The highest angelic ranks are Thrones, Seraphim and Cherubim. Heavenly hierarchy of angels in orthodox Christianity

While collecting material for this book, I discovered several systems of angelic hierarchy. All these systems, which at first can confuse you, were born in the human imagination. Often they are so conservative and so attached to a particular religious system that their original purpose is lost. But can we ignore these works? Someone spent a lot of time creating them. We do not know what were the aspirations and intentions of these people. 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 with what is already there, but expand my knowledge in the field of magic. In my research, I suffered a number of defeats. For example, I cannot believe that God created a huge number of angels whose only task is to "praise the heavenly host." It's akin to creating your own support group. Is God really that selfish? Of course not, because selfishness is a purely human trait. Perhaps the real task of the angels is to fill the vessel with positive energy from which all levels of existence can draw.

I was also perplexed about the fact that the angels (male, in this case) were so amazed 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.

It's a fine plot for a novel, but it doesn't lend itself well to the smooth running of a universe in which humans, not angels, are the element of chaos. Just because 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 are probably thinking that all this does not help us understand the hierarchy of angels. But perhaps you are wrong. Understanding our own failures helps us realize that there can be problems in these systems too. This is good. We can work with that and get closer to the more important stuff. First of all, we must get rid of the feeling that we are not good enough to communicate with angels.

Remember, in chapter 2, I wrote that the angels are there to help us fulfill our purpose? 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 ranks have performed certain duties and directed the flows of energy, subject only to them. Some religions teach that many mortals, having gone through all earthly incarnations, become members of one of the Nine orders of angels. The nine orders of angels are divided into three groups, or triads:

Angels of the first triad

Seraphim Cherubim. Thrones

Angels of the second triad

Dominions of the Force of Power

Angels of the third triad

Beginnings Archangels Angels

Angels of the first triad

The first triad of angels is responsible for the Universe and manifestations of the divine in it, acting at the highest astral level. Some consider them angels of pure contemplation, but for me, contemplation means "to sit back and think about different things." Perhaps this means that they manifest their energy through pure thought. I like this idea more. These angels have the deepest knowledge of the deity, its inner workings and manifestations. The angels of the first triad are seraphim, cherubim, and thrones.

seraphim

Seraphim stand closest to the deity, they protect, guard and glorify him and are considered angels of pure love, light and fire. They provide tranquility, protect the deity from the infiltration of negative energy, and help create and carry positive energy through all orders of angels and into the physical worlds. They surround the deity in order to ensure its continued existence and give this energy to us to keep us alive. Presumably, four chiefs stand above these angels, corresponding to the four winds of the Earth, each of which beats the air with six wings. The ruler of the seraphim is Joel, Metatron or Michael. Other angels named in this order are Seraphiel, Uriel, Kemuel, 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 need for them in the Universe. This especially applies to the four archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel).

Seraphim (beings of pure light) shine so brightly that a mortal would 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 that their faces are like lightning, and their clothes are dazzling, like arctic ice. They never stop moving and acting.

Magicians can access seraphim because we are so good at praying and calling 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? They have more magic than many boastful adepts." I don't doubt it.

The word "seraphim" means "ardor". In other words, these angels work with all-consuming divine love and compassion. You can't just walk up to a seraph on the astral level and say, "How are you?" Mortals meet with them by invitation only. I don't mean to say that seraphim don't interact with humans at all. You can call on them and ask for their help in magical activities, but you are unlikely to ever see them. If your guardian angel belongs to the seraphim, you may be drawn into some kind of change in the world or human consciousness at a time 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 cherubs. They evolved into the elements of the sun and became associated with certain planets. They 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 one for the seraphim.

Cherubim

Cherubim are the guardians of light and stars. They also create and conduct positive energy from the deity, and their form is perfect. It is assumed that they shine more than all other angels. These creatures are Assyrian or Akkadian in origin, and their name means "contributors to reconciliation." They are powerful spirits of knowledge and boundless love. Interestingly, in the human mind, they exist as half-humans, half-animals. The ancient statues that were placed in front of the entrance to the temples to protect the holy land represent them with human faces and the bodies of bulls or lions. Initially, they were not angels at all, but over time they made their way into the heavenly hierarchy. Maybe this is an ancient race, which now functions not on the physical, but on the astral level? Cherubim are viewed by mortals as a hybrid of "beauty and the beast". Cherubim watch over all galaxies, collecting and distributing energy where necessary, and also guard the temples of any religion, from architectural masterpieces to squalid huts.

