Angelic hierarchy. Angelic ranks
Thrones, Seraphim and Cherubim are the main angelic ranks. Their representatives occupy the leading places in the heavenly hierarchy. Find out what they are responsible for and what functions they perform.
The angelic hierarchy is known to theologians from various sources. It's Dilapidated and New Testament, Holy Scripture, as well as the revelations of monks and priests who lived in different times... Thrones, Seraphim and Cherubim are also mentioned in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. Interestingly, in the immortal work of Dante, the angelic hierarchy is described in the same way as in modern theological publications.
Dormition of the Virgin, Francesco Botticini
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones occupy the first place in the Christian hierarchy of angelic entities. These are the names of ranks, the first rank is the Seraphim, the second is the Cherubim, the third is the Thrones. All three ranks belong to the first sphere of the heavenly hierarchy, of which there are three. Each sphere contains three orders of angels.
Angels of the highest rank are rarely depicted as humanoid creatures. Their iconographic images are quite capable of seriously surprising the majority of believers. A clear hierarchy of angels exists only in the Christian tradition. The Qur'an practically does not touch upon this topic, therefore, in Islam, not much attention is paid to the types of Allah's helpers. In Judaism and Kabbalah, there are several versions of the hierarchy of divine essences, and all of them are seriously different from each other.
Dionysius the Areopagite wrote that a person cannot know for sure what the hierarchy of heavenly forces is. In his opinion, only what God wished to reveal is known. Perhaps only a part of the structure of the heavenly divine power and the apparatus for governing our world is available to us.
Supreme Angel Metatron - place in the hierarchy
Metatron and the aura
According to legend, the angel Metatron occupies the main position among all other celestial entities. He judges other angels, and also sits on the same throne that God has. However, according to the legends, the throne became the cause of the quarrel between God and Metatron and the subsequent punishment of the angel.
Metatron does not belong to the ranks of the first sphere - Seraphim, Cherubim, or Thrones. According to legend, he was once an ordinary righteous man. God lifted him to heaven alive and turned him into a perfect being - the archangel Metatron. Archangels are ranked eighth out of nine among the angelic ranks. However, despite this, he is closer to God than the higher ranks.
However, according to some legends, God expelled Metatron. Other angels did not want to recognize the main an ordinary person... In addition, the situation with two thrones, which gave rise to rumors of dual power in heaven, became the reason for the expulsion of Metatron. However, not all legends describe his exile. According to some of them, he forever remained an archangel close to God, despite the punishment incurred. Accordingly, the angel of the highest rank is Metatron, one of a kind.
The highest angelic rank - Seraphim
Seraphim are the highest angelic order. These are the angels who are closest to the rest, apart from Metatron, are to God. According to the book of the prophet Isaiah, they appeared before people in the guise of six-winged creatures. With the first pair of wings, they covered their faces, and with the second, their body. They need the last two wings in order to fly.
According to Enoch, one of the Seraphim calls himself Seraphiel. He has the head of an eagle. Such a bright light emanates from this divine being that even other angels are unable to see its appearance. Perhaps the rest of the Seraphim covered their faces and bodies only in order not to blind people with their holiness.
The icons depict representatives of the highest angelic order with open faces. Their two wings are raised up, two support the Seraphim in the air, and with two they hide their bodies from the eyes of people. According to the canon, these are angels who stand around God or support his throne. The predominant color on their icons is fiery, fiery, red.
Dionysius the Areopagite claims that the nature of the Seraphim is similar to fire, a fiery love of purity and holiness. They are in constant motion around the divine. Their vocation is to illuminate with their light and scorch with their heat, to raise and assimilate the lower beings.
Representatives of the highest rank in the angelic hierarchy praised God and told people about his holiness and the need for faith and observance of Christian commandments. They worship God and serve human needs. But the main function of the Seraphim is the fulfillment of God's purposes on earth. They contribute to their embodiment, giving orders to the lower ranks of angels, as well as influencing people directly.
Read the article seraphim - only God is stronger.
Cherubim - the second highest angelic order
Cherubim are second in the angelic hierarchy, after the Seraphim. According to the Book of Genesis, one of them guards the entrance to Eden with a fiery sword. He was appointed to the post of guardian after the expulsion of Adam and Eve. King David of Israel describes the cherubim as God's vehicle. It is not known whether they were harnessed to his chariot or carried God in some other way, since the preserved saying of David does not reveal this secret:
... sat on the cherubim and flew.
In the Old Testament, the epithet “seated on cherubim” is also often found describing God. According to legend, when Pharaoh was persecuting the Jews, God took a Cherubim from one of the wheels of his throne and flew on it to save the chosen people. In addition, there is another function of these representatives of one of the highest angelic ranks. Near the throne of God and in the world of people, they sing, glorifying him. According to the apocrypha, they are busy chanting along with the phoenixes and the Seraphim.
As one of the highest angels, Cherubim are carriers of divine wisdom. They spread knowledge about God among people, direct them on the right path and help develop the qualities necessary for a God-fearing person. Cherubim are also involved in enhancing the education of other divine beings when needed.
According to Jewish beliefs, Cherubim were created on the third day of Creation. However, according to Jewish legends, they became the first living beings to inhabit a deserted world. According to the Talmud, the first creatures were man, bull, eagle and lion. They stayed for some time near the throne of God. Later, Ezekiel advised him to replace the bull with a cherub, so that the bull would not be a living reminder of the times when the Jews worshiped the Golden Calf.
Read the article who are now called cherubim.
There is no detailed textual description of the appearance of the cherubim. However, they have been repeatedly depicted on icons and in sculpture. Only their faces and wings are visible to the eyes of people. Unlike the Seraphim, the Cherubim never hide their faces. According to the prophecies of Ezekiel, they have more than one face. Moreover, one of them is human, and the second is lion. Earlier texts describe the Cherubim as four-faced creatures, and sometimes even appearing in the form of winged bulls. The structure of their faces is also different from the human. Medicine calls these defects in humans cherubism.
The Talmud mentions that the statues of the Cherubim stood only in the very first temple. When, during its destruction, the pagans saw them, they began to mock the believers, calling them worshiping statues. Therefore, in the future, Cherubim were not depicted in the form of sculptures. They could only be seen in the wall paintings of temples.
According to Jewish traditions, during sleep, the human body tells the soul about everything that was done during the day. The soul transmits information to the spirit, he - to the angel, the angel - to the archangel, the archangel - to the Cherubim, and the Cherubim tells about everything to the Seraphim, and the Seraphim reports to God. Accordingly, the Seraphim are the direct authorities of the Cherubim, their intermediaries in communion with God. Kabbalah says that the chief among the Cherubim is the angel who bears the name Cherubil.
