Archangels and Fallen Angels
Archangels and Fallen Angels
In Heaven as on Earth things didn’t inevitably run smoothly.
There’s invariably that one entity who considers himself superior to others, so it was with Lucifer.
Lucifer was originally created by God as the perfect being, wise and righteous, so “why”, thought Lucifer, puffed up with pride, “should I not be God?”
(Lucifer, Satan and the Devil, are sometimes depicted as one and the same.)
Gathering the other angels around him, Lucifer managed to persuade a third of them, to join him in battle against God, for the great throne of Heaven.
Lucifer lost the war.
God remained in power and banished Lucifer and his followers from Heaven, causing them to fall to Earth, where they became the fallen angels, the seven princes of Hell.
The Fallen Angels
The seven Prices of Hell and Their Allotted Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins – By Hope1224.
Each fallen angel, now a prince of Hell, is said to have been allotted one of the seven deadly sins and they now roam Earth doing their best to lead people astray.
The Seven Princes of Hell
The Fallen Angels and Their Allotted Deadly Sins
1. Lucifer
“Lucifer Meets the Serpent” by Gustave Doré (1866) Illustration for Paradise Lost by John Milton
Lucifer, in Latin, bearer of light, is the name of various figures in folklore connected to the planet Venus (Aphrodite).
Originally, in Roman mythology, Lucifer was the son of the goddess Aurora (Dawn).
In Christian folklore Lucifer is the name of the devil.
In the Bible (Isaiah 14:12) in ancient Greek, he is called “morning star” or “shining one” rather than his more usual name of Lucifer.
Lucifer was allotted the sin of Pride.
2. Mammon
Mammon – George Frederick Watts – 1884-85 – Tate – London
Mammon is taken from the Hebrew word ממון, meaning money, material wealth or any entity that promises wealth acquired by the greedy pursuit of gain.
Mammon is portrayed as a beggar and was allotted the sin of Greed.
3. Asmodeus
Asmodaeus – A king of demons – J.A.S. Collin de Plancy – Dictionnaire Infernal – 1863
Asmodeus, also known as Ashmedai, is a prominent demon in Jewish legend, often depicted as the king of demons.
In Christianity Asmodeus is the personification of lust and is known as the “Prince of Lechery” .
Asmodeus is usually portrayed as a prostitute, male or female, who walks with a limp, not having human legs but claws, or the legs of a rooster.
Asmodeus was allotted the sin of Lust.
4. Leviathan
Destruction of Leviathan – Gustave Doré – 1865
Leviathan, a demon of envy, in Judaism also used as an image of Satan, is a creature in the form of a sea serpent.
Leviathan may originally have been referred to as the Hell-mouth (the gateway to Hell) a monstrous animal into whose mouth the damned disappear at the Last Judgment.
The word later came to be used as a term for great whale and for sea monsters in general.
Leviathan was allotted the sin of Envy.
5. Beelzebub
Beelzebub – From J.A.S. Collin de Plancy – Dictionnaire Infernal – Paris – 1863
Beelzebub, Belzebuth, or Belzebub, according to the scriptures, is the prince of demons.
The name, Beelzebub, is associated with the Canaanite god Baal, formerly worshiped in Ekron, (one of the five major Philistine cities in ancient Canaan, identified today as Tel Miqne in central Israel), and was later adopted by some Abrahamic religions as a demon.
In Christianity Beelzebub is another name for Satan.
Beelzebub is usually portrayed as a monstrous fly, in fact he is lord of the flies, and was allotted the sin of Gluttony.
6. Satan (Interchangeable with Lucifer)
Detail of Satan from Hans Memling’s Triptych of Earthly Vanity and Divine Salvation (c. 1485) – The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg – France
Little is known of Satan, maybe because he and Lucifer are often considered as one and the same fallen angel.
Satan was allotted the sin of Wrath.
7. Belphegor
The demon Belphégor who often takes the form of a young woman – From J.A.S. Collin de Plancy – Dictionnaire Infernal – Paris – E. Plon – 1863
Belphegor is portrayed as either a beautiful woman or as a troll who tempts people with laziness.
Belphegor is allotted the sin of Sloth.
The Seven Heavenly Virtues
The Seven Heavenly Virtues.
God may have thrown the fallen angels out of Heaven but he still had his eye on them and wasn’t about to let them have the upper hand.
To help keep peace on Earth, God ordered his seven Archangels to continue with the battle between good and evil.
To counter attack the seven princes of Hell and their seven deadly sins, the seven archangels are said to have each been allotted one of the seven heavenly virtues, the antidote, so to speak, of the seven deadly sins.
The Seven Archangels and Their Allotted Heavenly Virtues
The Seven Archangels
The seven archangels, genderless spiritual beings, were the first angels to exist.
The earliest reference to a system of seven archangels as a group appears to be in Enoch I (the Book of Enoch).
They are highly regarded in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition worship seven archangels and sometimes an eighth.
The earliest Christian mention of their names is by Pope Saint Gregory I who lists them as;
Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel (or Anael), Simiel, Oriphiel and Raguel.
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel are the four most important archangels, it is believed that these four archangels, reside at the four corners of The Great Throne of God.
1. Archangel Michael
The Archangel Michael – Theodoros Poulakis (1620 – 1692) – The Benaki Museum – Athens – Greece
Michael is the most celebrated of angels, whose name means “God-like” or “Who is like God?”.
