of the celestial spheres as the basis of the medieval picture of the world. According to this plan, the cherubim and seraphim are responsible for the Primum mobile and the sphere of the fixed stars, the thrones - for the sphere of Saturn, the dominions - of Jupiter, the powers - of Mars, the powers - of the Sun, the principles - of Venus, the archangels - of Mercury, the angels - of the Moon , the celestial bodies closest to Earth.

Beginnings- these are legions of angels protecting religion. They constitute the seventh choir in the Dionysian hierarchy, immediately preceding the archangels. The beginnings give strength to the peoples of the Earth to find and survive their destiny.
They are also believed to be the guardians of the peoples of the world. The choice of this term, like the term “authorities,” to designate the orders of the angels of God is somewhat questionable, since c. In the Epistle to the Ephesians, the “principalities and powers” are called “the spirits of wickedness in high places” against which Christians must fight (“Ephesians” 6:12).
Among those considered "chief" in this order are Nisroc, an Assyrian deity who is considered by occult scriptures to be the chief prince - the demon of hell, and Anael - one of the seven angels of creation.
The Bible says: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 8.38). By
classification of Pseudo-Dionysius. the beginnings are part of the third triad along with the archangels and the angels themselves. Pseudo-Dionysius says: “The name of the heavenly Principalities means the God-like ability to command and govern in accordance with the sacred order befitting the commanding Powers, both themselves wholly turn to the Beginningless Beginning, and others, as is characteristic of the Principality, to guide Him, to imprint in oneself as much as possible, the image of an imprecise Principle and, finally, the ability to express His supreme superiority in the improvement of the commanding Forces..., The heralding rank of Principalities, Archangels and Angels alternately rules over the human Hierarchies, so that the ascent and turning to God, communication and unity with Him, which from God graciously extends to all Hierarchies, begins through communication and pours out in the most sacred harmonious order."

ARCHANGELS

archangel Michael(Who is like God, Who is equal to God). Leader of the heavenly army. The conqueror of Satan holds in his left hand a green date branch on his chest, and in his right hand a spear, on top of which is a white banner with the image of a red cross, in commemoration of the victory of the Cross over the Devil.

Archangel Gabriel (Fortress of God or Power of God). One of the highest angels appears in the Old and New Testaments as the bearer of joyful tidings. Depicted with candles and a jasper mirror as a sign that the ways of God are not clear until time, but are comprehended over time by studying the word of God and obedience to the voice of conscience.

Archangel Raphael(Healing of God or Healing of God). The doctor of human ailments, the chief of the guardian angels, is depicted holding a vessel (alavaster) with medicinal remedies (medicine) in his left hand, and in his right hand a pod, that is, a clipped bird feather for anointing wounds.

Archangel Salafiel (Angel of Prayer, Prayer to God). A man of prayer, always praying to God for people and rousing people to prayer. He is depicted with his face and eyes bowed (lowered) down, and his hands pressed (folded) with a cross on his chest, as if tenderly praying.

Archangel Uriel(Fire of God or Light of God). As an Angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths that are useful to them; like the Angel of Divine Fire, he inflames hearts with love for God and destroys impure earthly attachments in them. He is depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand against his chest, and a fiery flame in his left.

Archangel Yehudiel (Praise of God, Glorifier of God). The Archangel of God Jehudiel is depicted holding a golden crown in his right hand, as a reward from God for useful and pious works to holy people, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes with three ends, as a punishment for sinners for laziness in pious works

Archangel Barachiel (God's blessing). The Holy Archangel Barachiel, the dispenser of God's blessings and intercessor, asking for God's benefits to us: is depicted carrying white roses on his chest on his clothes, as if rewarding, at the command of God, for the prayers, works and moral behavior of people.