Cherubim can also act as personal guardians, fighting with fiery swords when necessary. Sometimes cherubs are depicted in a more frightening form with four faces and four wings, this must be their mystical representation, associating cherubs with four winds. They are both sacred animals and chariots of the deity. Their names are Ophaniel, Rikbeel, Cherubiel, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel and Zophiel. It is hard to imagine why in art these strong angels turned into dwarfs with baby faces. I prefer to stick to the notion of creatures with lion faces and a human body. Of course, you can represent them by others.

In magic, when you seek protection, wisdom and knowledge, look to the cherubs. Many Egyptian deities, especially Sekhmet, Bayet and Anubis, may have been cherubs.

Some archaeologists believe that the famous Sphinx (a giant sculpture with a human head and a lion's body) may not belong to Egyptian culture, but to the culture of an undiscovered Civilization that existed before the Egyptian one. To summon the cherubs, 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 that are mentioned in this book belong to the category of thrones. They create, conduct and collect incoming and outgoing positive energy. Thrones are called "many-eyed" and are a kind of divine private investigators, as well as teachers of obedience. The name "thrones" comes from the idea that all the power of the deity rests on their strong shoulders. Justice and the administration of justice are very important to them. They can highlight 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 Zaphkiel. Other names are given - Razzil and Jophiel. Thrones are very interested in the affairs of mortals, although they may channel energy through your guardian angel rather than interact directly with you.

In magick, invoke Thrones to help build relationships with groups of people or between two individuals. Refer to the thrones if you are in search of stability, as well as for any issues related to the planets or planetary energies. To invoke 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 (domination, strength, power) govern 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 within it. Some theological scholars argue that the angels of the second triad are completely unconcerned about mortals and are too busy “cosmically; mi" problems; but I don't believe that their communication system is so bad that prayers and outbursts of human energy are wasted. I also do not believe in their arrogance and arrogance towards people.

dominance

The dominions fulfill the role of divine leaders, whose efforts are aimed at uniting the material and the spiritual without losing control. They carry symbols of power such as a scepter and an orb. The prince of this rank is Hashmal or Zadkiel. Interestingly, Dominion is also the name of an elder angel. Other angels who are also called princes of dominions are Muriel and Zakariel.

In magic, all matters of leadership fall under the control of dominions. They embody the law of cause and effect and precision in work. Dominations endow a person with the gift of a “natural leader” and make sure that his subordinates are healthy and happy. They do not approve of corrupt governments, politicians, ecclesiastical and political leaders who put personal interests ahead of the public. If you want to achieve divine wisdom, look to the dominions. They are excellent mediators and arbitrators. If you are starting an important project or something has stalled in current affairs, contact the dominions. To summon dominions, light a white candle for the deity and a pink one for dominions.

Forces

Forces trace the history of mankind. The angels of birth and death are of this genus. They organize world religions and send out divine energy to support their positive aspects. Their main task is to regulate chaos. Some theologians believe that the powers were created before the other angelic orders. They are seen as divine warriors who operate not through fear and hatred, but through all-encompassing love. The powers are the angels of warning; they will warn you if anyone is going to harm you. This warning can come in many ways: as a sensation, a dream, or a snippet of conversation. This means that you must learn to listen to what the angels are telling you. They work through the sixth sense of a person, forcing us to listen to them. Until now, there is a dispute about who heads 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 rank.

In magic, they are considered warrior angels and you should call on them when you are in trouble. 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 upon them for protection. To invoke powers, light a white candle for the deity and a yellow one for powers.