Painting "Cherub" of the Church of Martin the Confessor in Alekseevskaya Novaya Sloboda (Moscow).
The Midrash says that it is not the Cherubim that wears God, but that God wears him. It does not contain anything material, God is sitting on the Cherubim, watching what is happening in the world. The same source names two names of the Cherubim - Tetragrammaton and Elohim. According to legend, these are parts of the true name of God.
In the Christian tradition, cherubim are considered angels singing in honor of the Lord, as well as carriers of his mind and wisdom. According to biblical descriptions, they have twelve wings. Astrologers associate the number of Cherubim wings with the number of signs of the zodiac. In addition, there is a connection with the number of hours in half of the earth's day.
Later, John Chrysostom wrote that Cherubim are completely composed of eyes - their entire body is covered with them. Perhaps that is why they hide it under their wings. John Chrysostom saw in such a structure a symbol of wisdom. According to him, through the Cherubim, God's mind looks at the world.
Some theologians, for example, Thomas Aquinas and Theodore the Studite, call the Cherubim representatives of the highest angelic authority. In their opinion, they occupy the first place in the divine hierarchy, and the Seraphim - the second. In Orthodox worship there is a special prayer called the cherubic song.
What place do the Thrones occupy in the heavenly hierarchy?
According to the Holy Scriptures, the Thrones have such a name for a reason. God sits on them from time to time, pronouncing his Judgment. According to some legends, the Thrones also serve as a means of transportation for God, therefore they are sometimes called God-bearing.
Image of thrones on the fresco of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Kratovo, Macedonia.
Representatives of this angelic order fulfill the role of the throne of the Lord. They rank third among the angelic ranks, obeying the Seraphim and Cherubim. All other angelic ranks are subject to the Thrones and higher angels.
Thrones perform not only the functions of transport and the divine throne. With their help, God carries out his judgment on angels and people. Thrones also deal with human courts, helping rulers, judges, leaders who carry out their duties at different levels, on different scales.
Thrones are depicted as fiery wheels with eyes on the rims. They have four wings. Initially, the Cherubim were depicted in this form, but later their appearance became closer to the Seraphim, and the wheels of fire were their attributes for some time. At the same time, the true appearance of the Thrones was revealed to people. In Jewish culture, the third order is called the Wheels, or Ofhanim.
In general, there are three orders of the first sphere of the divine hierarchy. These are the Seraphim closest to God and the Cherubim and Thrones subordinate to them. Each of these divine entities fulfills their roles in helping God rule the world.
While collecting material for this book, I have discovered several systems of angelic hierarchy. All of these systems, which can be confusing at first, were born in the human imagination. They are often so conservative and so attached to a particular religious system that their original purpose is lost. But can we ignore these labors? Someone spent a lot of time creating them. We do not know what the aspirations and intentions of these people were. But should we actually rewrite the old works anew, replacing the old terms with the "correct" ones from the point of view of modern philosophy?
I thought about these questions for a long time and finally decided to stick to what I already have, but expand my knowledge in the field of magic. In my research, I have suffered a series of defeats. For example, I cannot believe that God created a huge number of angels, whose only task is to "praise the heavenly host." This is akin to creating your own support group. Is God so selfish? Of course not, because selfishness is a purely human trait. Perhaps, in fact, the task of the angels is to fill a vessel with positive energy from which all levels of existence can draw.
I was also perplexed that the angels (male, in this case) were so struck by the beauty of the daughters of men that they neglected their duties and indulged in debauchery, dooming themselves to eternal damnation and becoming fallen angels.
This is a great plot for a novel, but it is not suitable for the smooth operation of a universe in which people, not angels, are the element of chaos. The fact that some men are unable to control their lust does not mean that male beings of every other species in the universe have the same problems. *
You probably think that none of this helps us understand the hierarchy of angels. But you may be wrong. Understanding our own failures helps us realize that there can be problems in these systems as well. It's good. We can work with that and get closer to more important stuff. First of all, we need to get rid of the feeling that we are not good enough to communicate with the angels.
Remember in Chapter 2 I wrote that angels are here to help us fulfill our destiny? In each chapter of this book, I encourage you to enter the hierarchy of the angelic worlds and try to show you that by interacting with the angels, you can improve your life and find harmony.
The most popular hierarchical system in the West is taken from a book written by Dionysius the Areopagite in the 6th century. For centuries, these angelic orders have performed certain duties and directed the streams of energy subject only to them. Some religions teach that many mortals, having gone through all earthly incarnations, become members of one of the Ten orders of angels. The nine ranks of the angels are divided into three groups, or triads:
Angels of the first triad
Seraphim Cherubim. Thrones
Angels of the second triad
Power of Power Dominions
Angels of the third triad
Beginnings Archangels Angels
Angels of the first triad
The first triad of angels is responsible for the Universe and the manifestation of the divine in it, acting on the highest astral level. Some consider them to be the angels of pure contemplation, but for me contemplation means "sitting back and thinking about different things." Perhaps this means that they are manifesting their energy through pure thought. I like this idea better. These angels have the deepest knowledge of the deity, his internal activities and manifestations. The angels of the first triad are seraphim, cherubim, and thrones.
Seraphim
Seraphim are closest to the deity, they protect, guard and glorify him and are considered angels of pure love, light and fire. They provide peace of mind, protect the deity from the penetration of negative energy and help create and carry positive energy through all the ranks of angels and in physical worlds... They surround the deity in order to ensure his uninterrupted existence and give this energy to us in order to preserve our life. Presumably, above these angels there are four rulers, corresponding to the four winds of the Earth, each of which beats in the air with six wings. The ruler of the seraphim is considered to be Joel, Metatron or Michael. Other angels named in this order are Seraphiel, Uriel, Kemuil, and Nathanael. When studying and working with the Nine ranks of angels, you will see that several angels are assigned to different ranks, moving up and down the heavenly "service ladder" depending on the emergence of the need for them in the Universe. This is especially true of the four archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel).
Seraphim (beings of pure light) shine so brightly that a mortal can die of fright when he sees a seraphim in all its splendor. Only the Lord, the Mother of God and Michael are able to fully interact with these beings. Some say their faces are like lightning and their clothes are as dazzling as arctic ice. They never stop moving and acting.
People practicing magic can gain access to seraphim because we are great at praying and invoking power. True, one day a friend said to me: “Would you like to rise to the level of these little old women sitting in the farthest rows in the church and discussing their beds? In them more magic than many boastful adepts. " I have no doubt about that.