ANGELS

Angels live in the world of the Spirit, the heavenly world, and we live in the world of matter. Naturally they are drawn to home. Therefore, if you want the Angels to feel comfortable with you, you need to make your world - thoughts, feelings, environment - more similar to their world. To paraphrase “The Epistle of James”, we can say this: approach the Angels and they will approach you. (James A:8). Angels feel good surrounded by thoughts of peace and love, and not in an atmosphere of irritation and aggression. Perhaps you are unable to get out of your head, say, a rude driver who cut you off on the road in winter. However, it is quite possible to free yourself from irritation by starting to communicate with angels for at least a few minutes a day. Get rid of the irritants first. Turn off the radio and TV, go to a separate room or to your favorite corner of nature; imagine angels (an image of your beloved angel, placed nearby) and communicate with them. Just tell the angels about your problems. Speak as if you are sharing with yourself best friend. And then listen. Be silent and wait for the thoughts that the angels will send you to arrive. And soon your relationship with the angels will turn into an upward spiral; they will help you feel more positive. And a positive state will bring you closer to the angels.

Avdiel. The name Abdiel is first mentioned in the Bible (1 Chronicles), where he is a mere mortal, a resident of Gilead. Further, in historical and religious books, Abdiel (which means “servant of God”) is described as an angel.
The first mention of the angel Abdiel is found in the “Book of the Angel Raziel,” written in Hebrew in the Middle Ages. However, the most Full description The deeds of Abdiel are given in John Milton's book Paradise Lost, which retells the story of Satan's rebellion against God. During this rebellion, Abdiel was the only angel who remained faithful to God and refused to rebel against him.
Satan tried to convince Abdiel that it was he and his followers who were destined to rule in the kingdom of heaven, to which Abdiel objected that God is more powerful, since He created Satan, and not vice versa. Satan said that this was just another lie from the Father of Lies. Abdiel did not believe him, pushed aside the other rebel angels and struck Satan with a “powerful blow of the sword.”
Avdiel is also mentioned in “The Revolt of the Angels” by Anatole France, but here he appears under the name Arcade.

Adrammelech("king of fire") is one of the two throne angels, usually associated with the angel Asmodeus, and also one of the two mighty thrones present in Milton's Paradise Lost. In demonology, he is mentioned as the eighth of the ten major demons and as the great servant of the Order of the Flies, an underground order founded by Beelzebub. Rabbinic literature reports that if Adrammelech is invoked by incantation, he will appear in the form of a mule or a peacock.
Adrammelech, who is identified with the Babylonian Anu and the Ammonite Moloch, is mentioned in various sources, such as, for example, "The History of Magic", where he appears in the guise of a horse; he is considered the god to whom the children of the Sepharawi colony in Samaria are sacrificed, he is mentioned both as an idol of the Assyrians and as a fallen angel defeated in battle by Uriel and Raphael.

Azazel(Aramaic: רמשנאל, Hebrew: עזאזל, Arabic: عزازل) - according to the beliefs of the ancient Jews, he is a demon of the desert.
The legend about Azazel as one of the fallen angels arose quite late (no earlier than the 3rd century BC) in the Jewish environment, and was recorded, in particular, in the famous apocryphal book of Enoch. In the book of Enoch, Azazel is the leader of the antediluvian giants who rebelled against God. He taught men to fight, and women - the art of deception, seduced people into godlessness and taught them debauchery. In the end he was tied, by God's command, to a desert rock. This is what apocryphal literature tells.
In the Pentateuch and in Talmudic literature, the name Azazel is associated with the idea of a general atonement for the sins of the people. This idea was embodied in a special ritual: two goats were brought; one was intended (by lot) for the “Lord” as a sacrifice, the other for the remission of sins. The latter was “released” into the desert, and then thrown into the abyss from a cliff. It was he who was called the “scapegoat.” In non-Jewish translations, and later in Jewish tradition, the word "Azazel" came to be seen as the name of this goat.

