The concept of Seven Archangels is found in some works of early Jewish literature and in Christianity . In those texts, they are referenced as the angels who serve God directly.
53-720: Camael , also spelled Chamuel , Khamuel , Camiel , Cameel and Camniel , is an archangel in Christian angelology . Camael was excluded from the Holy See 's list of named angels in the 2001 Directory on popular piety , which states: "The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel , Raphael , and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture ". Archangel Archangels ( / ˌ ɑːr k ˈ eɪ n dʒ əl s / ) are
106-499: A Jewish angelic hierarchy . The New Testament makes over a hundred references to angels , but uses the word "archangel" only twice, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ("For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first", KJV ) and Jude 1:9 ("Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with
159-427: A loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels ( Ancient Greek : ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ): Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth." Lastly, Revelation 4 and Revelation 5 ( Revelation 4:5 ) mention "seven Spirits" ( Ancient Greek : τα ἑπτά Πνεύματα , transliterated into "ta hepta Pneumata " – whose identity is not well specified – who are the "seven lamps of fire [that] were burning before
212-586: A particular significance and developed unique personalities and roles. Though these archangels were believed to have ranked amongst the heavenly host , no systematic hierarchy ever developed. Metatron is considered one of the highest of the angels in Merkavah and Kabbalist mysticism and often serves as a scribe. He is briefly mentioned in the Talmud, and figures prominently in Merkavah mystical texts. Michael, who serves as
265-660: A phrase recalled in Revelation 8:2–6 . Three Popes rejected to authorize veneration of the purported names of the Seven Archangels within the Roman Catholic Church: Pope Leo XII (1826–1828), Pope Pius VIII (1830) and Pope Gregory XVI (1831–1832). The Directory on popular piety and the Liturgy (2001) at n. 217 states that "the practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in
318-455: A prayer to "all you patriarchs Michael, Gabriel, Cecitiel, Uriel, Raphael, Ananiel , Marmoniel. In the Catholic Church , three archangels are mentioned by name in its Biblical canon : Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Raphael appears in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit , where he is described as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the lord of spirits",
371-405: A reference to "the voice of the archangel" at 1 Thessalonians 4:16, also believe that "Michael" is another name for Jesus in heaven. They believe Jesus is an archangel in the true sense of the word—the supreme leader of angels. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) interprets the term "archangel" as meaning "Chief Angel", Michael is the only individual so designated in
424-485: A variety of other archangels who share similar associations spanning throughout this tradition. Chapter 20 of the Book of Enoch mentions seven holy angels who watch, that often are considered the seven archangels: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel , Sariel , Raguel , and Remiel . The Life of Adam and Eve lists the archangels as well: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and Joel . Medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides made
477-662: A warrior and advocate for Israel, is looked upon particularly fondly. Gabriel is mentioned in the Book of Daniel and briefly in the Talmud, as well as many Merkavah mystical texts. The earliest references to archangels are in the literature of the intertestamental periods (e.g., 4 Esdras 4:36). In the Kabbalah there are traditionally twelve archangels, who are each assigned to a certain sephira : Shubael , Raziel , Cassiel , Zadkiel , Camael , Michael , Uriel & Haniel , Raphael & Jophiel , Gabriel , and Azrael . There are also
530-658: Is also recognized as a chief angel in the Catholic , Lutheran , Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches. Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and Lutheran Churches with a feast on September 29 (between 1921 and 1969, March 24 for Gabriel and October 24 for Raphael), and in the Eastern Orthodox Church on November 8 (if the Julian calendar is used, this corresponds to November 21 in
583-525: Is easy to recognize, in armour with a weapon (sword or spear), often standing on a winged man or a dragon representing Satan, and he may carry a pair of scales to represent his role in the Last Judgement . Gabriel carries a stem of lilies, traditionally part of the iconography of the Annunciation , his most significant work as the messenger of God. The iconography of Archangel Raphael derives from