The word "seraphim" means "fervor." In other words, these angels work with overwhelming divine love and compassion. You can't just walk up to a seraphim on the astral level and say, "How are you?" Mortals meet with them by invitation only. I don’t mean to say that seraphim do not interact with humans at all. You can turn to them and demand their help in magical actions, but you are unlikely to ever see them. If your guardian angel belongs to the seraphim, you may be involved in some kind of change in the world or human consciousness at the moment when you need their inspiration, divine love and power to complete your mission.
In another mythology, phoenixes were angels of the highest order, along with seraphim and cherubim. They turned into elements of the sun and became associated with certain planets. They each had twelve wings and were depicted as birds with bright red plumage.
Communicate magically with seraphim when you want to create energy to solve problems on a human or planetary scale. They listen to group rituals. To summon the seraphim, light a white candle for the deity and a bright red for the seraphim.
Cherubim
Cherubim are the keepers of light and stars. They also create and conduct positive energy from the deity, and their form is perfect. They are supposed to glow more strongly than all other angels. These creatures are Assyrian or Akkadian in origin, and their name means "promoting reconciliation." They are powerful spirits of knowledge and boundless love. It is interesting that in human consciousness they exist as half-humans, half-animals. The ancient statues, which were placed in front of the entrance to the temples to protect the holy land, represent them from human faces and the bodies of bulls or lions. Initially, they were not angels at all, but over time they fought their way into the heavenly hierarchy. Could it be that this is an ancient race that now functions not on the physical, but on the astral level? Mortals view cherubs as a "beauty and beast" hybrid. Cherubim oversee all galaxies, collecting and distributing energy where needed, and guarding temples of every religion, from architectural masterpieces to squalid huts.
Cherubim can also act as personal guardians, fighting with fiery swords when necessary. Sometimes cherubim are depicted in a more frightening form with four faces and four wings, this must be their mystical representation, associating cherubim with the four winds. They are both sacred animals and the deity's chariots. Their names are Ofhaniel, Rikbiil, Herubiel, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Zophiel. It is difficult to imagine why in art these strong angels turned into dwarfs with baby faces. I prefer to stick to the concept of creatures with lion faces and human bodies. You can, of course, represent them by others.
In magic, when you seek protection, wisdom, and knowledge, look to the cherubim. Many Egyptian deities, especially Sekhmet, Byet and Anubis, may have been cherubim.
Some archaeologists believe that the famous Sphinx (a giant sculpture with the head of a man and the body of a lion) may not refer to Egyptian culture, but to the culture of an as yet undiscovered Civilization that existed before the Egyptian. To summon the cherubim, light a white candle for the deity and a blue one for the cherub.
Thrones
Thrones are assigned to planets, so most of the planetary angels mentioned in this book belong to the category of thrones. They create, conduct and collect positive energy in and out. Thrones are called "many-eyed" and represent something like divine private investigators, as well as teachers of obedience. The name "thrones" comes from the idea that all the power of a deity rests on their strong shoulders. Justice and the administration of justice are very important to them. They can illuminate injustice with their fire and send healing energy to any victim. Again, the question is who leads whom. The prince of thrones must be Orifiel, Zadkiel or Zafkiel. Other names are given - Razzil and Jophiel. Thrones are very interested in mortal affairs, although they can channel energy through your guardian angel rather than interacting directly with you.
In magic, summon thrones to help mend relationships with groups of people or between two individuals. Turn to thrones if you are in search of resilience, as well as for any issues related to planets or planetary energies... To summon the thrones, light a white candle for the deity and a green one for the thrones.
Angels of the second triad
The angels of the second triad (dominance, strength, power) control certain planets and those angels who perform the tasks assigned to them. They themselves obey the angels of the first triad. The angels of the second triad deal with the cosmos and the relationships in it. Some scholars-theologians argue that the angels of the second triad do not care about mortals at all and are too busy “cosmically; mi ”problems; but I don't believe their communication system is so bad that prayers and human energy emissions are lost. I also don't believe in their arrogance and arrogance but in their attitude towards people.
Domination
Dominions play the role of divine leaders, whose efforts are aimed at uniting the material and the spiritual without losing control. They wear symbols of authority such as the scepter and orb. The prince of this rank is considered Khashmal or Zadkiel. Interestingly, Dominion is also the name of the oldest angel. Other angels who are also called the princes of the dominions are Muriel and Zachariel.
In magic, all questions of leadership fall under the control of dominions. They embody the law of cause and effect and precision in work. Dominions endow a person with the gift of a "born leader" and make sure that his subordinates are healthy and happy. They disapprove of corrupt governments, politicians, church and political leaders who put personal interests above public interests. If you want to attain divine wisdom, look to the dominions. They are excellent mediators and arbitrators. If you are starting an important project or something stalled in current affairs, turn to dominance. Light a white candle for a deity and a pink candle for a dominance to summon dominions.
Forces
The forces are tracing the history of mankind. The angels of birth and death belong to this family. They organize the world's religions and send divine energy to support them. positive aspects... Their main task is to regulate chaos. Some theologians believe that the powers were created before other angelic orders. They are seen as divine warriors who act not through fear and hatred, but through all-encompassing love. Forces are angels of warning; they will warn you if someone is going to harm you. This warning can come in different ways: as a sensation, a dream, or a snippet of conversation. This means that you must learn to listen to what the angels tell you. They work through a person's sixth sense, forcing us to listen to them. There is still a dispute about who is in charge of this rank. According to some sources, this is Ertosi, according to others Sammail and Kamail. Gabriel and Verhiel also belong to the angels of this order.
In magic, they are considered warrior angels and you should turn to them when you are in trouble. The forces can ferret out any secret plans, the execution of which will harm someone. These angels will protect your Home, property, children, or any group of people who call for their protection. To invoke the forces, light a white candle for the deity and a yellow one for the forces.
Authorities
The main job of the authorities is to move spiritual energy to the level of the earth and the collective human consciousness. Known as the Miracle Angels, they are distinguished by their courtesy and courage. In the planetary system of the Egyptians and alchemists, Pi-Re was the head of government. Among the ruling princes of this degree are Michael, Raphael, Varviel, Haniel, Gamaliel, Tarshish, Peliel, Sabriil, Uzziel.
The authorities are especially supportive of those who try to achieve more than others expect of them. They love the adventurous and the lucky. positive people who are trying to enlighten and educate others and lead them to achieve harmony.
Authorities are the spirits of movement, work and direction of elemental natural energies that damage our planet. Earth, air, weather and planetary disasters related to the elements are under the auspices of the authorities. These are the angels of nature. When you work with elemental magic, it is the authorities who listen to you and help you. When you are in trouble or working for healing, reach out to the authorities. When you are sick or afraid, call on the authorities. To summon the authorities, light a white candle for the deity and an orange one for the authorities.