Asmodeus. The name Asmodeus means "creature (or being) of judgment." Originally a Persian demon, Asmodeus later entered the scriptures where he was known as the "furious devil." Asmodeus (also known by the names Saturn and Marcolf, or Morolf) is responsible for the creation of the carousel, music, dance and drama.
In legends, Asmodeus is considered the father-in-law of the demon Bar-Shalmon. Demonologists claim that to summon Asmodeus, you must bare your head, otherwise he will deceive the caller. Asmodeus also takes care of gambling houses.

Belphegor(God of Discovery) was once an angel in the rank of principles - the lower triad in the traditional hierarchy of angels, consisting of nine ranks or ranks. Later, in ancient Moab, he became the god of debauchery. In Hell, Belphegor is the demon of invention, and when summoned, he appears in the guise of a young woman.

Dabbiel(also Dubiel, or Dobiel) is known as the guardian angel of Persia. In ancient times, the fate of each nation was determined by the actions of a guardian angel who represented that nation in heaven. The angels fought among themselves in order to win the mercy of God, which would decide the fate of each specific people.
At that time, Israel's guardian angel, Gabriel, was deprived of God's mercy because he allowed himself to intervene when the angry Lord wanted to destroy Israel. Gabriel's attempts to stop the Lord were partially successful; Although most of Israel was devastated, some noble Jews managed to escape and were taken into captivity by the Babylonians.
Dabbiel was allowed to take Gabriel's place in the circle close to the Lord, and he immediately took advantage of this situation. He soon arranged for the Persians to conquer large swathes of territory, and the great expansion of Persia in the period from 500 to 300 IT. BC. was considered the merit of Dabbiel. However, his power lasted only 21 days, and then Gabriel convinced God to allow him to return to his rightful place, removing the ambitious Dabbiel from there.

Zagged- the angel of the "burning bush" who played an important role in the life of Moses. He is the chief of the guards of the Fourth Heaven, although it is said that he resides in the Seventh Heaven - the dwelling of God.

Zadkiel. The name Zadkiel (other spellings: Tzadkiel or Zaidkiel) means "the righteousness of God." Various religious scriptures describe Zadkiel's appearance in different ways. Zadkiel is one of the leaders who assists Michael when the archangel enters battle.
Zadkiel is also said to be one of the two leaders of the Shinanim order (along with Gabriel) and one of the nine "rulers of heaven", as well as one of the seven archangels who sit next to God. Zadkiel - "angel of favor, mercy, memory and leader of the rank of dominions."

Zophiel("seeker of God") - a spirit evoked by the prayer of the Master of Arts in Solomonic witchcraft rituals. He is also one of Michael's two chiefs. Milton mentions Zophiel in Paradise Lost as having informed the heavenly host of the impending attack of the rebel angels, while in Friedrich Klopstock's Messiah he is represented as a "harbinger of hell."
American poet Maria del Occident chose Zophiel as one of the main characters in her poem "Zophiel", inspired by a story contained in the apocryphal Book of Tobit. In this poem, Zophiel is presented as a fallen angel who retains the traits of his former virtue and beauty.

Yehoel considered to be the mediator who knows the "unpronounceable name" and also one of the kings of presence. He is also considered the "angel who restrains Leviathan" and the leader of the rank of seraphim.
He is mentioned in the Apocalypse of Abraham as the heavenly choirmaster who accompanies Abraham on his way to Paradise and reveals to him the course of history.
It is also supposed that Jehoel is a former name of Metatron, while the Kabbalistic book "Berith Menuha" calls him the chief angel of fire.

Israel("one who strives for God") is usually considered an angel in the rank of heyot - the class of angels surrounding the throne of the Lord. They are usually compared to cherubim and seraphim. According to the Book of the Angel Raziel, Israel ranks sixth among the throne angels.
In the Alexandrian Gnostic “Prayer of Joseph,” the patriarch Jacob is the archangel Israel who descended into earthly life from pre-existence. Here Israel is “the angel of God and the chief spirit,” while later Israel is presented as the archangel of the will of the Lord and the chief tribune among the sons of God. He also calls himself the angel Uriel.
Israel is also mentioned by the mystics of the geonic period (7th-11th centuries) as a heavenly being whose task is to convene angels to sing the praises of the Lord. The philosopher Philo identifies Israel with the Logos, while Louis Ginsberg, author of Legends of the Hebrews, calls him "the personification of Jacob before the throne of Glory."