Authorities

The main work of the authorities is to move the spiritual energy to the level of the earth and the collective human consciousness. Known as "wonder angels", they are known for 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, Barviel, Chaniel, Gamaliel, Tarshish, Peliel, Sabriel, Uzziel.
The authorities are especially supportive of those who try to achieve more than others expect from them. They love enterprising and successful positive people who try 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 cause damage to our planet. Earth, air, weather and planetary catastrophes associated with 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, contact 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 the principles, the 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 promote global reforms. You'll find them in boardrooms and brokerage houses, even in swimming pools, wherever people gather in groups to study, make decisions, or just for fun. They also create and transmit positive energies from the physical to the divine and back. The patrons of religion and politics, they watch over the leaders of mankind to help them make fair decisions. The main ruling angels of this degree are Recuil, Anael, Kerviel and Nisroc. According to Egyptian beliefs, the ruler among them is Surot.

With the help of magic, you can call these angels in case of discrimination, destruction of animals or (God forbid!) genocide, violation of the laws by those who manage anything - from a country to a company, or if you do not have enough strength to make the necessary decisions regarding large groups of people. Human rights and economic reforms are the top priority to begin with. 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 assigned to one of the other triads or another rank. They love to communicate with mortals, although they can not 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, see chapter 4.

Angels

Angels are beings assigned to a specific person. 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 our 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 times of trouble, help us adjust to the world and fulfill our divine plan by calling on the other powers of the Nine Orders of Angels when we need them. However, many 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 guardian angels in Chapter 7, which will be dedicated to them alone.
Our guardian angels are always in contact with all the angels of the Nine Orders. 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. 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 possibilities and paths for you that you could not discover on your own.
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. To summon your guardian angel, light a candle of your favorite color. Place a white candle for the deity nearby.

The ebb and flow of energy to the mortal or from the mortal to the 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 governed by angels. They can change anyone's fate at any time. But an angel will never become an accomplice of evil. They seek justice with force and love, but without cruelty. Stories about "merciless angels" scare only fools.

We can magically interact with any angel from the Nine orders of angels. For example, if you want to heal the planet, you must find a special rank in charge of it. All angels are attuned to 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 Virgin 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. When we doubt the power of the angels to help us, we cut off our connection with them. Unbelief or fear erects a barrier between us and the angels.

Spell for nine ranks

Glittering Seraphim, I call upon you.
Draw a circle, bring me love.
Mighty cherub, guard my gates
Take away sorrow and hatred from me.
Thrones, stand strong, make me resolute,
Help me to keep steady on land and sea.
I call for domination, whose power is beyond doubt,
To be honest in everything I do.
Forces create circles of protection
Help me, weather and storm.
Miraculous powers hover nearby,
They give me the energy of the elements.
Beginnings bring global change,
Blessing the world and every newborn.
Glorious archangels show me the way
Leading to peace and harmony of every day.
Guardian angel, powerful deity,
Bless me with your guiding light.

Appeal to the nine orders of angels

The fact that you have chosen this book and are thinking about how to do magick with angels makes you a very special person. You are probably one in a thousand. Few have the courage to practice magick with angels, as this means that you must 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 at any time and in any place. They are not as picky as we are.

One delightful winter morning, I hit the local department store and grocery store on business. There I suddenly began to look at people - I mean, 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. To my surprise, I realized that the ground 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 they were most worried about. 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 about 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 make-up. I felt like I had entered the twilight zone.

I walked and felt my angels next to me. They were large 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 of the people in my area do not always benevolent to the people you meet. I understood that those who smiled broadly felt the presence of angels, but could not realize what they felt. I felt huge. I felt great. I felt that I was loved. I touched harmony.

As I was walking to my car, the idea of ​​invoking the Nine Orders of Angels came to my mind. This is your first introduction to all types of angels, let them know that you are ready to invite them into your life and do 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 Orders of Angels, so you need eleven candles. If you want, you can use candles of the colors that I recommended to you earlier.

Make sure you are not disturbed during this ritual. While talking with the angels, you should not be interrupted by phone calls, TV, guests or family members.

Go to the angelic altar and light candles or lamps. Take a deep breath while 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 has to come from your heart. Light both white candles, saying:

I light this candle for the Lord.
I light this candle for the Virgin.

If you are familiar with magic, then it's time to draw a magic circle. Choose which way you like to create the circle. If you don't know how to draw a magic circle, see Chapter 6 of this book; if you don't want to draw a circle, just imagine yourself surrounded by white light.

Line up the candles 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 work magic with the angels and help my fellowmen and the planet with all my might. May it be so.