Angels of the third triad
The angels of the third triad have very complex connections with human affairs; they are considered the angels of the Earth. They are constantly intertwined with our lives and eagerly listen to what is happening with people. The third triad includes beginnings, archangels and those who are simply called angels.
Beginnings
The beginnings are the guardians of large structures such as continents, countries, cities, and large human organizations (such as the UN). They are driving global reform. You'll find them in boardrooms and brokerage offices, even swimming pools — wherever people gather in groups for study, decision-making, or just for fun. They also create and transmit positive energies from the physical to the divine and vice versa. Patrons of religion and politics, they watch over the leaders of humanity to help them make fair decisions. The main ruling angels this degree - Rekuil, Anail, Kerviil and Nisrok. According to Egyptian beliefs, the ruler among them is Surot.
With the help of magic, you can summon these angels when discrimination, destruction of animals or (God forbid!) Genocide, violation of laws by those who control something - from a country to a company, or in the event that you do not have enough strength to accept the necessary solutions relatively large groups of people. Human rights and economic reforms are the top priority to start. To invoke the beginnings, light a white candle for the deity and a red one for the beginnings.
Archangels
This is a rather strange group. They are often attributed to one of the other triads or to another order. They love communication with mortals, although they cannot always afford it. These are the "special forces" of the angelic worlds, accustomed to dealing with different strata of society - from rulers to newborns. They also create and transmit energy in both directions. Chapter 2 and other sections of this book discuss the use of archangels in magic.
To summon the archangels, refer to chapter 4.
Angels
Angels are beings assigned to a specific personality. They are often referred to as guardian angels. They deal with matters of human and physical manifestation and transmit energies from us to the divine and from the divine to us. Our guardian angels are assigned to us for the duration of all earthly incarnations. They are ours best friends and our closest companions, accompanying us from the moment of our birth and helping us in the transition through death. They protect us in trouble, help us adapt to the world and carry out the divine plan inherent in us, invoking other powers of the Nine orders of angels when we need them. However, much of of the above they will only do at our request. Therefore, we must learn to talk about our needs and concerns. We will return to the guardian angels in chapter 7, which will be dedicated only to them.
Our guardian angels are always in contact with all the angels of the Nine ranks. They send messages instantly, and if we ask them for help, they will convey our request to the deity and other angels. Again, I must remind you that you are never alone. Although angels often act instantly, especially if other people are involved in your problem, sometimes their action can slow down or go wrong as you expected. When turning to the angels for help, make sure that your thoughts are pure, and ask them to tell you the most acceptable solution for everyone or a good attitude towards you. But do not think that the angel will solve all your problems on his own. It will only open up new opportunities and paths for you that you could not find yourself.
Guardian angels can come from any of the Nine orders of angels .. Each angel has its own function. None of them is better or more important than the others. Light a candle in your favorite color to summon your guardian angel. Place a white candle for the deity nearby.
The ebb and flow of energy to a mortal or from a mortal to a deity is the main task of the angels. If this flow stops, all of us, including the angels, will cease to exist. All laws, cosmic and human, are ruled by angels. They can change anyone's destiny at any time. But an angel will never become an accomplice of evil. They seek justice with strength and love, but without cruelty. The stories about "merciless angels" frighten only fools.
We can magically interact with any angel from the nine ranks of angels. For example, if you want to heal the planet, you must find a special office responsible for this. All angels are in tune with the orders of the Holy Mother and the Holy Father. Those who open their hearts to a female deity can make major changes in our society. The Mother of God is almost definitely the queen of angels, and if you need her, all you have to do is summon her.
When interacting with angels, our weak point is only doubt and fear. Doubting the power of angels to help us, we sever our connection with them. Disbelief or fear creates a barrier between us and the angels.
A spell for nine ranks
Shining Seraphim, I call on you.
Draw a circle, bring me love.
Mighty cherub, guard my gates
Take sadness and hate away from me.
Thrones, stand fast, make me determined
Help me to keep steady on land and at sea.
I call for domination whose power is undeniable
To be honest in everything I do.
Forces create circles of protection
Help me, weather and storm.
Miraculous authorities soar nearby,
They give me the energy of the elements.
Beginnings bring global changes
Blessing the world and every newborn.
Glorious archangels show me the way
Leading to peace and harmony every day.
Guardian angel, powerful deity,
Bless me with your guiding light.
An appeal to the nine ranks of angels
The fact that you have chosen this book and are thinking about how to do magic with angels makes you a special person. You are probably one in a thousand. Few have the guts to practice magic with angels, as that means you have to live honestly, which is not always easy to do. Some believe that angels do not correspond to their religious beliefs. I have come to the conclusion that angels correspond to everything anytime, anywhere. They are not as picky as we are.
One delightful winter morning, I busied myself at the local department store and grocery store. There I suddenly began to look at people - I mean that I began to look at them for real. I realized that all the people around me were not alone, that their angels were with them. I was surprised to realize that the earth level must be a very busy place. At that moment, the physical senses that I had trained for so long took a huge leap forward.
Looking at people, I "felt" what worries them the most. Some people looked around helplessly as if they were alone in the world, and I really wanted to tell them that they weren't. Others were preoccupied with thoughts of their business, family, friends, etc. At first glance, I recognized those who were dishonest or those who felt empty in life, despite their expensive clothes and professional makeup. I felt myself stepping into a twilight zone.
I walked and felt my angels next to me. They were big and I could feel them pulsing. I have no idea how I knew this - I just knew. People looked at me and smiled, and I smiled back. This is unusual because most people in my area do not always benevolent to the people you meet. I understood that those who smile broadly felt the presence of angels, but could not realize what they were feeling. I felt huge. I felt great. I felt loved. I touched harmony.
As I walked to my car, I came up with the idea of addressing the Nine Ranks of the Angels. This is your first acquaintance with all types of angels, let them know that you are ready to invite them into your life and practice magic with them.
You will need one white candle to represent the Virgin and one white candle to represent the Lord. You will also need candles to represent each level of the Nine Ranks of Angels, so you need eleven candles. If you want, you can use the candles of the colors that I recommended to you earlier.
Make sure not to be disturbed during this ritual. When talking with angels, you should not be interrupted. phone calls, TV, guests or family members.
Walk up to the angelic altar and light candles or lamps. Take a deep breath, holding both white candles firmly in your hands. Whatever your religious beliefs, say a prayer or incantation, stating exactly what you want to do. I am not giving a sample prayer here because it should come from your heart. Light both white candles, saying:
I light this candle for the Lord.