Kamail(“one who sees God”) is traditionally considered the chief in the rank of authority and one of the sephira. In magical lore it is said that when he is invoked by a spell, he appears in the form of a leopard sitting on a rock.
Among occultists he is considered the prince of the lower aisles and is often mentioned as the ruler of the planet Mars, as well as one of the angels who govern the seven planets. In Kabbalistic teaching, on the contrary, he is considered one of the ten archangels.
Some researchers claim that Kamail was originally the god of war in Druid mythology. Eliphas Levi in his book "History of Magic" (1963) says that he personifies divine justice.
Other sources call him one of the "seven angels standing in the presence of God." Clara Clement, in her book Angels in Art (1898), considers him to be the angel who wrestled with Jacob, as well as the angel who appeared to Jesus during his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Kohabiel("star of God") - a giant angel in folklore, responsible for the stars and constellations. Viewed by some as a sacred angel and by some as a fallen one, Kohabiel commands 365,000 lesser spirits. Kohabiel teaches his students astrology.

Layla. In Jewish legends, Laila is the angel of the night. She is responsible for conception and is appointed to protect souls at their new birth. As the legend goes, Laila brings sperm to God, who chooses what type of person should be born and chooses a pre-existing soul to send into the fetus.
An angel guards the mother's womb to make sure the soul does not escape. Apparently in order to help the soul survive these nine months in the womb, the angel shows it scenes from its future life, but just before birth, the angel gives the baby a click on the nose, and he forgets everything he learned about the future life. One legend claims that Laila fought on Abraham's side when he fought the kings; others imagine Lila as a demon.

Lucifer. The name Lucifer (“light giver”) refers to the planet Venus, the brightest object in the sky besides the Sun and Moon when it appears as the morning star. Lucifer was mistakenly equated with the fallen angel Satan, misinterpreting a passage of Scripture that actually referred to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who in his glory and pomp imagined himself equal to God (Isaiah 14:12): “As you fell from heaven, Lucifer, son of the dawn!
Just as the brightness of the morning star (Lucifer) surpasses the light of all other stars, so the greatness of the king of Babylon surpasses the glory of all eastern monarchs. The Babylonians and Assyrians called the morning star Belit or Istar, respectively. Others have suggested that the phrase "son of the morning" may refer to the crescent moon. And finally, still others claim that this is nothing more than the planet Jupiter.
The Devil acquired the name Lucifer after the early Christian theologians Tertullian and St. Augustine identified him with a shooting star from a passage in the book of Isaiah. They made this association because the Devil was formerly a great archangel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven.
The legend of the rebellion and expulsion of Lucifer as presented by Jewish and Christian writers depicts Lucifer as the main one in the heavenly hierarchy, as outstanding in beauty, strength and wisdom among all other creatures. It was to this “anointed cherub” that power over the earth was eventually given; and even after his fall and expulsion from his old kingdom, he seems to have retained some part of his former power and supreme title. According to the writings of the rabbis and church fathers, his sin was pride, which was a manifestation of complete selfishness and pure malice, since he loved himself above all others and never forgave ignorance, mistakes, passions or weakness of will.
According to other versions, his insolence went so far that he even tried to ascend to the Great Throne. In the mysteries of the Middle Ages, Lucifer, as the ruler of heaven, sits next to Eternity. As soon as the Lord rises from his throne, Lucifer, swelling with pride, sits down on it. The indignant Archangel Michael attacks him with weapons and finally drives him out of heaven and casts him into the dark and gloomy abode now destined for him forever. The name of this archangel, while he was in heaven, was Lucifer; when he came to earth, they began to call him Satan. The angels who joined this rebellion were also expelled from heaven and became demons, of which Lucifer is the king.
Lucifer is mentioned as the daystar in Ezekiel, in his prediction of the coming fall of the king of Tyre. Here Lucifer is an angel sparkling with diamonds, walking in the Garden of Eden, among the “fire stones.”
Lucifer could have been more of a hero early story about how the morning star tried to take the place of the Sun, but was defeated. This story arose because the morning star is the last to disappear from the sky, giving way to the rising of the Sun. It has also been suggested that this story is simply another version of Adam's expulsion from paradise.