Relax and meditate on what you just said. Feel that your guardian angel is close to you and confirm that you will listen to the messages being conveyed to you.

Light the archangel candle and say the following:

I light this archangel candle and invite this archangel into my life. I vow to work magic with the archangels and help my fellowmen and the planet with all my might. May it be so.

As before, relax and think about the archangels and what they mean to you.

Go to the rest of the ranks, each time to one of them, lighting a candle, calling angels, pronouncing an oath. Meditate on each rank.

When you have done all this, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Open yourself to universal harmony.

At the end of the work, contact the angels that you have called. The conversion can be big or small, it doesn't matter.

Speak the appeal loudly and firmly.

Take a deep breath again and relax. Thank the angels for responding and helping you. If you. o draw 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 (story of St. Cztrin Labur)

I am not a Catholic and never have been, but when I first read this story, my heart raced and goosebumps ran through my body. I believe there is no better 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 Labourg woke up on the Rue du Bac in Paris and saw a shining 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 seclusion 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 the ball, bathed in bright light, and dressed in sunlight. There were rings on each of her fingers. When she opened her palms, brightly burning beams of fire burst out of 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 escape from my hands symbolize the grace given to me to pass on to those of our children who ask me about it.

Jewels that do not emit rays are favors that my children forgot to ask for. The light of angels symbolizes their power and presence on earth. Let me help you my children. Seek the light of angels.

Katherine's vision intensified. Rays from the hands of the queen lit a fire in all parts of the ball. The golden door to the Land of Summer wavered like an oval around the vision. The Queen of Angels said:

Divine will commands that a medal be made with the image of this heavenly vision, which is bestowed upon you. The medal will always be a token of my protection and the presence of angels to guide you on the paths of unconditional divine love for you. All who wear this medal with faith will be showered with graces, blessings and endowed with strength.

This medal was made and distributed among Catholics around the world. The 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 Our Lady herself.

After researching this story, I decided to visit a 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 was strong and could not 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, consecrated, and energized these items. There is a prayer on the back of the card. I have compiled my own spell to suit my personal spiritual needs:

Merciful Goddess, I reunite with you in the name of Our Lady, Queen of Angels, who brought this Miraculous medal. May this medal be to me a convincing sign of your maternal affection and a constant reminder of the oath I swore to my religion. Bless me with your loving protection and protection for your Spouse. The most powerful Virgin, Mother and Foremother! Let me be with you every minute of my life, so that I, like you, can live and act in such a way as to fulfill my vow. With this medal, I will call upon angelic powers to help my fellowmen and control my own life. May it be so.

If you don't like using the Miraculous Medal, don't worry about it. I took a little time to find a medal without a cross on the back. I don't want to use cross jewelry as this sign denotes attack and has a hidden meaning to me. You are free to choose other jewelry which is more convenient for you. A Jew can use a 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 you have identified in the dedication and prayer above.

Catholics have a prayer that they use in all difficulties. I'll bring it here, and then we'll rewrite it a bit so it's in line 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 read by the angel Gabriel.
Oh blessed Mary. 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 follow an alternative religion, you can pronounce it like this:
O Lady, blessed, God is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Husband and Son. Holy Goddess, Mother of the Earth, perform the sacrament for your children, now and in our hour of need. May it be so.

Queen of Angels and Magic Circle

The Queen of Angels sends seraphim to collect human prayers and deliver them to the deity. All the angels are deeply devoted to her and she has her own angel retinue. Thus, when you draw a magic circle and invoke the Lord or Lady, you also invoke the 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 as you draw 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 are going badly. I'll give myself as an example. I pored over this angelic book, sometimes feeling tired and devastated, but thinking that my life was in order, when suddenly a professional discord overtook me in the midst of a difficult period. Feeling very unhappy and acutely aware that my whole life was going downhill, I went to my angelic altar and lit two white candles. I called on my guardian angel and asked that this transition in my life be as painless as possible and that I find out what caused it without being blinded by human emotions and selfishness. .

Once I read that mortals are conductors of spiritual energy to the material world, and angels are conductors of material energy to the spiritual world. Together we create a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds. I also understood that in order to continue my work, I must get rid of negative emotions - doubts, anger, self-dissatisfaction and introspection, which boil 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 of 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 with him all doubts, fears or thoughts of unhappiness.