I light this candle for the Mother of God.
If you are familiar with magic, then it is time to outline the magic circle. Choose which way of creating a circle you like best. If you do not know how to draw a magic circle, refer to chapter b of this book; if you don't want to draw a circle, just imagine yourself surrounded by white light.
Place the candles in a row and start with your guardian angel's candle. Say the following:
I light this guardian angel candle and invite my guardian angel into my life. I vow to practice magic with angels and to help my neighbors and the planet with all my strength. May it be so.
Relax and meditate on what you just said. Feel that your guardian angel is by your side and reaffirm that you will listen to the messages being conveyed to you.
Light the archangel's candle and say the following:
I light this archangel candle and invite this archangel into my life. I vow to practice magic with the archangels and help my neighbors and the planet with all my strength. May it be so.
As before, relax and think about the archangels and what they mean to you.
Proceed to the rest of the ranks, each time to one of them, lighting a candle, summoning the angels, pronouncing an oath. Meditate on each rite.
When you've done all this, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Open yourself to universal harmony.
Upon completion of the work, speak to the angels you have summoned. The conversion can be large or small - it doesn't matter.
Give your message loudly and firmly.
Take another deep breath and relax. Thank the angels for responding and helping you. If you. o drawing a magic circle, open it.
You can join the Nine orders of angels at any time. Angels are always ready to help you.
Queen of Angels (The Story of Saint Cztrin Labour)
I’m not a Catholic, and I’ve never been, but when I first read this story, my heart beat faster and shivers ran through my body. I believe not best example to demonstrate the power and existence of the Queen of Angels, the entity we Wiccans know as the Lady.
On July 18, 1830, the nun Catherine Labourt woke up on the Rue du Bac in Paris and saw a radiant angel who ordered her to quickly go to the chapel. When Catherine arrived there, she saw the queen of angels, who gave her the first message. In this first message, she introduced herself to Catherine as the sacred mother of all children. She called herself the queen of angels.
After her first visit, Catherine devoted herself to deep solitude and prayer for many months. Every morning, Catherine returned to the chapel, hoping to see the queen of angels again. And one fine morning the queen returned to the chapel, standing over a ball bathed in bright light, and dressed in sunlight. Rings glittered on each of her fingers. When she opened her palms, bright beams of fire burst from them and ignited the ball. The angels emitted a shimmering light as the queen spoke the following words:
The sphere you see represents the planet Earth. The rays that break out of my hands symbolize the grace given to me to be passed on to those of our children who ask me to do so.
Gems that do not emit rays are favors that my children forgot to ask for. The light of the angels symbolizes their strength and presence on earth. Let me help you my children. Look for the light of the angels.
Katrin's vision intensified. The beams from the hands of the queen lit fire in all parts of the ball. The golden door to the Land of Summer hovered in an oval around the vision. The queen of angels spoke:
Divine will commands that a medal be made depicting this heavenly vision, which is bestowed upon you. The medal will always be a sign of my protection and the presence of angels to guide you along the paths of unconditional divine love for you. All who wear this medal with faith will be showered with favors, blessings and empowered.
This medal was produced and distributed to Catholics around the world. Legend says that those who wore the medal with faith and conviction witnessed many miracles and were under divine protection. It became known as the Miracle Medal. People around the world continue to wear this medal of angelic power, a gift from the Queen Mother herself.
After studying this story, I decided to visit local shop for Catholics. I felt strange, wandering among the trappings of a religion alien to me, but at the same time I was proud that my own faith is strong and cannot be shaken by another belief system. I found the Miracle Medal and the card that came with it.
At home, I placed them on my angelic altar (see chapter 2), cleansed, sanctified and energized these objects. There is a prayer on the back of the card. I have composed my own spell to suit my personal spiritual needs:
Merciful Goddess, I reunite with you under the name of Our Lady, Queen of Angels, who brought this Miraculous Medal. Let this medal be for me a convincing sign of your maternal affection and a constant reminder of the oath that I made to my religion. Bless me with your loving protection and that of your Spouse. The most powerful Virgo, Mother and Foremother! Let me be by your side every minute of my life, so that I, like you, can live and act in such a way as to fulfill my oath. With this medal, I will call upon the angelic powers to help my neighbors and control my own life. May it be so.
If you don't like using the Miracle Medal, then don't worry about it. I took a little time to find a medal without a cross on the back. I do not want to use jewelry with a cross, as this sign denotes an attack and has a hidden meaning for me. You are free to choose another piece of jewelry, which is more convenient for you. A Jew can use the Star of David, a Wiccan a pentacle. The symbol must be important to you, and you must trust that it will work for the purpose that you identified in the dedication and prayer above.
Catholics have a prayer that they use for all difficulties. I will quote it here, and then we will rewrite it a little so that it fits with alternative religious traditions. Since all gods are one god, and all goddesses are one goddess, I don't think the Mother of God would mind. Legend says that this prayer was first recited by the angel Gabriel.
Oh, Mary, blessed,. The Lord is with You. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Holy Mary, Mother
God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
If you are of an alternative religion, you can pronounce it like this:
O Lady, gracious, God is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Spouse and Son. Holy Goddess, Mother of the Earth, perform a sacrament for your children, now and at our hour of need. May it be so.
The queen of angels and the magic circle
The queen of angels sends the seraphim to collect human prayers and convey them to the deity. All angels are deeply devoted to her and she has her own angelic retinue. Thus, when you draw a magic circle and invoke the Master or Mistress, you also summon an angelic host that moves with them regardless of your belief system and whether you think about them or believe in them. If you acknowledge the presence of angelic beings when you outline your circle, you will see the difference. If you don't believe me, try it and find out for yourself.
Indeed, many of us feel the presence of angels in our lives especially acutely when things go wrong. I will give myself as an example. I stubbornly pored over this angelic book, sometimes feeling tired and empty, but thinking that my life was in order, when suddenly a professional discord overtook me in the midst of a difficult streak. Feeling very unhappy and acutely aware that my whole life is going downhill, I went to my angelic altar and lit two white candles. I called my guardian angel and asked that this transition in my life be as painless as possible and that I find out why this happened, without being blinded by human emotions and selfishness. ...
Once I read that mortals are conductors of spiritual energy into the material world, and angels are conductors of material energy into the spiritual world. Together we create a bridge between the material and the spiritual world. I also understood that in order to continue my work, I must get rid of negative emotions - doubts, anger, dissatisfaction with myself and self-reflection, which are boiling in a terrible cauldron of endless speculation.