SECTION 10
#1733115949146636-563: Is therefore widely speculated that Jewish interest in angels developed during the Babylonian captivity . According to Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish of Tiberias (230–270 A.D.), specific names for the angels were brought back by the Jews from Babylon . There are no explicit references to archangels in the canonical texts of the Hebrew Bible . In post-Biblical Judaism , certain angels came to take on
689-511: Is used of Michael , who in Daniel 10 ( Daniel 10:12 ) is called 'one of the chief princes,' and 'the great prince '. In the Septuagint , this is rendered "the great angel." The idea of seven archangels is most explicitly stated in the deuterocanonical / apocryphal Book of Tobit when Raphael reveals himself, declaring: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of
742-683: The Apocrypha section of the Catholic Bible, and it omits Uriel ( 2 Esdras 4:1 and 2 Esdras 5:20) and Jerahmeel (2 Esdras 4:36), which are contained in 2 Esdras , neither are included in the Protestant Bible. Among Protestant communities, the Anglican traditions recognize three to five angels as archangels: Michael the Archangel and Gabriel the Archangel , as well as Raphael the Archangel , Uriel
795-745: The Book of Enoch ) or Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel (in other such sources). In 1851 Pope Pius IX approved the Chaplet of Saint Michael , based on the 1751 apparition of the Archangel Michael experienced by the Carmelite nun Antonia d'Astonac, which includes prayers with specific invocations to the Archangels and each of the nine Choirs of Angels. Of the three major archangels in the Catholic hierarchy of angels, all normally with large wings, Archangel Michael
848-558: The Eastern Catholic Churches name seven. Lutheranism and Anglicanism 's traditions generally recognize four known archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and sometimes Uriel. Non denominational Protestant churches often venerate only Gabriel and Michael. In parts of Oriental Orthodox Christianity and Eastern Orthodox Christianity , Eight Archangels may be honoured, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, as well as Salathiel , Jegudiel , Barachiel , and Jeremiel (in
901-521: The Heavenly Host , is referred to as ʾaḥaḏ haśśārīm hārišōnīm ( אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים 'one of the chief princes') in the former, and haśśar haggāḏōl ( הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל 'the great prince') in the latter. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and Islam, and by most Christians . Raphael —mentioned in the deuterocanonical / apocryphal Book of Tobit —
954-740: The Julian Calendar , November 8 falls on November 21 of the modern Gregorian Calendar ). Other feast days of the Archangels include the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel on March 26 (April 8) and July 13 (July 26), and the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossae on September 6 (September 19). In addition, every Monday throughout the year is dedicated to the Angels, with special mention being made in
1007-514: The Latter Day Saints canon . It is believed that he is the head of all of the angels. LDS Church doctrine also states that the archangel Michael was the first man, Adam . Though no other being is identified as an "archangel", Joseph Smith taught that the angel Gabriel was known in mortality as Noah and the angel Raphael is a being of significant standing, even though he has never been identified with any mortal prophet. In Islam ,
1060-672: The Lutheran and Anglican traditions there are three archangels celebrated in September 29, the feast of St Michael and All Angels (also called Michaelmas ), namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Uriel is not officially recognized or named in Anglican doctrine, though some still include him; one Episcopal church, St. Uriel’s Episcopal Church , bears his name. Other names derived from pseudepigrapha are Selaphiel , Jegudiel , and Raguel . In Ismailism , there are seven cherubim, comparable to
1113-645: The Old Testament , and does not mention a hierarchy of angels in any detail. The word is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions . Similar beings exist in several other religions. Archangel is derived from Greek archángelos ( ἀρχάγγελος ), with the Greek prefix arch - meaning 'chief'. A common misconception is that archangels constitute the highest rank of angel in Christianity ; this likely stems from
SECTION 20
#17331159491461166-839: The throne ". One such tradition of archangels comes from the Old Testament biblical apocrypha , the third century BCE Book of the Watchers , known as 1 Enoch or the Book of Enoch, eventually merged into the Enochic Pentateuch. This narrative is affiliated with the Book of Giants , which also references the great archangels and was made part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church 's scriptural canon . Although prevalent in Jewish and early Christian apostolic traditions and
