Archangels and Fallen Angels
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
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.
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 Deadly Sins – By Hope1224
To counter attack the seven princes of Hell the seven archangels are said to have each been allotted one of the seven heavenly virtues.
The Seven Heavenly Virtues
I’m not aware that the church and certainly not the Greek Orthodox Church, recognizes the allotting of sins and virtues to these two diverse groups but it’s a fascinating idea and as Roald Dahl wrote, in his last children’s story, “The Minipins”;
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
The seven princes of Hell: The Fallen Angels and Their Alloted Deadly Sins
Lucifer
Gustave Doré, illustration to Paradise Lost, book IX, 179–187.
Lucifer, in Latin, bearer of light, is the name of various figures in folklore connected to the planet Venus (Aphrodite).
Originally, in Roman mythology he 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 as a proper name, Lucifer.
Lucifer was allotted the sin of pride.
Mammon
1909 painting The Worship of Mammon by Evelyn De Morgan.
Mammon, taken from the Hebrew word meaning money (ממון); material wealth or any entity that promises wealth and greedy pursuit of gain.
Mammon is portrayed as a beggar; he was allotted the sin of Greed.
Asmodeus
The figure of Asmodeus in Rennes-le-Château, a commune in Southern France
In Christianity Asmodeus is the personification of lustand 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.
Leviathan
Hellmouth in the fresco Last Judgment, by Giacomo Rossignolo, c. 1555.
Leviathan, a demon of envy, also used as an image of Satan, in Judaism is a creature in the form of a sea serpent.
Leviathan may originally have been referred to as the Hellmouth (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.
Beelzebub
Beelzebub (Hebrew: בעל זבוב, Baʿal Zəvûv Arabic: بعل الذباب, Ba’al az-Zubab;, literally “Lord of the Flies”
Beelzebub is a name derived from a Philistine god formerly worshipped in Ekron and later adopted by some Abrahamic religions as a demon.
The name Beelzebub is associated with the Canaanite god Baal.
In Christianity Beelzebub is another name for Satan.
Beelzebub is usuallyy portrayed as a monstrous fly; in fact he is lord of the fliesand was allotted the sin of gluttony.
Satan (Interchangeable with Lucifer)
Fallen Angel. Alexandre Cabanel in 1847. Lucifer being driven out of heaven
Little is known of Satan, maybe because he and Lucifer are one; the same fallen angel, he was allotted the sin of wrath.
Belphegor
Depiction of the demon Belphégor, a demon of discovery and of ingenious inventions 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; he is allotted the sin of sloth.
God may have thrown these little devils out of Heaven but he still had his eye on them and wasn’t about to let them have the upper hand and so ordered his ranks of angels to help keep peace on Earth by continuing with the battle between good and evil.
Guardian Angels
Bernhard Plockhorst depicts a guardian angel watching over two children.
Orthodox Greeks believe that to keep them safe from harm and on the straight and narrow you receive a guardian angel when you are baptized.
The word angel, in Greek means messenger and archangel is derived from the Greek – ἀρχάγγελος – arch+ angel, literally chief angel.
The eldest and the first archangel is Michael.
The feast Day of angels, specifically Michael and Gabriel, (Taxiarchai), in The Greek Orthodox Church is the eighth of November, (Also the celebration day of The Greek Air force, the wing connection?).
Saint Michael is the Patron Saint of the Aegean and the Dodecanese Islands.
The Seven Archangels
the seven archangels, are said to have each been allotted one of the seven heavenly virtues.
The seven archangels are 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.
In the late 5th to 6th century, Pseudo Dionysius, (Christian theologian and philosopher), gives the seven archangels names:
Michael
Gabriel
Raphael
Uriel
Camael
Jophiel
Zadkiel
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.
The three hierarchies and nine orders of angels:
each with different characteristics.
The Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini at the National Gallery London, shows three hierarchies and nine orders of angels, each with different characteristics.
All angels, known as bodiless powers of Heaven are divided into nine orders, known as Angelic choirs.
First Hierarchy
Seraphim – Closest to God
The angels known as seraphim actually have six wings
Cherubim – Full of wisdom and understanding
Cherubim have four faces: one of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle
A composition of the Four Living Creatures into one tetramorph Fresco, Meteora, Greece.
Thrones
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.
Detail from a 16th century fresco, Mount Athos, Greece, featuring two angelic Thrones, the third-highest of the nine ranks of angels, who carry the throne of God, associated with the wheels seen by the Prophet Daniel.
Second Hierarchy
Powers – Power over the devil
Dominions – Dominate the rest of the angels
Principalities – Direct power over angels
Third Hierarchy:
Virtues – Work miracles
Archangels – Bearers of good news
Angels – These are the lowest angels in rank, but, those closest to man.
The seven archangels and their allotted heavenly virtues
As I mentioned above, the seven princes of darkness were said to have each been allotted one of the seven deadly sins, likewise, 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.
Michael
Archangel Michael Overthrows the Rebel Angel
circa 1660-1665 Luca Giordano
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)
Gabriel
Archangel Gabriel. El Greco
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)
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)
Uriel
Mosaic of St. Uriel by James Powell and Sons, at St John’s Church, Warminster.
Uriel is the light of God, he is allotted the heavenly virtue, chastity. (To combat lust)
Selaphiel
Archangel Selaphiel Carrying a Thurible by Bartolomé Román, 17th century.
The patron 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)
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)
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 battle between good and evil continues
And so the battle between good and evil continues, angels, God’s messengers, intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, guarding 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
