What kind of angels are there? The names of archangels and angels, their meaning in Christian culture

Definition

In everyday language, an Angel usually means any spiritual, intelligent, asexual, and sometimes ethereal being, expressing the will of some higher powers or God and possessing superhuman and supernatural capabilities.

In the TaNakh (Bible)

In the Torah (Pentateuch)

The most famous mention of Angels in the Pentateuch is the visit of three Angels to Abraham (Gen.). The sages say that one of them was to announce the birth of Isaac to Abraham, the second was to bring out Lot's family, and the third was to destroy Sodom.

Another significant place is where Jacob fights the angel of Genesis at night.

There is also a well-known place in the Torah where God, with the help of an angel, stops Abraham at the moment when he was ready to make a sacrifice:

In the Torah, when Angels appear in tangible form, their description is absent and a human form is implied. The inhabitants of Sodom apparently even confuse them with people when they demand Lot to hand them over.

There are few descriptions of the appearance of Angels in ethereal form. The most important of them is the book of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel). In his book, Angels are not “messengers”, but “beings from the Celestial Spheres.” Characteristic of them is the presence of wings and a large number of eyes. Some of their types are also listed there: Kruvim, Srafim, Ofanim, Hayot.

Nevi'im (Prophets)

The Christian Tradition considers this an allegory, believing that the “sons of God” in the Bible mean not only Angels, but also righteous people, thus, the meaning of this verse is that righteous people began to marry immoral people, succumbed to their influence, and they themselves became morally depressed. From the point of view of church theology, the sons of God are the descendants of Seth, and the daughters of men are the descendants of Cain.

During the Talmudic period, not only the common people, but also scientists believed in the existence of angels. But there is no mention of them in the Mishnah, because the scientists of that time belittled the importance of angels and their role in human life. In later aggadic texts of the Talmud, especially midrash, angels are mentioned several times. They are divided into many good and evil, higher and lower. Like the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, the Haggadah regards Gabriel, Michael, Rephael and Uriel as archangels and calls them angels of service (malachei ha-sharet). The Midrash gives great importance in the hierarchy of angels to Metatron. The responsibilities of the angels are differentiated, some are in charge of prayers, others are in charge of hail, rain, anger, pregnancy and birth, hell, etc. The Haggadah further develops the idea of ​​angels - guardians of nations and individual kings. Starting from the 3rd century. n. e. the word appears in the sources pamalya(literally 'retinue'), denoting a whole group of angels performing heavenly court.

The Haggadah gives varying opinions on whether angels should be considered superior beings compared to mere mortals. According to some statements, the righteous are higher than the angels, and according to others, both occupy the same position in the hierarchy of existence. Some teachers of the law expressed the opinion that every person is capable of becoming equal to an angel; others attributed this ability only to those professing Judaism. However, the latter can achieve this equality only after death. In aggadic eschatology, the prevailing view is that at the “end of days” the righteous will be elevated to a higher level than the angels. The angelological concepts developed in the Haggadah were also included in the liturgy. However, there was an opposite tendency among Jewish religious authorities, which sought to completely exclude mention of angels from the liturgy. In the Middle Ages, one of the most strident opponents of the veneration of angels was Maimonides.

Essenes

The angelological doctrine found widest distribution among the Essenes. The Qumran manuscripts testify to a coherent angelological system, according to which the “prince of light” and other heavenly princes were supposed to fight on the side of the “sons of light” on the “last day.” In this struggle for power between the forces of good and evil, a certain dualism can be recognized. The Pharisees had little interest in angelology. Being opponents of all mysticism, the Sadducees, however, hardly completely denied the very existence of angels.

In Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, angels number from 100 thousand to 49 million. True, when we talk about a large number of angels, we mean either nameless inhabitants of some Kabbalistic worlds, or, on the contrary, one name obtained by rearranging the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Kabbalah distinguishes several categories of angels: angels of service and destruction, angels of mercy and punishment, and even male and female angels (Zohar). The power of angels, according to Kabbalists, is based on the emanation of divine light manifested in them. In every human being, in their opinion, there live a good and an evil angel, and every step of a person is accompanied by good and evil spirits. A huge army of angels of destruction (malachei habala), in contrast to the good environment of God, constitutes the family of the Evil One, the devil - the personification of the reverse, “left” side of divine existence.