1219-535: The Apocrypha section of the Protestant Bible used by Lutherans and Anglicans. The names of other archangels come from tradition. Zechariah 4,10 tells about "seven rejoices" that are "the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and from throughout the whole earth." Revelation 8 ( Revelation 8:2 ) mentions seven angels ( Ancient Greek : ἀγγέλους ) who "stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." Similarly, Revelation 16 ( Revelation 16:1 ) indicates: "and I heard
1272-597: The Archangel and Jerahmeel the Archangel . Lutherans only recognise Michael, Gabriel, and sometimes Raphael (not Uriel or Jerahmeel, because Esdras books are not included in the Lutheran apocrypha). Statuary of these angels can be found in Lutheran churches, and a depiction of seven archangels in stained-glass windows can be found in some Anglican churches. In this case, in addition to the aforementioned angels, Chamuel , Jophiel and Zadkiel are variously depicted. They are commemorated on 29 September, “ Michaelmas ”, in
1325-487: The Catholic Church recognizes seven archangels altogether, sometimes named, sometimes unnamed other than the three mentioned above. Lists of characters referred to as "angels" also exist in smaller religious traditions usually regarded as occultist or superstitious . A reference to seven archangels appeared in an 8th- or 9th-century talisman attributed to Auriolus, a "servant of God" in north-western Spain. He issues
1378-712: The Coptic tradition, the latter four are named as Surael , Sakakael , Sarathael , and Ananael ). The Eight Archangels are commemorated on the Feast of the Archangels . The term archangel itself is not found in the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament , and in the Greek New Testament the term archangel only occurs in 1 Thessalonians 4 ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ) and the Epistle of Jude ( Jude 1:9 ), where it
1431-522: The Glory of the Lord." The Fourth Book of Esdras , which mentions the angel Uriel (and also the "archangel" Jeremiel ), was popular in the West and was frequently quoted by Church Fathers, especially Ambrose , but was never considered part of the Catholic biblical canon . The Catholic Church gives no official recognition to the names given in some apocryphal sources, such as Raguel , Saraqael and Remiel (in
1484-509: The Gregorian). The named archangels in Islam are Jibra'il , Mika'il , Israfil , and 'Azra'il . Jewish literature, such as the Book of Enoch , also mentions Metatron as an archangel, called the "highest of the angels", though the acceptance of this angel is not canonical in all branches of the faith. Some branches of the faiths mentioned have identified a group of seven to eight archangels , but
1537-722: The Lord of Spirits, "the voices of those upon the four sides magnifying the Lord of Glory": Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Phanuel . The Book of the Watchers (Ch IX) lists the angels who in antediluvian times interceded on behalf of mankind against the rogue spirits termed "the Watchers ": Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel . The earliest specific Christian references are in the late 5th to early 6th century: Pseudo-Dionysius gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Camael , Jophiel , and Zadkiel . In Western Christian traditions, Michael , Gabriel and Raphael are referred to as archangels. Through its Byzantine tradition, however,
1590-574: The Lord, ready to serve him." ( Tobit 12,15 ) The other two angels mentioned by name in the Bibles used by Catholics and Protestants are the archangel Michael and the angel Gabriel ; Uriel is named in 2 Esdras (4:1 and 5:20) and Jerahmeel is named in 2 Esdras 4:36, a book that is regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches, and falls within
1643-429: The Seven Archangels ordered to bow down before Qadar , of whom Iblis refuses. In Yazidism , there are seven archangels, named Jabra'il , Mika'il , Rafa'il ( Israfil ), Dadra'il, Azrail , Shamkil (Shemna'il), and Azazil , who are emanations from God entrusted with care of the creation. Various occult systems associate each archangel with one of the traditional "seven luminaries" ( classical planets visible to
Camael - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-503: The angels who watch over "the spirits that sin in the spirit" (Enoch 20:7–8). The Protestant Bible provides names for two angels, "Michael the archangel" (Jude 1:9), the angel Gabriel, who is called "the man Gabriel" in Daniel 9:21, which are considered part of the standard New Testament canon and Old Testament canon respectively. It omits Raphael , who is mentioned in Tobit 12:15, which falls in