Mammon. In folklore, Mammon is a fallen angel who lives in hell as the angel of stinginess, personifying greed and lust for profit. IN<Потерянном Рае>John Milton depicts Mammon as always looking down at the golden pavement of heaven instead of looking up at God. When Mammon is sent to hell after the heavenly war, it is he who finds the precious metal underground, from which the demons built their capital - the city of Pandemonium. In the Bible, Mammon is very hostile to God. The word “mammon” comes from the command of Christ in his sermon: “No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate one and love the other; or he will be zealous for one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth) "

Metatron- represents the supreme angel of death, to whom God gives daily instructions as to which souls to take that day. Metatron transmits these instructions to his subordinates - Gabriel and Samael.
He is also believed to be responsible for ensuring that there is enough food in the world. In the Talmud and Targum, Metatron is the link between God and humanity. Among the various missions and deeds attributed to him, there is one that allegedly stopped the hand of Abraham at the moment when he was ready to sacrifice Isaac. Of course, this mission is attributed primarily to the Angel of the Lord, as well as to Michael, Zadkiel or Tadhiel.
It is believed that Metatron lives in seventh heaven and is the tallest angel, with the possible exception of Anaphiel. The Zohar describes its size as "equal in breadth to the whole world." This is how the size of Adam was described in rabbinical literature before his fall.
Metatron is the first, and he is the last, of the ten archangels of the Briatic world. If we talk about seniority, then in fact Metatron is the youngest angel in the heavenly kingdom. He was assigned various roles: king of angels, prince of the divine face or presence, heavenly chancellor, angel of the Covenant, chief among the ministering angels, and assistant of Yahweh.

Nuriel(“fire”) - the angel of a thunderstorm with hail, according to Jewish legend, who met Moses in the second heaven. Nuriel manifests himself in the form of an eagle flying from the slope of Chesed ("kindness"). He is grouped with Michael, Shamshil, Seraphil and other great angels and is characterized as a “bewitching force.”
In the Zohar, Nuriel is depicted as the angel who rules the constellation Virgo. According to descriptions, his height is three hundred parasangs (about 1200 miles), and in his retinue there are 50 myriads (500 thousand) of angels. He is surpassed in height only by the Erelims, the observers, Af and Gemakh, and the highest heavenly hierarch named Metatron.
Nuriel is mentioned in Gnostic writings as one of the seven subordinates of Jehuel, the prince of fire. In his book Judaic Amulets, Shrier writes that the name Nuriel can be seen engraved on Eastern amulets.

Raguel. The name Raguel (spelling options: Ragiel, Rasuel) means "friend of God." In the Book of Enoch, Raguel is an archangel tasked with ensuring that the behavior of other angels is always upright. He is also the guardian angel of the Earth and the second heaven, and it was he who brought Enoch to heaven.
In Gnosticism, Raguel is on the same level as Telesis, another high-ranking angel. Despite his high position, for some inexplicable reason, in 745 AD. Raguel was rejected by the Roman Church (along with several other high-ranking angels, including Uriel). Pope Zachary called Raguel a demon “masquerading as a saint.”
Generally speaking, Raguil occupies a more prestigious position, and in the Book of Revelations of John the Theologian his role as God’s assistant is described as follows: “And He will send the angel Raguid with the words: go and blow a trumpet for the angels of cold and ice and snow, and wrap up those who on the left, with everything possible."