I summoned the Lady with the help of Edgar Allan P's poem about:

Morning, noon, dusk
Lady, you hear my hymn:
In joy and sorrow, in health and sickness,
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 may be,
Your mercy leads to you.
Now that the storms of fate
Covered with darkness my present and future,
May my hope be in you
Make my future shine.

Then I reread Gabriel's prayer several times, turning it into a power-enhancing mantra:

O Lady, full of mercy, God is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Husband and Son. Holy Goddess, Mother of the Earth, perform the sacrament for your children, now and in our hour of need. May it be so.

The problem was solved within a day.

Other hierarchies

I mentioned earlier that there are several hierarchies of angels. Although I have chosen to work with the Nine Angelic Orders, I would not like to discard Jewish mysticism. The Kabbalah mentions ten Sephiroth (singular - Sephira). Each represents a world of its own that requires deep exploration through imaginary journeys, personal encounters with the divine, etc. Angels are present in each sephirah. The names of the Sephiroth are Foundation, Splendor, Eternity, Beauty, Power, Grace, Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding and Perfection (Crown). The diagram representing these forces is shaped like a tree. At the roots of this tree is the guardian angel Sandalphon, who spreads through the tree and goes into the universe. The other angels on the tree are Safkiel, the angel of contemplation; Raphael, divine physician; Gabriel, who governs spiritual wisdom; Michael, commander-in-chief of the heavenly host. At the top is Metatron. We will be discussing all of these angels throughout the book.

Medieval Christian theologians identified several levels or angelic choirs in the angelic hierarchy. The most famous of these classifications is presented in the treatise "On the Heavenly Hierarchy" ("Latin De caelesti hierarchia"), where Dionysius the Areopagite unfolds a hierarchy of three triads.

However, in the Middle Ages, other schemes were also proposed - both expanding the Areopagitics and representing other, different options. So, for some authors, the number of ranks was limited to seven. In some variants, the reverse order of ranking was justified.

Some scholastics believed that angels and archangels had a lower rank and were the only ones who were directly involved in the affairs of the human world.

At the same time, the authors of "De caelesti hierarchia" and "Summa Theologica", referring to the New Testament, and, in particular, to the Epistle to the Ephesians (1:21) and Colossians (1:16), substantiated the idea of ​​three degrees, spheres , or triads of angels, each of which contained three ranks, or "chorus".

By the method of comparative analysis of the Old and New Testaments, including etymological and semantic analysis, the aforementioned theological works (with known variations between individual authors) deduced the angelic hierarchy in the following (descending) order:

First degree (sphere)(according to Old Testament sources)

• seraphim
• Cherubim
• Thrones (also in the New Testament)

Second degree (sphere)(according to New Testament sources)

• dominance
• Authorities

Third degree (sphere)

• Beginnings
• Archangels
• Angels

In the writings of Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, these spheres are called, respectively, epiphany, hyperphany and hypophany. At the same time, the ranks of the second and third spheres of his hierarchical list are also combined in pairs.

The theologian deduces the presence of these pairs of ranks from their etymological similarity and the obvious similarity for him in the description of their functions.

He also explains how the statement in 1 Peter 3:22 applies to these couples:

• Thrones and Dominions
• Principles and Powers (Eph 6:12)
• Archangels and Angels

Photo gallery

Useful information

Angelic hierarchy
English Christian angelic hierarchy

First sphere

seraphim

In Heb. שׂרף‎ (saraf) - singular "flaming", "fiery". The ending "-im" indicates plural. hours (Hebrew שׂרפים‎, read sraphim); this distinction is observed in lat. seraph - seraphi, eng. Seraph - Seraphim, etc.

When borrowing in Russian, the plural form. seraphim was taken as a singular, and the plural was already formed from it: seraphim - seraphim.

Sometimes the etymology is deepened to the original source of the Hebrew word - among the Egyptians seref meant "griffin" - it is this word form that is used in Numbers 21:6 and Is. 14:29 to designate snake-like lightning.

Actually, the seraphim are mentioned only in Is.6:2-3, where according to the text they appeared to the gaze of a man with six wings, two wings covered their faces, two lower parts of the body (legs), two flew, praising the holiness of God.