He first appears in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua.
Michael is chief archangel, “The Commander”, protector of the innocent, said to answer more prayers than any other Saint.
Archangel Michael is Patron Saint of The Catholic Church, Guardian of Vatican City, protector of the Jewish people, police officers, military, grocers, mariners, paratroopers, and sickness, Germany, France, Brussels, Ukraine, Kiev, Philippines and Cebu.
He is often depicted treading on a dragon, carrying a banner, scales, and sword.
In Christian art Archangel Michael may be depicted alone or with other angels such as Gabriel.
He is allotted the heavenly virtue, charity. (To combat Greed)
2. Archangel Gabriel
Archangel Gabriel – Detail from the Annunciation by El Greco – 1570-1572 – The Museo del Prado – Madrid – Spain
Gabriel is the messenger of God who guides souls to the gates of Heaven and along the path to a good life.
He is especially known for announcing to The Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Christ.
The name Gabriel comes from the Hebrew meaning “Man of God”
Archangel Gabriel is Patron Saint of Telecommunication Workers, Radio Broadcasters, Messengers, Postal Workers, Clerics, Diplomats, Stamp Collectors, and ambassadors, Portugal, Santander and Cebu.
He is usually depicted clothed in blue or white garments carrying a lily, a trumpet, a shining lantern, a branch from Paradise, a scroll and a scepter.
He is allotted the heavenly virtue, diligence. (To combat sloth)
3. Archangel Raphael
Raphael the Archangel by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. 17th century
The role of Raphael is providing healing for the Earth and its people.
Raphael is Patron Saint of apothecaries, blind people, shepherds, sick people, travelers and young people.
He is also often depicted holding or standing on a fish, which alludes to his healing of Tobias with the fish’s gall.
His name comes from the Hebrew, meaning “It is God who has healed”
Raphael is the protector of weddings and conjugal love – he is allotted the heavenly virtue, humility. (To combat Pride)
4. Archangel Uriel
Mosaic of St. Uriel by James Powell and Sons, at St John’s Church, Warminster – England
Uriel is the light of God, he is allotted the heavenly virtue, chastity. (To combat lust)
5. Archangel Selaphiel
Archangel Selaphiel Carrying a Thurible by Bartolomé Román, 17th century.
Archangel Selaphiel is the patron Saint of prayer, depicted on icons with eyes gazing downward and hands crossed on his chest, with an air of humility and deep inner concentration.
Selaphiel is allotted the heavenly virtue, temperance. (To combat gluttony)
6. Archangel Jegudiel
Russian icon depicting Archangel Jehudiel
Jegudiel is the defender and helper of all those who toil, he is allotted the heavenly virtue of kindness (To combat envy)
7. Archangel Barachiel
Archangel Barachiel Scattering Flowers by Bartolomé Román, 17th century
Barachiel is the angel of God’s blessings; he is allotted the heavenly virtue of patience. (To combat wrath).
The Nine Orders of Angels
The Nine Orders of Angels
All angels, known as bodiless powers of Heaven, are divided into nine orders known as Angelic choirs.
The nine orders are divided into three hierarchies, with each hierarchy consisting of three types of angels, all with different characteristics.
First Hierarchy
1. Seraphim
Closest to God
The angels known as seraphim actually have six wings
Serafim are regarded in Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
They are associated with light, ardour, and purity.
2. Cherubim
Full of wisdom and understanding
Cherubim have four faces: one of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle
3. Thrones
Chariots of God
Thrones – Third highest rank of angels in heaven – Image – courtesy of RoseBelle
The Thrones’; also known as ophanim and galgallin, are creatures that function as the actual chariots of God driven by the cherubs, as the throne of God is usually shown to be moved by wheels, containing many eyes, as in the vision of Daniel 7:9 (Old Testament).
Eventually the iconographic distinction between Cherubim and Seraphim disappeared and a a combined version of both ranks became the norm.
These angels have four or six wings, some of which are covered with eyes; they often have human hands and feet, sometimes, iconographers included wheels at their feet.
Second Hierarchy
1. The Powers
Power over the devil
Warrior Angel – 1348-54 – Ridolfo di Arpo Guariento – Museo Civico, Padua, Italy
2. The Dominions
Dominate the rest of the angels
The Dominions – The mosaic ceiling of the Baptistery San Giovanni in Florence – Italy
3. The Principalities
Direct power over angels
The Heavenly Militia – Ridolfo di Arpo Guariento – c.1348-54 – Museo Civico – Padua – Italy
Third Hierarchy
1. The Virtues
Miracle Workers
Angelic Hierarchy – The virtues – 13th Century – Mosaic ceiling – Baptistery of Saint John – Florence – Italy
2. The Archangels
Bearers of good news
The Archangels
3. The Angels
The lowest angels in rank but those closest to man
Giotto di Bondone – Scenes from the Life of Christ – 4. Flight into Egypt (detail) – 1304-1306 – Scrovegni Chapel – Padua – Italy
The Battle Between Good and Evil Continues
Armies of angels fighting during the war on heaven – Vintage engraving by Gustave Dore, from Milton’s Paradise Lost
And so the battle between good and evil continues.
The angels, God’s messengers, intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, continue to guard all humans against the corrupt princes of Hell.
How long will the battle endure and who will prevail?
Well:
“Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die.”
Alfred Lord Tennyson
