Archangel

Archangel [Greek archos: ruler + angelos: messenger] The Catholic tradition outlines three archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

In a Catholic exorcism prayer St. Michael and other spiritual powers are appealed to in order to expell the devil from an afflicted person.

The Catholic catechism does not place too much emphasis on angels, while affirming that they are servants of both God and man.

Essentially glorifying God, archangels are said to be spiritual powers whose perfection surpasses human beings.

In the Celestial Hierarchies Pseudo Dionysus arranged angels into three hierarchies, each consisting of three thrones. Closest to God are the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The next level contains the Dominations, Virtues and Powers. The third and furthest level from God is filled with Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

The highest-level angels are apparently rapt in God’s glory, continually singing His praises, while the lower two levels interact with mankind.

This schema was accepted by the medieval scholastic St. Thomas Aquinas, much of whose work became important for the formation of Catholic dogma.

It is interesting to note that the archangel is not at the height of the Catholic heavenly hierarchy, as many perhaps would mistakenly assume.

Image Source:

• “Archangel Michael In Jerusalem” by netzkobold, http://www.flickr.com/photos/netzkobold/299665030, Creative Commons License

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