The first thing I did was take a shower and visualize how the water cleanses both my physical body and my soul. Then I took a glass cold water(any drink will do) and imagined that with every sip I was filling my body with angelic and universal energies. Then I took a deep breath, imagining the healing energy entering my body. I exhaled, throwing away any doubts, fears, or thoughts of unhappiness with him.
I summoned the Mistress with the help of Edgar Allan's poem P about:
In the morning, at noon, at dusk
Madam, you listen to my hymn:
In joy and sorrow, in health and illness,
Mother goddess, be with me.
When the bright hours fly by
And there is not a cloud in the sky
My soul, no matter how idle it is,
Your mercy leads to you.
Now that the storms of fate
Covered in darkness my present and future,
May my hope be in you
Will make my future shine.
Then I reread Gabriel's prayer several times, turning it into a mantra that enhances power:
O Lady, full of mercy, God is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Spouse and Son. Holy Goddess, Mother of the Earth, perform a sacrament for your children, now and at our hour of need. May it be so.
The problem was resolved within 24 hours.
Other hierarchies
I mentioned earlier that there are several hierarchies of angels. Although I have chosen the Nine Angelic Ranks to work, I would not want to discard Jewish mysticism. In the Kabbalah, ten Sephiroth are mentioned (the singular is Sephirah). Each represents its own world, which requires deep study through imaginary travels, personal encounters with the divine, etc. Angels are present in each sephira. The names of the Sephiroth are Foundation, Splendor, Eternity, Beauty, Power, Grace, Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding and Perfection (Crown). The diagram representing these forces is in the form of a tree. At the roots of this tree stands the guardian angel Sandalphon, which spreads through the tree and goes into the Universe. Other angels on the tree are Safkiel, the angel of contemplation; Raphael, divine physician; Gabriel, who rules over spiritual wisdom; Michael, Commander-in-Chief of the Heavenly Host. At the top is Metatron. We will be discussing all of these angels in the book.
The ranks of angels are an important part of Christian culture. Even in heaven there is a strict hierarchy.
We will help you understand angelic chinaz in this article.
The ranks of angels - what are they and why are they needed
The kingdom of God is like any organization. If these words seem blasphemous to you, then think - where did people get their structure of society? God made man in his own image and likeness, which means he gave us a hierarchy. Moreover, let us remember that Archangel Michael bears the title of Archangel, that is, the commander-in-chief of the heavenly host. This alone can say that the ranks of angels really exist.
Ancient icon Image of St. Michael the Archangel, the leader of the Heavenly Host. Russia XIX century.
What are they created for? As in any organization, so in heaven there must be a chain of command. Without it, the organization will be in disorder, anarchy. And just for refusing to obey, the angel Lucifer was expelled. And remember that each of the angels has its own, so to speak, field of activity. So it is simply impossible to establish order in such a structure without a clear hierarchy. In general, the nine angelic ranks were created by God precisely in order to manage the heavenly kingdom as efficiently as possible.
The Creator, naturally, is endowed with unlimited power and possibilities - how else would he create the whole world? But it should be understood that even he sometimes needs to get distracted from one problem in order to tackle another. Moreover, the real world is too fragile to withstand the direct intervention of a deity. Let's not forget about the Archangel Gabriel, who is the Voice of God. After all, if the Creator turns to a person directly, then he simply will not withstand the power of the true voice and will die. This is why God needs help. Excess strength imposes its limits.
Nine angelic ranks
Yes, this seemingly monolithic organization has its own problems. At least once a split was brewing among the angels. But it happened because of the first fallen angel, who was able to win over a few rioters. From this we can conclude that the basis of the problems is not in the rationality of the hierarchy, which no one questions. The problem is that only the Lord himself can be perfect in this world. Even Adam and Eve, his beloved children, succumbed to the temptations of the Serpent. Yes, you can make a discount on the freedom of choice presented to them. But if their souls were completely pure, then the flattering speeches of the Enemy would not have had their destructive effect.
If we sum up all of the above, it turns out that there is nothing in Heaven without hierarchy. Everything is like people. But is it really any wonder? Unlikely. Any organization is designed to exclude, so to speak, the human factor. In our case, it is angelic. It doesn't always work out, but how could it be otherwise? Even a perfect being like God can have mistakes.
9 angelic ranks of the heavenly hierarchy
We have already spoken about how many angelic ranks there are in the Christian religion. There are 9 angelic ranks. Now let's figure it out in essence - what are the angelic ranks and their names? You need to start the story with the fact that the ranks are divided into triads of angels. They were created for a reason - each triad unites a certain group angels. The first is those who are directly close to the Lord. The second - emphasizes the divine basis of the universe and world domination. The third is those who are directly close to humanity. Let's dwell on each in more detail.
Angelic ranks in Orthodoxy
The first triad consists of seraphim, cherubim, and thrones. Seraphim are the closest beings to God. These six-winged creatures live in constant motion. They are often confused with muses, which can also kindle the fire of life in the souls of mortals. But at the same time, seraphim can scorch a person with their heat. Cherubim are guardian angels. It is of them that the protection of the tree of life, which appeared after the expulsion of Adam and Eve, consists. The first representatives of the great Mistrust, because before the Exile, the tree did not need to be protected. Thrones are not part of the interior. They are the third order of the first triad, they are often called the Mirrors of Wisdom. They reflect divine providence, and with their help, heavenly souls can predict the future.
The second triad includes forces, domination and authority. Forces are engaged in transferring a particle of divine power to mortals. They help in difficult times to take hold of the head, so to speak, and not to despair. Dominions - the middle rank in the angelic hierarchy, personify the craving for freedom and independence, inform people of the craving to remove themselves from inequality. Power is the rank that closes the second triad. In some texts, the Gospel, for example, it is said that the authorities can be both helpers of good and henchmen of evil. They carry out manifestations of divine power in the world of people.
The third triad completes the hierarchy ladder. It includes beginnings, archangels and angels. The beginnings are the angelic order that governs human Hierarchies. There is a version that it was with their permission that the monarchs were anointed. Archangels are senior angels who rule over the angels themselves. As an example - the archangel Michael the archangel, the head of the angelic host. Angels are the ones who are most involved in the lives of people. They bring news from God, fight in his name, give him honor and glory.
These are all angelic ranks that exist in the Christian religion. In different interpretations, there may be a different number of them, from 9 to 11. But the most reliable is the one that is mentioned in the works of Dionysius by the Areopagite. They were written in the late 5th or early 6th century. It is a collection of research texts aimed at bringing clarity to the lives of heavenly beings. The theologian asked difficult questions and tried to answer them as clearly as possible. He did it. The key to this success was the spirituality of the researcher and the most powerful force thoughts. He read many texts just to satisfy his and our curiosity. We can say that the theologian simply summed up everything that was written before him. And this is true, but in part. Even such a seemingly simple work required a titanic effort.