Raziel. Raziel is called "the secret of the Lord" and "the angel of riddles." According to legend, Raziel gave this book to Adam, and then envious angels stole it from him and threw it into the ocean. Then God allegedly ordered Rahab, the angel of the deep sea, to get this book and return it to Adam.
The book came first to Enoch, and then to Noah, who supposedly learned from it how to build an ark. Later, King Solomon learned magic from it.

Sariel(also known by several other names, including Suriel, Zerahel and Sarakel) is one of the first seven archangels. His name means "power of God" and he is responsible for the fate of angels who violate God's sacred rites. Although Sariel usually appears as a holy angel, he is sometimes referred to as having fallen from God's favor.
Sariel is considered the prince of existence, like Metatron, and also the angel of health, like Raphael. He is called "Sariel the Trumpeter" and "Sariel the Angel of Death" in the Falasha Anthology.
Sariel's name appears in Gnostic amulets; he is listed among the seven angels in the ophitic septenary system of primitive forces (Origen, Contra Celsum 6, 30). It is also known that when Sariel is summoned, he appears in the form of a bull. According to Kabbalah, Sariel is one of the seven angels who rule the Earth.
in Sariel is associated with the sky and is responsible for zodiac sign Aries ("ram"); he also informs the others about the Moon's trajectory. (This was once considered secret knowledge that could not be shared). According to Davidson, in occult teachings, Sariel is one of the nine angels of the summer equinox and protects against the evil eye.
Sariel also appears in the recently discovered Dead Sea Scrolls as the name on the shields of the "third Tower", also known as the "sons of the Light", (there were only four "towers" - each a separate group of soldiers).

Uzziel(“the power of God”) is usually considered a fallen angel, one of those who took the daughters of the earth as wives and had giants from them. He is also called the fifth of the ten wicked sephiros.
According to the Book of the Angel Raziel, Uzziel is one of the seven angels at the throne of God and one of the nine who oversee the four winds, he is ranked among the ranks of powers, and is also called one of Gabriel's "lieutenants" during Satan's rebellion.

Uriel, whose name means "fire of God", is one of the leading angels in the non-canonical scriptures. He is called variously: seraphim, cherub, "regent of the sun", "flame of God", angel of the presence, ruler of Tartarus (hell), archangel of salvation and, in later writings, Phanu-il ("face of God"). The name Uriel could come from the name of the prophet Uriah. In the apocrypha and the writings of occultists, Uriel is equated with Nuriel, Urian, Jeremiel, Vretil, Sariel, Puruel, Phanuel, Jehoel and Israfil.
He is often identified with the cherub, “standing at the gates of Eden with a fiery sword,” or with the angel, “watching over thunder and terror” (First Book of Enoch). In the Apocalypse of St. Peter he appears as the Angel of Repentance, depicted as ruthless as any demon.
In The Book of Adam and Eve, Uriel is considered a spirit (that is, one of the cherubim) from Genesis chapter 3. He was also identified with one of the angels who helped bury Adam and Abel in Paradise, and with the dark angel who fought Jacob in Peniel. Other sources depict him as the conqueror of the army of Sen-cherib, as well as the messenger of God who warned Noah of the approaching flood.
According to Louis Ginsberg, Uriel represents the "prince of light." In addition, Uriel revealed heavenly secrets to Ezra, translated sermons, and led Abraham out of Ur. In later Judaism he is considered one of the four angels of the presence. He is also the "angel of September" and can be summoned if the ritual is performed by those born in this month.
It is believed that Uriel brought the divine discipline of alchemy to earth, and that he gave man the Kabbalah, although other scholars claim that this key to the mystical interpretation of Scripture was the gift of Metatron. Milton describes Uriel as "the regent of the Sun" and "the most watchful spirit in the heavens."
Dryden, in The State of Innocence, writes that Uriel descends from the sky in a chariot drawn by white horses. In 745 AD, Uriel was rejected by the church council in Rome, but he has now become Saint Uriel, and his symbol is an open palm holding a flame.
He is identified with the “evil angel” who attacked Moses because he did not bother to observe the traditional rite of circumcision in relation to his son Gershom, although the book “Zohar” (1, 93c) attributes the same role to Gabriel: “Gabriel descended to earth in the form of a fiery flame in the form of a burning serpent> with the intention of destroying Moses “for this sin.”
Uriel is also considered the angel of vengeance, depicted by Proudhon in the painting "Divine Vengeance and Justice", located in the Louvre. Compared to other archangels, Uriel is very rarely represented in works of art. As a commentator on prophecy, he is usually depicted with a book, or papyrus roll, in his hand.
In Milton's Ontology, Cosmogony and Physics (1957), Walter Curry writes that Uriel "comes across as a devout but not very sensitive physicist with an inclination toward atomic philosophy." In the "Second Book of the Sibylline Oracle" he is described as one of the "immortal angels of the immortal God", who on the Day of Judgment: "will break the monstrous bolts of the indestructible gates of Hades and throw them to the ground, and bring to judgment all the suffering, and the ghosts of the ancient Titans and giants, and all those whom the Flood swallowed up... and they will all appear before the Lord and his throne."
In the scene of Jacob's struggle with the dark angel, a mysterious fusion of these two creatures occurs, and Uriel says: “I came down to earth to dwell among people and they will call me by name Jacob.” Some patriarchs are believed to have turned into angels (for example, Enoch allegedly turned into Metatron). The transformation of an angel into a man is noted only once - in the case of Uriel.