1749-726: The case of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture." Some Eastern Orthodox Churches , exemplified in the Orthodox Slavonic Bible ( Ostrog Bible , Elizabeth Bible , and later consequently Russian Synodal Bible ), recognize as authoritative also 2 Esdras , which mentions Uriel and Jerahmeel . The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, and
1802-518: The church hymns of Michael and Gabriel. In Orthodox iconography , each angel has a symbolic representation: In addition to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Coptic Orthodox Church recognises four more archangels by name: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church venerates the four archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel, as well as: In the canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church , 1 Enoch describes Saraqael as one of
1855-758: The church kalendar of the Lutheran and Anglican churches (cf. Calendar of saints (Lutheran) and Calendar of saints (Anglican) ). In the view of the Baptist evangelist Billy Graham , Sacred Scripture explicitly described one being as an archangel—Michael—in Jude 1:9. Seventh-day Adventists hold that the titles "Michael" and "archangel" are references to Jesus. In the Adventist view, they only signify his role as chief of angels and make no reference to his divine nature. Adventists credit nonconformist minister Matthew Henry as supporting this view. Jehovah's Witnesses , citing
1908-605: The consort of Zoe (the primordial Eve ), who gives him knowledge of the eighth heaven, while the seven archangels stand before them. In the Sophia of Jesus Christ and Eugnostos the Blessed , the primordial Adam creates myriads of gods and archangels without number. Occultists sometimes associate archangels in Kabbalistic fashion with various seasons or elements, or even colours. In some Kabbalah-based systems of ceremonial magic ,
1961-464: The devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee", KJV). In Catholicism, three are mentioned by name: These three are commemorated together liturgically on September 29 . Each formerly had his own feast. The latter of these identifies himself in Tobit 12:15 thus: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before
2014-453: The earliest distillation of prehistoric belief in angels. The Amesha Spentas ( Avestan : Aməša Spəṇta, meaning "beneficent immortals") of Zoroastrianism are likened to archangels. They individually inhabit immortal bodies that operate in the physical world to protect, guide, and inspire humanity and the spirit world. The Avesta explains the origin and nature of archangels or Amesha Spentas. To maintain equilibrium, Ahura Mazda engaged in
2067-550: The early Church Fathers , the Book of Enoch gradually fell from academic and religious status, and by the seventh century was rejected from the canonical scriptures of all other Christian denominations. The names of the archangels entered Jewish tradition during the Babylonian captivity (605 BCE). Babylonian folklore and cosmology, and early Mesopotamian beliefs under the dualistic influence of Zoroastrianism , centered around anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations of stars, planets , and constellations , including
2120-600: The eighth, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel) (The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Feast Day: November 8). As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the Book of Enoch , regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church , mentions (in chapter 20) Raguel, Saraqâêl, and Remiel ; however, apocryphal sources give instead
2173-575: The etymology of their name, as well as their presentation in John Milton 's Paradise Lost . In Judaism , the highest ranking angels such as Michael , Raphael , Gabriel and Uriel , who are usually referred to as archangels in English , are given the title of śārīm ( Hebrew : שָׂרִים ' princes '; sing. שָׂר śār ), to show their superior rank and status. Two examples of this can be seen in Daniel 10:13 and 12:1, where Michael, Chief of
Camael - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-652: The first act of creation, distinguishing his Holy Spirit Spenta Mainyu, the Archangel of righteousness. Ahura Mazda also distinguished from himself six more Amesha Spentas, who, along with Spenta Mainyu, aided in the creation of the physical universe. Then he oversaw the development of sixteen lands, each imbued with a unique cultural catalyst calculated to encourage the formation of distinct human populations. The Amesha Spentas were charged with protecting these holy lands and through their emanation, also believed to align each respective population in service to God. The Amesha Spentas as attributes of God are: The Hebrew Bible uses