Angelic ranks in Orthodoxy
There is a difference between Orthodox and Catholic cultures. She also touched upon those roles that are assigned to the angelic ranks. Yes, if you look at it in general, the differences will not be conspicuous. All the same, albeit different confessions, but the same religion. What is the difference between the angelic ranks in Orthodoxy?
All 9 angelic ranks are depicted in the "Assumption" by Francesco Botticini.
First - in Orthodox religion no triads. There are degrees here. There are also three of them, and they are called - Higher, Middle, Lower. They differ among themselves by their "remoteness" from the divine throne. This in no way suggests that God loves the Lower Degree less than the Upper Degree. Of course not. It's just that if the first is in direct contact with people, doing the will of God, then mortals hardly see the second.
The next big difference is the degree of personalization. In Orthodoxy, individual angelic personalities appear more often. They are honored as patrons and guardians. In Catholicism, this happens much less often. Although here, like Catholics, there are 9 angels, 9 angelic ranks. Both denominations used the same texts, and small differences can be attributed to different interpretations. Cherubic angels, for example, represent wisdom rather than guard. They have the highest spiritual wisdom, they can use it. For the good, of course, advising his fellows how best to fulfill this or that command of the Lord.
Let us dwell on the last degree, the lower angelic rank, their description and meaning. In Orthodoxy, they are given the most attention, because they are often shown to people. Some of the highest archangels are given names such as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. Ordinary angels communicate most closely with people, even become personal guardians and intercessors. Guardian angels take custody of every mortal, guiding and helping him, pushing him along the path of God's Plan, the so-called Great Plan.
Angels are invisible, immortal, but as much as the human soul is invisible and immortal. That is, to the extent that God allows them this prosperity. In Orthodoxy, angels are associated with two elements - fire and air. With fire, they cleanse sinners, carry divine wrath, retribution. And they are like the wind, because they are carried along the earth at a tremendous speed in order to fulfill the highest will as quickly as possible.
Angelic ranks are an important part heavenly kingdom, because without them there will be no order, discipline. It is with their help that it becomes clear how the hierarchy of divine essences works. It was from them that humanity received an understanding of how their own society should work.
Angels- the essence of the Heavenly Host, according to the words of the Gospel: “And suddenly there appeared with the Angel a large Heavenly Host, glorifying God and crying: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will in men” (Luke 2: 13-14).
God sends Angels to proclaim His commands. Therefore, they are called Angels, that is, messengers.
There are countless angels, the human mind is lost in their countless host.
But here the order that reigns among the heavenly spirits is amazing. Order, harmony is the beauty of perfection, wisdom and the truth of God. In the Kingdom of Heaven there is no monotony and stagnation - there is diversity, movement, activity, striving, great, polysyllabic activity, unknown to us here on earth.
Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the holy Apostle Paul, who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12: 2), who saw the difference in the ranks of the holy Angels there, and explained this to Dionysius how he divides the Angels into nine ranks, and divides the nine Angelic ranks into three hierarchy - each of three ranks - the highest, middle and lowest.
First, highest and to Holy Trinity the nearest hierarchy are: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones, second, middle - Power, Dominance, Strength... The third includes Beginnings, Archangels, Angels(Dionysius the Areopagite "On the Heavenly Hierarchy").
The God-loving six-winged ones are closest to their Creator and Creator. Seraphim as the prophet Isaiah saw: “Around Him stood the Seraphim; each of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his legs, and with two he flew. And they cried out to one another and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! the whole earth is full of His glory! " (Isa. 6: 2-3).
The seraphim are fire-like, as those who immediately stood before Him, about whom it is written: "The sight of the glory of the Lord on the top of the mountain was before the eyes of the children of Israel, like a consuming fire" (Exodus 24:17), His throne is a flame of fire (Dan. 7: 9) because our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).
Seraphim are aflame with love for God and excite others to the same love, as their very name shows, for "Seraphim" in translation from the Hebrew language means: flaming.
After the Seraphim, before the Omniscient God, who lives in an inaccessible light, there are many more and you are e Cherubim always shining with the light of knowledge of God, with the knowledge of the mysteries and depths of the wisdom of God, they themselves are enlightened and enlighten others. The name Cherubim in translation from the Hebrew language means: much understanding or an outpouring of wisdom, for through the Cherubim wisdom is sent down to others and enlightenment for the knowledge of God and the knowledge of God is given.
Then before the Almighty the God-bearing Thrones, for on them, as on rational thrones (as Saint Maximus the Confessor writes), God rests. Resting on them in an incomprehensible way, God performs His righteous judgment, according to what David said: “For you carried out my judgment and my litigation; You are seated on the throne, the righteous Judge ”(Psalm 9: 5). Therefore, through them, the justice of God is mainly manifested, helping earthly judges, kings, rulers and rulers to carry out righteous judgment.
In the middle hierarchy, as mentioned above, there are also three orders of holy Angels: Dominance, Strength and Authority.
Domination They send down power to prudent possession and wise management of earthly powers, set by God, teach to master feelings, humble obscene desires and passions, enslave the flesh to the spirit, dominate one's will and be above all temptation.
Forces filled with Divine strength and immediately fulfill the will of the Most High. They work great miracles and send down the grace of miracles to the saints of God, so that they can work miracles, heal diseases, foretell the future, help toiling and burdened people in bearing the obedience imposed on them, which explains their name of Power, that is, they bear the infirmities of the weak. Forces strengthen each person in the endurance of sorrows and misfortunes.
Authorities have power over the devil, tame the power of demons, repel temptations directed at people, do not allow demons to harm anyone to the extent that they wish, assert good ascetics in spiritual exploits and labors, protecting them so that they do not lose their spiritual kingdoms. Those who struggle with passions and lusts are helped to drive away evil thoughts, slander of the enemy and to overcome the devil.
There are also three ranks in the lower hierarchy: Beginnings, Archangels and Angels.
Beginnings rule over the lower Angels, directing them to the fulfillment of Divine commands. They are also entrusted with the administration of the universe and the protection of all kingdoms and principalities, lands and all peoples, tribes and yaz NS kov.
Archangels the great evangelists are called, preaching the great and glorious. Archangels reveal prophecies, knowledge and understanding of the will of God, strengthen the holy faith in people, enlightening their minds with the light of the knowledge of the Holy Gospel and reveal the mysteries of godly faith.