Hadraniel(or Hadarniel), meaning "greatness of God", is an angel appointed to guard the second gate of heaven. Standing over 60 Myriad Parasangs (approximately 2.1 million miles) tall, it is quite a terrifying sight.
When Moses appeared in heaven to receive the Torah from God, he was speechless at the sight of Hadraniel. Hadraniel believed that Moses should not receive the Torah and made him cry in fear until God appeared and reprimanded him.
Hadraniel quickly corrected himself and began to look after Moses. This help turned out to be very useful, since (according to the “Zohar” legend), “when Hadraniel declares the will of the Lord, his voice penetrates through 200,000 vaults of heaven.” According to the Revelation of Moses, "with every word, 12,000 lightning bolts burst from his (Hadraniel's) mouth."
In Gnosticism, Hadraniel is only one of the seven subordinates of Jehuel, the “king of fire” (King, p. 15). In Zohar I (550), Hadraniel tells Adam that he (Adam) has the “Book of the Angel Raziel,” which contains secret information unknown even to the angels.

To the begining

In the Christian tradition, angels are creatures close to God, through them He can express His will to people, they are His army. Archangels who are higher in rank also have supernatural abilities, each has their own area of responsibility, their own history. It is not at all necessary to look for the names of archangels and angels; believing parents often call their children by them, hoping that the heavenly namesake will protect them on the path of life.

Angelic hierarchy

Creatures similar to angels are found in the mythology of many peoples, and many angels, whose existence Christians believe, are also characters in Jewish and Muslim religious texts. Mentions of them are often found in the texts of religious figures who claimed that angels appeared to them to utter God's will, to give instruction or prophecy about the future.

Angels are endowed with enormous power and many capabilities, but they never use them at their own discretion; all their actions are coordinated with God and never contradict His will. In addition, there is a clear hierarchy, according to which angels who have different abilities, are divided into different ranks. There are nine angelic ranks in total, which make up three triads.

It is believed that they are the ones closest to God and should bear His love. The name of these creatures comes from a Hebrew word meaning “fiery.” Seraphim are described as creatures with three pairs of wings and four faces, which suggests their mythological roots, as they resemble creatures from Assyrian mythology. It is possible that it was the myths of the peoples of Mesopotamia that became the ancestral home of the image of the seraphim.

They are just as close to God, have great wisdom and all the knowledge that God sees fit to impart to others. They are the ones who must bring the light of knowledge to the world; they represent the second rank after the seraphim. The Cherub is mentioned as the guardian of Eden, armed with a flaming sword. There are also references to God sitting on cherubim, using them as a means of transportation.

