Archangel

The Archangels are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service (as St. Dionysius the Areopagite says) consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order, i.e., the angels, and through them, to men. St. Gregory the Dialogist says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.

As it is shown to us in the Book of the Holy Prophet Ezekiel throughout (also compare with Revelation), the first four Archangels (Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel) are the ones that stand in the four corners of the Great Throne of God. Together with them stand the four many-eyed Cherubim and the four many-eyed Wheels (Ophannim) or Storm-Winds (Galgallim), which we, Christians, (according to the example of the Great Apostle Paul and that of his illustrious disciple, St. Dionysius the Areopagite) call Thrones.

Michael

("Who is like unto God?" Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude v. 9; Rev. 12:7-8) See Archangel Michael.

Gabriel

("The Powerful or Strong Man of God", "The Power or Strength of God" Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19-26) See Archangel Gabriel.

Raphael

("The Healing of God" Tobit 3:17; 12:15) Another name for this Archangel is : Israfel.

Uriel

("The Light or Fire of God" A.V. II Esdras 4:1)

Selaphiel

("The Command, Communicant or Prayer of God") Other names for this Archangel are : Salathiel, Selathiel, Seraphiel, Sarakiel, Saraqael, Zerachiel.

Jehudiel

("The Glory, Laudation or Praise of God") Other names for this Archangel are : Jegudiel, Gudiel.

Barachiel

("The Blessings of God") Another name for this Archangel is : Varachiel.

Jeremiel

("The Compassion, Exaltation or Mercy of God" R.V. II Esdras 4:36) Other names for this Archangel are : Jeramiel, Jerahmiel, Jerehmiel, Ramiel, Remiel.

Lucifer / Satan

("The Light-Bearer" or "The Morning-Star" Isaiah 14:12; "The Enemy" Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:9) Other names for this fallen Archangel (or his companions) are : Azazel, Azrael, Izrael, Izreel, Camael, Chamuel, Samael, Shemuel, Simiel, Samiaza, Satanael, Uzziel.

See also

• Angels

Sources

The Holy Angels