In the angelic hierarchy, the purpose of the seraphim is also to embody the holy purposes of God on earth.

In biblical usage, seraphim are a rank of angels who worship God and serve the needs of people.

In the apocryphal Book of Enoch it is called Seraphiel. He has the head of an eagle, but he emits such a bright light that no one, not even other angels, can see him.

Cherubim

As in the word "seraphim", the ending "-im" indicates plural. hours (Hebrew כרובים‎, read kerubim); this distinction is observed in lat. cherub - cherubi, eng. Cherub - Cherubim or Cherubs.

When borrowing in Russian, the plural form. cherubim was perceived as a singular, and the plural was already formed from it: cherubim - cherubim.

There are several etymological hypotheses, but there are no decisive arguments in favor of any one.

In the Talmud, Heb. כרוב‎ is derived from Aram. כרביא - "like a young man".

In the last quarter of the XIX century. Friedrich Delitzsch related this morpheme to kirubu = shedu, the Assyrian name for the winged bull.

A number of Assyriologists (Feuchtwang, Teloni, Budge and others) in 1885 objected to this hypothesis. Later, Delic gave another version of the bundle - "karubu" (great, powerful).

In 1897 Karppe and then Haupt suggested that כרוב might be Babylonian, and then it means not powerful, but benevolent, benevolent, merciful (synonymous with "damḳu").

In the biblical view, the cherubim, along with the seraphim, are closest to the Almighty.

In Christianity, the second, following the seraphim, is the angelic rank.

Thrones

Thrones - according to Dionysius: "God-bearing" (Eze 1:15-21; 10:1-17) - on them the Lord sits as on a throne and pronounces His Judgment.

In general, the life of any person determines the subtle world, having a huge influence on it. In ancient times, everyone knew that it was the subtle world that determined the physical plane. At the moment, few people remember this and want to think in this direction. And this is a very important aspect of life, because there are creatures that help us in life, and there are those who try to lead us astray and sometimes even destroy us.

Angels of Heaven

To see all 9 ranks of angels, you should pay attention to the "Assumption" by Botticini. On it are three triads of angels. Before creating our world, visible and physical, God created heavenly, spiritual forces and called them angels. It was they who began to play an intermediary role between the Creator and people. The translation of this word from Hebrew literally sounds like “messenger”, from Greek - “messenger”.

Angels are called incorporeal beings who have free will and great power. According to information from the Old and New Testaments in the Angelic Hierarchy, there are certain angelic ranks, the so-called steps. Most Jewish and Christian theologians were engaged in the creation of a unified classification of these ranks. At the moment, the angelic hierarchy has spread the most, which was created in the fifth century and is called the "nine ranks of the angels."

nine ranks

It follows from this system that there are three triads. The first, or higher, included the Seraphim and Cherubim, as well as the Thrones. The middle triad includes the angelic ranks of Domination, Strength and Power. And in the lowest caste of ranks are the Principles, Archangels and Angels.

seraphim

It is believed that it is precisely the Seraphim who are closest to God that can be called those who occupy the highest angelic rank. It is written about them in the Bible that the prophet Isaiah became a witness of their arrival. He compared them with fiery figures, so the translation of this word from Hebrew means "Flaming".

Cherubim

It is this caste that follows the Seraphim in the angelic hierarchy. Their main purpose is to intercede for the human race and pray for souls before God. In addition, it is believed that they serve as a memory and are the guards of the Heavenly Book of Knowledge. The knowledge of the Cherubim extends to everything that a being created can know. In Hebrew, cherub means intercessor.

In their power are the mysteries of God and the depth of his wisdom. It is believed that this particular caste of angels is the most enlightened among all. It is their responsibility to discover in man the knowledge and vision of God. Seraphim and Cherubim, along with the third representatives of the first triad, interact with people.

Thrones

Their position before the seated God. They are called God-bearing, but not in the truest sense of the word, but because of the goodness within them and because they faithfully serve the Son of God. In addition, evolutionary information is hidden in them. Basically, it is they who perform God's justice, help earthly representatives of power to fairly judge their people.

