The Choirs of Angels
After our celebration of the Solemnity of the Holy Guardian Angels last Sunday, I was asked some questions about the Choirs of Angels.
An angel is a pure, created spirit. They have no body, and their existence does not depend on matter. They differ in nature and grace. According to Sacred Tradition there are three major categories in descending order.
The existence of angels has been twice defined by the Church: at the Fourth Lateran Council and the First Vatican Council. Much of the Sacred Tradition of the Hierarchy of Angels is based on the writing of St Denis or Dionysius the Areopagite who wrote at the request of St Timothy in the early second century. In his Summa Theologian, St Thomas Aquinas also defines the three choirs of angels.
The hierarchy of angels helps us understand the qualities of God and how we can grow in holiness. We see a sense of order, progress, and ascent in our understanding God’s infinite knowledge and the order and beauty of creation.
These designations are not matters of dogma, but they help us to appreciate the ascending growth of holiness. God always assists us through the angels. The names themselves describe their mission in God’s plan.
HIGHEST CHOIR
1. SERAPHIM: The meaning of the Seraphim is "to consume with fire," indicating their intense love of the Holy Trinity.
2. CHERUBIM: According to Pope St. Gregory the Great the Cherubim have the "fullness of knowledge, because they may behold the glory of God more closely"
3. THRONES: Along with the Seraphim and Cherubim, the Thrones form the court of the Heavenly King.
INTERMEDIATE CHOIR
4. DOMINATIONS: The Dominations are concerned with the government of the universe. They coordinate the ministries of all the angels who deal with creation.
5. VIRTUES: God employs the Virtues for stupendous works or extraordinary miracles. They are the lords of cosmic order and ensure the well-being of the world.
6. POWERS: The Powers introduce man to the higher mysteries of God. They are called powers because they restrain the assaults of the evil spirit.
LOWEST CHOIR
7. PRINCIPALITIES: The Principalities with the archangels and angels form the heavenly multitude who are God's ordinary servants to the visible world. They are often the guardians of nations.
8. ARCHANGEL: A chief or ruling angel. Distinct from guardian angels, archangels are messengers of God to men in matters of greater significance. Raphael delivered Tobias' wife from demonic. Gabriel was the angel of the Annunciation. St. Michael is the leader of the heavenly host, who fought and won against the rebellious spirits.
9. ANGEL: The angels are most involved with mankind. These angels are sent out on missions from God and from whom the guardian angels are chosen. The angels who fill up this choir may be the lowest, but they are beloved because the Lord places them at our sides to watch over us and to care for us. They defend us against harm and temptation, warn us of evil and inspire us to remain faithful to God in prayer.
God bless you all,
Deacon Michael Braun