Hierarchy of angels
Angels of course have an important place in the Christian religion and the bible is replete with references to celestial beings who provide enlightenment and spiritual guidance. Based on passages in the New Testament and the fifth century writings of Dionysius the Areopagite, theologians in the Middle Ages attempted to classify different levels of angels, dividing them into nine categories known as ‘angelic choirs’. The hierarchy is as follows:
First level
This is the highest level of angels and therefore the closest to God. These enlightened celestial beings have the deepest understanding of divinity and manifest to humans as a beam of pure, shining light, too holy to be looked upon.
Seraphim – protectors of God’s divinity, spreading His word through praise and song and surrounding His throne
Cherubim – guardians of light and stars and providers of divine love and wisdom
Ophanim – portals of God’s intellect and full of divine knowledge, these angels are also known as ‘thrones’
Second level
Angels in the second level of the hierarchy function as celestial governors, presiding over existence on earth without manifesting their existence to humans.
Dominions – also known as hashmallim, these angels take orders from the first level in order to lead the lower ranks of angels and watch over earthly existence
Virtues – the source of spiritual power and often thought of as ‘miracle angels’, these celestial beings guide human spiritual growth
Powers – regulate the course of history on the earth to ensure that God’s good is carried out
Third level
These angels are spiritual messengers, acting as a link between humankind and the celestial world.
Principalities – guide countries and nation groups to keep the earth in balance
Archangels – provide guidance in matters of great human importance
Angels – these are the angels with whom we are most familiar, as they are concerned with all matters in our personal lives and guide everyone on earth, whether we know it or not