According to the medieval mystic Jan van Ruysbroku, representatives of the higher triad under no circumstances interfere in human conflicts. But at the same time they are next to people in moments of insight and knowledge of the world. It is believed that they are able to carry the highest love in the hearts of people.

dominance

The angelic ranks of the second triad begin with Dominions. The fifth rank of angels, Dominions, has free will, thanks to which the daily work of the Universe is ensured. In addition, they govern the angels who are lower in the hierarchy. Because they are completely free, their love for the Creator is impartial and sincere. It is they who give strength to earthly rulers and managers so that they act wisely and fairly, owning lands and ruling people. In addition, they are able to teach how to manage feelings, protecting from unnecessary outbursts of passion and lust, to enslave the flesh to the spirit, so that it is possible to control one's will and not succumb to temptations of various kinds.

Forces

This caste of angels is full of Divine strength, in their power is the fulfillment of the instantaneous will of God, showing his strength and strength. It is they who work the miracles of God and are able to give a person grace, with the help of which he can see what is coming or heal earthly diseases.

They are able to strengthen a person’s patience, remove his grief, strengthen his spirit and give courage so that he can cope with all life’s hardships and problems.

Authorities

It is the responsibility of the Authorities to keep the keys to the Devil's cage and contain his hierarchy. They are able to tame demons, repel an attack on the human race, deliver from demonic temptation. Also, their duties include approving good people for their spiritual exploits and labors, protecting them and preserving their right to the kingdom of God. It is they who help drive away all evil thoughts, passions and lust, as well as the enemies of a person are taken away and help to defeat the Devil in oneself. If we consider the personal level, then angels help a person during the battle of good and evil. And when a person dies, they accompany his soul and help him not to go astray.

Beginnings

These include legions of angels whose purpose is to protect religion. Their name is such, due to the fact that they direct the lower angelic ranks, it is they who help them to do things pleasing to God. In addition, their mission is to manage the universe and protect everything that the Lord has created. According to some reports, every nation and every ruler has his own angel, called to protect him from evil. The prophet Daniel said that the angels of the Persian and Jewish kingdoms make sure that all the rulers who have been placed on the throne strive not for enrichment and glory, but for the spread and increase of the glory of God, so that they benefit their people, serving their needs.

Archangels

The archangel is a great evangelist. Its main mission is the discovery of prophecies, understanding and knowledge of the will of the Creator. They receive this knowledge from the higher ranks in order to convey it to the lower ones, who will subsequently convey it to people. According to St. Gregory the Dialogist, the purpose of angels is to strengthen faith in a person, to open its mysteries. Archangels, whose names can be found in the Bible, are the most known to man.

Angels

This is the lowest rank in the hierarchy of heaven and the closest being to people. They guide people on the path, help them in everyday life not to deviate from their path. Every believer has his own guardian angel. They support every virtuous person from falling, they try to raise everyone who has fallen spiritually, no matter how sinful he is. They are always ready to help a person, the main thing is that he himself wants this help.

It is believed that a person receives his Guardian Angel after the rite of Baptism. He is obliged to protect the subordinate from misfortunes, troubles and help him throughout his life. If a person is threatened by dark forces, you need to pray to the Guardian Angel, and he will help fight them. It is believed that depending on the mission of a person on earth, he may be associated not with one, but with several angels. Depending on how a person lives and how spiritually developed he is, not only lower ranks can work with him, but also Archangels, whose names most people know. It is worth remembering that Satan will not stop and will always tempt people, so the Angels will always be with them in difficult times. Only by living according to the laws of God and developing spiritually can one come to know all the mysteries of religion. In principle, this is all the information that relates to the ranks of Heaven.

The ranks of angels are an important part of Christian culture. After all, even in heaven there is a strict hierarchy. We will help you to understand the angelic Chinaz in this article.

In the article:

The ranks of angels - what is it and why are they needed

The kingdom of God is like any organization. If these words seem blasphemous to you, then think about it - where did people get their structure of society from? God made man in his own image and likeness, which means he gave us a hierarchy. Moreover, remember that it bears the title Archangel, that is, the commander-in-chief of the heavenly host. This alone can say that the orders of angels do exist.

Antique icon Image of St. Michael the Archangel, leader of the heavenly host. Russia XIX century.