This is what the Christian tradition calls disembodied spirits who serve God as a throne. In addition, thrones have the ability to help judges and rulers make fair decisions.

They belong to the second triad of angelic ranks and represent the fourth rank out of nine. Mentions of dominions can be found in many early Christian texts, in which they are presented as beings capable of pacifying passions, elevating the spirit over the body, and helping to master the emotions.

God uses these spirits to perform miracles and to bestow the power of miracles on those most pleasing to Him.

These creatures are endowed with the ability to control evil forces, repel their attacks and protect people from them, as well as cleanse thoughts of evil.

Principalities are creatures similar in their functions to guardian angels, but they protect more than one specific person, but a group (for example, on the scale of a tribe, nation, state). It is believed that God assigned them to every nation to protect, admonish, protect from rash actions, and suggest correct and fair decisions.

VIII. Archangels

Archangels are considered the leaders of the divine army; they convey the will of God to the lower angels so that they communicate it to people. Archangels bring enlightenment and help strengthen people in faith. The highest among the archangels is Michael.

Angels are spiritual guides for people. Each person is assigned an angel who instructs him on Right way, protects from adversity and bad thoughts. They are the voice of our conscience. Angels are the creatures closest to people, however, they do not act at their own discretion, because they receive instructions from God through his messengers.

Some archangels and angels, their deeds and influence on culture

The names of many angels and archangels are known to us not only through religious doctrine, but also through popular culture. Mentions of their deeds are often found in religious texts.

Azazel. Considered a fallen angel, desert demon. The name of this angel is known to most thanks to Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita”, because he became the prototype of Azazello. Also appears as a negative character in Marvel comics.
Ariel (also referred to as Samuel and Ariel). Archangel who patronizes people whom God has endowed with talent. He helps musicians, artists, writers, poets, everyone in whom God has placed a creative spark. He also helps children.
Barachiel. An archangel who brings blessings to those who engage in good and godly deeds. In iconography, his image is quite rare; on surviving icons he is often depicted with a flower in his hand.
Gabriel. In the Old Testament, God reveals the secrets of the future to the Archangel Gabriel. In addition, it is Gabriel who brings the Virgin Mary the news of the birth of Christ, and later warns her in advance of death. On icons the archangel is depicted with a candle, a flowering branch or a mirror.
Yehudiel. One of the archangels in the Orthodox tradition. It is believed that he protects those people who have proven their righteousness through hard work, both physically and spiritually. He also suggests correct and fair decisions to those in power.
Michael. Chief among all archangels and the most revered. It is believed that he stands at the head of the divine army and defeated evil forces. It is Michael who must call souls to the Last Judgment, and he will judge sinners. Therefore, Michael is also considered the patron saint of the dead. Despite the fact that the names of archangels are practically not mentioned in the Old Testament, the name of Michael comes up more than once, which indicates his exceptional significance.
Rafail. According to the Book of Enoch, Raphael is considered the second archangel after Michael. Among Raphael's abilities mentioned in religious texts: exorcism of demons, healing. It is believed that Raphael can be called upon to help any person if he himself wants it and is ready for spiritual healing. The very presence of the archangel nearby relieves anxiety and worries. Raphael is often depicted with a fish in his hand. This plot is a reference to the Book of Tobit, according to which the archangel instructed Tobius to catch a fish, and then told how to use its gall bladder to restore a person’s sight.
Satanail (Satan). Satan is a common noun in its original meaning, indicating one who in every possible way prevents the accomplishment of good deeds. Satan was created as a cherub, full of wisdom, divine love and beauty. But, proud of his perfection, he wanted to become equal to God, for which he was cast down to earth. any appeal to a fallen angel is considered apostasy. Fortune telling, various magical actions, occultism, belief in superstitions that are not recognized by the church are equated to turning to Satan.

The names of archangels and angels are found in Christian, Jewish and Islamic sacred texts. This serves as further proof of the kinship of the three religions.