2279-637: The four sons of the Sky Father carrying the Winged Sun , the throne of Wisdom . First the prophet Daniel , then authors such as Ezekiel hebraized this mythology, equating the Babylonian constellations with abstract forms held to be "sons of the gods", angels of the Lord of Israel, and heavenly animal cherubim . The 2 BC Book of Parables (Ch XL) names the four angels accompanying the Ancient of Days , standing before
2332-566: The main four (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel) are invoked to guard the four quarters (directions) and their corresponding colours are associated with magical properties. In the lesser ritual of the pentagram , the invocation includes: "Before me Raphael; Behind me Gabriel; On my right hand Michael; On my left hand Uriel." Seven Archangels The Catholic Church venerates seven archangels: in Latin Christianity , three are invoked by name ( Michael , Gabriel , and Raphael ) while
2385-405: The mentioned archangels ( Karubiyin ) in the Islamic exegetical traditions are: In the Gnostic codex On the Origin of the World , the aeon named Sophia sends seven archangels from her light to save the Archon Sabaoth, the son of Yaldabaoth , after the authorities of Chaos make war in the Seven Heavens . He is then placed in a divine kingdom above the twelve gods of Chaos and becomes
2438-403: The naked eye): the Sun , the Moon , Mercury , Venus , Mars , Jupiter , and Saturn ; but there is disagreement as to which archangel corresponds to which body. According to Rudolf Steiner , four archangels govern the seasons: spring is Raphael, summer is Uriel, autumn is Michael, and winter is Gabriel. According to occultist Helena Petrovna Blavatsky , the Seven Archangels were
2491-562: The named angels vary, depending on the source. Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael are always mentioned; the other archangels vary, but most commonly include Uriel and Jerahmeel , both of whom are mentioned in 2 Esdras . As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the Book of Enoch , regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (Oriental Orthodox), mentions in chapter 20: Raguel , Sariel , and Jerahmeel (Remiel) . An increasing number of experts in anthropology, theology and philosophy believe that Zoroastrianism contains
2544-427: The names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel. Within the Oriental Orthodox Christian denominations, the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition names seven Archangels as Michael , Gabriel , Raphael , Uriel , Raguel , Phanuel , and Remiel; in the Coptic Orthodox tradition the seven to eight archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel , Zadkiel , Sarathiel , and Ananiel , as well as often Sakakael . In
2597-404: The same as mentioned in Catholicism; namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Uriel is included. The other three or four are most often named Selaphiel , Jegudiel , Barachiel and (sometimes) Jeremiel . The Orthodox Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers on November 8 of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar (for those churches which follow
2650-408: The second-lowest rank of angel in the Christian hierarchy of angels , put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia ( On the Celestial Hierarchy ). However, they are the highest rank to interact directly with humans, seraphim and the like remaining close to God. The Bible itself uses the term only two times, with no mention in
2703-430: The story from the Book of Tobit of Tobias and the Angel . Especially in the Renaissance, Tobias, his dog and the fish he carries may all appear, otherwise Raphael holds a walker's staff, may wear sandals, and may carry a small container (for the healing organs from the giant fish Tobias caught). Eastern Orthodox Tradition mentions "thousands of archangels". Only Seven Archangels are venerated by name. Three are
SECTION 50
#17331159491462756-478: The term מלאכי אלהים ( malakhey Elohim ; Angels of God), The Hebrew word for angel is "malakh", which means messenger, for the angels מלאכי יי ( malakhey Adonai ; Angels of the Lord) are God's messengers to perform various missions - e.g. 'angel of death'; בני אלהים ( b'nei elohim ; sons of God) and הקדושים ( ha-q'doshim ; the holy ones) to refer to beings traditionally interpreted as angelic messengers . Other terms are used in later texts, such as העליונים (ha-elyonim,
2809-454: The upper ones , or the supreme ones ). References to angels are uncommon in Jewish literature except in later works such as the Book of Daniel , though they are mentioned briefly in the stories of Jacob (who according to one interpretation wrestled with an angel) and Lot (who was warned by angels of the impending destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah ). Daniel is the first biblical figure to refer to individual angels by name. It
#145854