Editing Angels in Christianity (section)

==Catholic angel hierarchy==
===First Order===
==== Seraphim ====
{{Main|Seraph}}
Tradition places seraphim in a rank in Christian angelology, based on [[Isaiah]]'s use of the word. Seraphim angels are the closest to God and lead worship in heaven by singing endless praises to him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seraphim Angels: Burning With Passion for God |url=https://www.learnreligions.com/seraphim-angels-with-passion-for-god-124025 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Learn Religions |language=en}}</ref>

==== Cherubim ====
{{Main|Cherub}}
[[File:Tetramorph meteora.jpg|upright=1|thumb|right|A cherub, as described by Ezekiel and according to traditional Christian [[iconography]]]]
In the [[Book of Ezekiel]], and in some Christian icons, the [[cherub]] is depicted as having two pairs of wings, and four faces: that of a [[lion]] (representative of all [[wild animals]]), an [[ox]] ([[domestic animals]]), a [[human]] (humanity), and an [[eagle]] ([[bird]]s).{{sfn|Wood|2008|pp=2–4}} Their legs were straight, the soles of their feet like the hooves of a bull, gleaming like polished brass. Later tradition ascribes to them a variety of physical appearances.{{sfn|Wood|2008|pp=2–4}} In Western Christian tradition, cherubim have become associated with the [[putto]] (derived from classical [[Cupid]]/[[Eros]]), resulting in depictions of cherubim as small, plump, winged boys.{{sfn|Wood|2008|p=1}}

==== Thrones or Ophanim ====
{{Main|Throne (angel)|Ophanim}}

The ''ophanim'' refer to the wheels seen in [[Ezekiel]]'s vision of the chariot (Hebrew {{lang|he-Latn|[[merkabah]]}}) in {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|1:15-21|NIV}}. One of the [[Dead Sea scrolls]] (4Q405) construes them as angels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=intertextual.bible {{!}} Biblical Intertextuality {{!}} 4Q405 {{!}} 2 Enoch 20:3 |url=https://intertextual.bible/text/4q405-2-enoch-20.3 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=intertextual.bible}}</ref>[[File:West window, St Michael and All Angels' Church, Somerton.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|West window of the [[Church of St Michael and All Angels, Somerton]]. It depicts [[Christ the King]] in the centre with nine angelic figures, each of them represents, higher row: [[Dominions (angel)|Dominions]], [[Cherub]]im, [[Seraph]]im, and [[Angel]]s; lower row: [[Principalities (angel)|Principalities]], [[Throne (angel)|Thrones]], [[Archangel]]s, [[Virtues (angel)|Virtues]], and [[Powers (angel)|Powers]].]]

===Second Order===
==== Dominions or Lordships ====
{{main|Dominion (angel)}}

The Dominions (lat. ''dominatio'', plural ''dominationes'', also translated from the Greek term ''kyriotētes'', [[plural|pl.]] of ''kyriotēs'', as "Lordships")<ref>{{cite book |last1=Guiley |first1=Rosemary |title=Encyclopedia of Angels |date=1996 |publisher=Facts on File, Incorporated |location=New York, New York}}</ref> are traditionally held to govern the movement of stars, planets, and other celestial objects.<ref name="Kasten">{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112063851/https://www.thecompassnews.org/2013/12/angels-charge-nature/ |archive-date=2023-11-12 |last=Kasten |first=Patricia |date=2013-12-09 |title=The angels in charge of nature |url=https://www.thecompassnews.org/2013/12/angels-charge-nature/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=The Compass |publisher=Diocese of Green Bay |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Virtues ====
According to ''The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville'', the Virtues are known for their control of the elements. In addition to being the spirits of motion, they also assist in governing elements of nature, such as storms.<ref name=Kasten/> They also assist with miracles, as well as encourage humans to strengthen their faith in God.<ref name="Isidore of Seville: Etymologies">{{Cite book |last=Isidore |first=Bishop of Seville |url=https://pot-pourri.fltr.ucl.ac.be/files/AClassftp/TEXTES/ISIDORUS/Etymologie/B1N8PWGetQy.pdf |title=The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville |date=July 2006 |publisher=Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521837491 |location=New York |pages=161 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508231044/https://pot-pourri.fltr.ucl.ac.be/files/AClassftp/TEXTES/ISIDORUS/Etymologie/B1N8PWGetQy.pdf |archive-date=2024-05-08 |translator-last=Lewis |translator-first=W. J. |translator-last2=Beach |translator-first2=J. A. |translator-last3=Berghof |translator-first3=Oliver |translator-last4=Barney |translator-first4=Stephen}}</ref>

==== Powers or Authorities ====
In ''The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville'', the Powers ([[Latin|lat]]. ''potestas'' (f), pl. ''potestates'') (Greek: ἐξουσίαι) are given their name because they are angels who have power over evil forces, which the angels are able to restrain to keep them from doing harm.<ref name="Isidore of Seville: Etymologies"/> Powers also oversee the power which human beings—such as kings—have been given in the world.<ref name=Kasten/>

===Third Order===
==== Principalities or Rulers ====
According to ''The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville'', the Principalities ({{langx|la|principatus}}), also translated as "Princedoms" and "Rulers", from the Greek ''archai'', [[plural|pl.]] of ''archē'' (see Greek root in [https://www.bible.com/bible/114/EPH.3.10.nkjv Eph 3:10]), are the angels that guide and protect nations, or groups of peoples, and institutions such as the Church. The Principalities preside over the bands of angels and charge them with fulfilling the divine ministry. There are some who administer and some who assist.<ref name="Isidore of Seville: Etymologies"/>{{old|2022|3|9}}

An example of a Principality angel with a specific ''[[Cult (religious practice)|cultus]]'' is the [[Angel of Portugal]].

==== Archangels ====
{{Main|Archangel|Gabriel|Michael (archangel)|Raphael (archangel)}}
[[File:GuidoReni MichaelDefeatsSatan.jpg|right|thumb|''Archangel Michael defeats Satan'', by [[Guido Reni]] (1636), held in the Capuchin church of [[Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome]]]]

The word ''[[archangel]]'' is only used twice in the [[New Testament]]: in {{bibleverse|1|Thessalonians|4:16|NRSV}} and {{bibleverse||Jude|1:9|NRSV}}.

In most Christian traditions, [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] is also considered an archangel, but there is no direct literary support for this assumption. The term ''archangel'' appears only in the singular, never plural, and only in specific reference to [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]].

The name of the [[Raphael (archangel)|archangel Raphael]] appears only in the [[Book of Tobit]] (Tobias).

The [[Holy See]]'s 2001 ''Directory on popular piety'' states: "The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in [[Catholic Bible|Holy Scripture]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments |author-link=Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments |date=December 2001 |title=Directory on popular piety and the liturgy. Principles and guidelines |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter%20Six |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref>

==== Guardian angels ====
{{Main|Guardian angel}}
A guardian angel is a type of [[angel]] that is assigned to protect and guide a particular person, group or nation. Belief in [[tutelary deity|tutelary beings]] can be traced throughout all antiquity. The idea of angels that guard over people played a major role in [[Judaism#History|Ancient Judaism]]. In [[Christianity]], the [[hierarchy of angels]] was extensively developed in the 5th century by [[Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite]]. The [[theology]] of angels and tutelary spirits has undergone many changes since the 5th century. The belief is that guardian angels serve to protect whichever person [[God]] assigns them to. The Watchers were of this class of angels.