Angels in the Heavenly hierarchy below all ranks and closest to people. They proclaim the lesser secrets and intentions of God and instruct people to live virtuously and righteously for God, protect us from all evil. Angels are assigned to keep every Christian: they support us from falling, the fallen ones raise us up and never leave us, even if we have sinned, for they are always ready to help us, if only we ourselves wish.
The Savior's words provide us with a compelling testimony about the Guardian Angels: “See, do not despise any of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven ”(Matthew 18:10).
And not only every person has his own Guardian Angel, but also every family, every pious society, every state.
The Prophet Moses says to the people of Israel: “When the Most High gave inheritance to the nations and settled the sons of men, then he set the limits of the nations according to the number of the Angels of God” (Deut. 32: 8).
But all the highest heavenly ranks are called by a common name - Angels. Although according to their position and according to the grace given from God they have different names - Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Power, Authority, Beginnings, Archangels, Angels - however, they are generally called Angels, for the word Angel is not a name for a creature, but for ministry. , according to the written: "Aren't they all the ministry spirits sent to the ministry ..." (Heb. 1:14).
So, the Angels, fulfilling the will of God, as serving spirits, take an active, living part in the fate of mankind. Thus, Angels proclaim the will of God to people, watch over states (Deut. 32: 8), guard human societies, regions, cities, monasteries, churches and rule over various parts of the earth (Apoc. 7, 1; 14, 18), have an influence on private affairs of people (Gen. 32, 1-2), encourage, preserve (Dan. b, 22), lead out of prison (Acts 5, 19-20; 12, 7-9), are present at the exodus of the soul from the body, accompany her march through the air ordeals, raise our prayers to God and intercede for us themselves (Apoc. 8: 3). Angels come to serve men (Heb. 1:14), teach the truth, virtues, enlighten the mind, strengthen the will and protect people from troubles in life (Gen. 16, 7-12). You can read about the appearances of good Angels in the Holy Scriptures - Gen. 18, 2-22; 28, 12; Nav. 5, 13-14; OK. 1, 11, 26, 28; Mt. 2, 13; Acts. 5, 19; 10, 31; 12, 7.
Over all nine Heavenly ranks The Archangel Michael, as a faithful servant of God, has been appointed by God as an official and a leader of the angels.
Archangel Michael, during the pernicious fall into the pride of Satan, his apostasy from God and falling into the abyss, having gathered all the ranks and armies of the Angel, exclaimed in a loud voice: “Let us behold, let us become good before our Creator and let us not think about what is disgusting to God! Let us understand that those who were created together with us and who have hitherto been partakers of the divine light with us have suffered! Let us see how, for the sake of pride, they suddenly fell into darkness from the light and fell from a height into the abyss! Let us see how the rising morning of Dennitsa slept from the sky and was crushed on the ground ”
(Grigory Dvoeslov. "Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel").
Speaking in this way to the entire cathedral of Angels, he, standing in front, began with the Seraphim and Cherubim and with all the Heavenly orders to glorify the Most Holy, Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity, the One God, singing the solemn song according to:
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, fill heaven and earth with Thy glory!"
Angels are usually depicted with two wings to indicate the speed with which they strive to fulfill the commands of God in different parts of the universe.
From Holy Scripture the names of the Archangels are known. Each of them has a special ministry.
What is the hierarchy of angels in Christianity? There are seraphim, cherubim, archangels ... And who is behind whom in seniority?
The basis for the creation of the church doctrine of angels is the book by Dionysius the Areopagite "On the Heavenly Hierarchy" written in the 5th century, better known in the 6th century edition. The nine angelic ranks are divided into three triads, each of which has its own peculiarity.
First triad- seraphim, cherubim and thrones - characterized by close proximity to God;
Second triad- strength, domination and power - emphasizes the divine basis of the universe and world domination;
Third triad- the beginning, the archangels and the angels proper - is characterized by close proximity to man.
Dionysius summed up what had been accumulated before him. Seraphim, cherubim, powers and angels are already mentioned in the Old Testament; in the New Testament, dominions, beginnings, thrones, authorities and archangels appear.
According to the classification of Gregory the Theologian (IV century), the angelic hierarchy consists of angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principles, forces, radiance, ascents and understandings.
According to their position in the hierarchy, the nine angelic ranks are arranged as follows:
First hierarchy
Seraphim
Cherubim
Thrones
Second hierarchy
Domination
Third hierarchy
Archangels
1. Seraphim
Seraphim are angels of love, light and fire. They occupy the highest position in the hierarchy of ranks and serve God, caring for his throne. Seraphim express their love for God by constantly singing psalms of praise.
2. Cherubim
The 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 impart divine knowledge to others.
3. Thrones
The 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.
4. Dominance
Dominion saints are empowered enough to rise above and free from earthly desires and aspirations. Their duty is to distribute the responsibilities of the angels.
5. Forces
The forces known as "glittering or shining" are the angels of miracles, help, blessings that appear during battles in the name of faith.
The main responsibilities of these angels are to perform miracles on Earth.
They are allowed to interfere with everything about physical laws on earth, but they are also responsible for enforcing those laws. By this rank, the fifth in the Hierarchy of Angels, valor as well as mercy is given to humanity.
6. Authorities
Authority is on the same level as dominion and power, and is endowed with power and intelligence second only to God. They provide the balance of the universe.
7. Beginnings
The beginnings are legions of angels defending religion. They constitute the seventh choir in the hierarchy of Dionysius, 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.
8. Archangels
Archangels - this word is of Greek origin and is translated as "angelic leaders", "senior angels". According to the Christian heavenly hierarchy, they sit directly above the angels. The religious tradition has seven archangels. The main one here is Michael the Archangel - the leader of the armies of angels and people in their universal battle with Satan. Michael's weapon is a fiery sword.
9. Angels
Both Greek and Hebrew words for angel mean messenger. Angels are the disembodied helpers of God. They appear as people with wings and a halo of light around their heads.
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 who inspire good deeds, supernatural bearers of all kinds of messages or mentors, and even impersonal forces, like the winds, cloud pillars or fire that led the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Plague and pestilence are called evil angels. Many other phenomena, like inspiration, sudden impulses, providences, are also attributed to angels.
According to the teachings of the church, angels are asexual invisible spirits, immortal from the day of their creation. There are many angels, which follows from the Old Testament description of God - "Lord of the host." They form a hierarchy of angels and archangels of the entire host of heaven.
Angels served as intermediaries between God and his people. The Old Testament says that no one could see God and remain alive, therefore direct communication between the Almighty and man is often depicted as communication with an angel.