What are they created for? As in any organization, so in heaven, there must be a reporting structure. Without it, the organization will be in disarray, anarchy. And just for refusing to obey, he was expelled. And remember that each of the angels has its own, so to speak, field of activity. So without a clear hierarchy, it is simply impossible to establish order in such a structure. In general, nine angelic ranks were created by God precisely in order to manage the heavenly kingdom as efficiently as possible.

The creator, of course, is endowed with limitless power and possibility - how else would he have created the whole world? But it is worth understanding that even he sometimes needs to be distracted from one problem in order to tackle another. Moreover, the real world is too fragile to withstand the direct intervention of a deity. Do not forget, which is the Voice of God. After all, if the Creator addresses a person directly, then he simply cannot withstand the power of a true voice and will die. This is why God needs help. Excess power imposes its limitations.

Nine angelic ranks

Yes, this seemingly monolithic organization has its problems. On at least one occasion, a schism has brewed among the angels. But it happened because of which he was able to attract a few rebels to his side. 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 given 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 no way in Heaven without a hierarchy. Everything is like people. But should this be surprising? Unlikely. Any organization is designed to exclude, so to speak, the human factor. In our case - angelic. It doesn't always work, but how could it be otherwise? Even a being as perfect as God can have mistakes.

9 angelic ranks of the heavenly hierarchy

We have already talked 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 angels. They were created for a reason - each triad unites a certain group of 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. . These six-winged creatures live in constant motion. Often they are confused with the muses, who 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 from them that the protection of the tree of life consists, which appeared after the expulsion of Adam and Eve. The first representatives of the great Distrust, because before the Exile, the tree did not need to be protected. Thrones are not part of the interior. They are the third rank of the first triad, they are often called Mirrors of Wisdom. They reflect the divine providence, and with their help, heavenly souls can predict the future.

The second triad includes powers, dominations and powers. Forces are engaged in transmitting to mortals a piece of divine power. They help in difficult times to take, so to speak, by the head and not despair. Dominations - the middle rank in the angelic hierarchy, personify the craving for freedom and independence, tell people the craving to remove themselves from inequality. Authorities - 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 minions of evil. Carry out manifestations of divine power in the human world.

The third triad completes the hierarchy ladder. It includes principles, archangels and angels. Beginnings - the angelic rank that governs the human Hierarchies. There is a version that it was with their permission that the monarchs were anointed. Archangels are senior angels who govern the actual angels. As an example - the archangel Michael the archangel, the head of the angelic army. Angels are the ones who are most involved in people's lives. 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 can be a different number of them, from 9 to 11. But the most reliable is the one mentioned in the writings of Dionysius the Areopagite. They were written at the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century. This is a whole collection of research texts, the purpose of which was to bring clarity to the lives of celestial beings. The theologian asked difficult questions and tried to answer them as clearly as possible. He did it. The key to such success was the spirituality of the researcher and the most powerful power of thought. He read many texts just to satisfy his and our curiosity. It can be said that the theologian simply summed up everything that had been written before him. And this is true, but partially. Even for such a seemingly simple work, titanic efforts were required.

Angelic ranks in Orthodoxy

Between Orthodox and Catholic there is a difference in culture. She also touched on the roles assigned to the angelic ranks. Yes, if you look in general, the differences will not be evident. All the same, even if different denominations, but one and 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, there are no triads in the Orthodox religion. There are degrees here. There are also three of them, and are called - Higher, Middle, Lower. They differ from each other by "remoteness" from the divine throne. This does not in any way mean that God loves the Lower Degree less than the Highest. Of course not. It's just that if the first one directly contacts people, doing the will of God, then mortals hardly see the second one.

The next big difference is the degree of personalization. In Orthodoxy, individual angelic personalities appear more often. They are honored as intercessors and guardians. In Catholicism, this happens much less frequently. Although here, like the Catholics, there are 9 angels, 9 angelic ranks. Both denominations used the same texts, and small differences can be attributed to different interpretations. , for example, display wisdom rather than guards. They have the highest spiritual wisdom, they can use it. For the good, of course, by suggesting to his brothers 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 more often shown to people. Some higher archangels are given names such as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. Ordinary angels communicate most closely with people, even become personal guardians and intercessors. take guardianship over every mortal, instructing him and helping, pushing along the path of God's Plan, the so-called Great Plan.