Good Morning and Many Blessings Angel Friends,
Until I began my study of angels, I had no idea there were different levels of angls. This is called a hierarchy and I've found the "flow chart" very helpful.
Until the New Testament there were only two orders of angels the Seraphim and Cherubim. Saint Paul extended the number by adding seven new orders bringing-up the number to nine orders... stating that the angels are arranged into nine choirs, which are grouped into three hierarchies, reflecting the Trinity. They are arranged according to their importance; Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels. As in any hierarchy there are different levels and in this case Angels that preside over certain assigned duties or tasks.. Each sphere has a purpose and is in harmony with each other. Working together.
Seraphim - (Singular "Seraph"), mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-7, serve as the caretakers of God's throne and continuously shout praises: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled with His Glory." The name Seraphim means "the burning ones." The Seraphim have six wings. Two of the Seraphim are named Seraphiel and Metatron, and Seraphiel is said to have the head of an eagle. It is said that such a bright light emanates from them that nothing, not even other angelic beings, can look upon them. It is also said that there are four of them surrounding God's throne, where they burn eternally from love and zeal for God.
Cherubim - A cherub, as described by Ezekiel and according to traditional Christian iconography. Cherubim have four faces: one of each a man, an ox, a lion, and a griffon vulture. They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, a lion's body figure, and they have ox's feet. Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden found in Genesis 3:24 and the throne of God found in Ezekiel 28:14-16. The cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24; Exodus 25:17-22; 2 Chronicles 3:7-14; Ezekiel 10:12–14, 28:14-16; 1 Kings 6:23–28; and Revelation 4:6-8. St. Thomas Aquinas theorized that Satan is a fallen Cherub.
Thrones or Ophanim - The Thrones or Elders, also known as the Erelim or Ophanim, are a class of celestial beings mentioned by Paul of Tarsus in Colossians 1:16. They are living symbols of God's justice and authority, and have as one of their symbols the throne. These high celestial beings appear to be mentioned again in Revelation 11:16. The Ophanim are unusual looking even compared to the other celestial beings; They appear as a beryl-coloured wheel-within-a-wheel, their rims covered with hundreds of eyes. They are closely connected with the Cherubim: "When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures [Cherubim] was in the wheels." Ezekiel 10:17
Dominions - The "Dominions" (lat. dominatio, also translated from the Greek term kyriotites as "Lordships") are presented as the hierarchy of celestial beings "Lordships" in the De Coelesti Hierarchia. The Dominions, also known as the Hashmollim, regulate the duties of lower angels. It is only with extreme rarity that the angelic lords make themselves physically known to humans. They are also the angels who preside over nations. The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of angels, but they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their scepters or on the pommel of their swords.
Virtues - The "Virtues" or "Strongholds" lie beyond the Ohanim. Their primary duty is to supervise the movements of the heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. The term coms from the word "might" in Ephesians 1:21, which is also translated as "Virtue". Traditional theological conceptions of the Virtues might appear to describe the same Order called the Thrones. "The name of the holy Virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies; not being weak and feeble for any reception of the divine Illuminations granted to it; mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the Divine Life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the superessential Virtue which is the Source of virtue: fashioning itself, as far as it may, in virtue; perfectly turned towards the Source of virtue, and flowing forth providentially to those below it, abundantly filling them with virtue."
Powers or Authorities - The "Powers" or "Authorities", from the Greek exousies, appear to collaborate, in power and authority, with the Principalities. The Powers are the bearers of conscience and the keepers of history. They are also the warrior angels created to be completely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace, but another theory states that Satan was the Chief of the Powers before he Fell. Their duty is to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their name. Paul used the term rule and authority in Ephesians 1:2, and rulers and authorities in Ephesians 3:10. He may have been referring to the rulers and authorities of humanity, instead of referring to angels.
Third Sphere - Angels who function as heavenly messengers and soldiers.
Principalities or Rulers - The "Principalities" from the latin principatūs also translated as "Princedoms" and "Rulers", from the Greek arche, appear to collaborate, in power and authority with the Powers. The Principalities are shown wearing a crown and carrying a sceptre. Their duty also is said to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and bequeath blessings to the material world. Their task is to oversee groups of people. They are the educators and guardians of the realm of earth. Like beings related to the world of the germinal ideas, they are said to inspire living things to many things such as art or science. Paul used the term rule and authority in Ephesians 1:21, and rulers and authorities in Ephesians 3:10. He may have been referring to the rulers and authorities of men or societies, instead of referring to angels.
Archangels - The word "archangel" comes from the Greek archangělǒs, meaning chief angel, and aggělǒs which means messenger. The word is only used twice in the New Testament in Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 1:9. Only Archangels Gabriel and Michael are mentioned by name in the New Testament. Michael is the only angel the Bible named expressly as "the" archangel. In the Book of Daniel he is referred to as "one of the chief princes". The word "prince" here is the ancient Hebrew word sar, which means a head person, a chief."
Angels - The "angels", from the Greek word angělǒs, are the messengers, and are the lowest order of the angels and the most recognized. They are the ones most concerned with the affairs of living things. Within the category of the angels, there are many different kinds, with different functions. The angels are sent as messengers to mankind.
I hope you have enjoyed this inroduction to the choir of angels. It has been fascinting and fun research for me. And please join me during this Thanksgiving week in thanking God and our angels for the many blessings they bestow upon us.
Blessings and Joy! Alane