"Dark Angels"

The angels of the "Dark Side" are nevertheless also considered angels. For example, Samael is the Angel of Death (Malakh ha-Mavet). Of the evil angels (angels of destruction - malachi habala), he plays a special role. He is identified with the terrible giants and demons that exist in oral legends, in the literature of the ancient Near East and medieval Europe ("devil", "Satan").

In the Talmud, the angel of death is identical to Satan (Samael) and the yetzer ha-ra (evil thought). In folklore, the angel of death is often depicted allegorically: he has many eyes, he is a zealous reaper or an old man with a sword dripping with poison, etc. But most often the angel of death appears in the form of a fugitive and vagabond, a beggar, a traveling merchant or an Arab. nomad. In Jewish angelology, the motif of fallen angels is also found. Its origins go back to the biblical story of the sons of God (bnei elohim), who, seduced by the beauty of the daughters of men, descended to earth. There they came to know the virgins of the earth, and from this connection a generation of giants was born.

However, the biblical tradition does not contain the element of moral conviction characteristic of later legends about fallen angels. This element first appears in the above-mentioned book of Enoch. Here the giants, descendants of the fallen angels, began to mercilessly exterminate people and teach them the use of weapons and other inventions that contribute to the spread of immorality and villainy. The archangels, having heeded the complaints of the people, turned to God, and they were ordered to punish the fallen angels. The legend of fallen angels, seduced by mortal women and doing evil on earth, is repeated in one variation or another in apocryphal and talmudic literature and in an even more colorful form in midrash.

In philosophy

Philo of Alexandria (1st century AD) identified the angels mentioned in the Bible with the demons of Greek philosophy. For Saadia Gaon (10th century), angels were corporeal beings, albeit of a more perfect substance than man. According to Abraham Ibn Ezra (12th century), angels are identical to the immaterial or simplest forms of ideal existence postulated by Neoplatonic ontology. In general, in the Middle Ages, the Aristotelian concept prevailed in Jewish philosophy, the most prominent representative of which was Maimonides. Its adherents viewed angels as “separate intelligences” (shalim nifradim), existing separately from human flesh. However, Maimonides believed that the term angel denotes not only a separate mind, but also all natural and physical forces.

In Christianity

In Christianity, angels are called ministering spirits and are depicted as people with snow-white wings on their backs.

Angels today

In modern Judaism, such as Reform and Conservative Judaism, there is a tendency to view traditional descriptions of angels as poetic symbols. References to angels have been almost entirely removed from Reform liturgy and from the liturgy of some groups of Conservative Judaists.

The attitude towards angels among most Orthodox Jews is ambivalent: although their existence is not completely denied, there is a tendency to demythologize ideas about angels and to interpret them as symbols. However, the degree of belief in angels varies among different orthodox groups. Belief in angels, in full accordance with traditional ideas about them, is preserved only among

Angel (ancient Greek ἄγγελος, angelos - “messenger, messenger”) in Abrahamic - a spiritual, intelligent, sexless and ethereal being, expressing the will of some higher powers or God and possessing superhuman and supernatural capabilities. The Bible calls Angels ministering Heb. 1:14. They are often depicted as people with snow-white wings on their backs.

The Greek word aγγελος angelos is a direct translation of the Hebrew. מלאך‎ mal'akhʁh with the same meaning, from the archaic root לאכ, "to send", attested in Ugaritic; The Arabic word ملاك‎ malak is borrowed directly from Hebrew.

Angels in Christianity

According to Christian teaching, all angels are ministering angels. They were created by God before the creation of the material world, over which they have significant power. There are significantly more of them than all people. The purpose of angels is to glorify God, to embody his glory, to direct and embody grace for the glory of God (therefore they are a great help to those who are being saved), their destiny is to glorify God and fulfill His instructions and will.

Angels, just like people, have a mind and their mind is much more perfect than a human one. Angels are eternal. Most often, angels are depicted as beardless youths, in light deaconal (ministry) vestments (surplice, orarion, bridles), with wings behind their backs (speed) and with a halo above their heads. However, in visions, angels appeared to people as six-winged (when Angels are not similar to humans in appearance, then their wings are like flowing streams of grace) and in the form of wheels dotted with eyes, and in the form of creatures with four faces on their heads, and as fiery swords rotating, or even in the form of fancy animals (sphinxes, chimeras, pegasi, griffins, unicorns, etc.). In scripture they are sometimes called birds of the air.

In the angelic world, God established a strict hierarchy of 9 angelic ranks: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, Angels. The leader of the entire angelic army, Dennitsa, the most powerful, talented, beautiful and close to God, was so proud of his highest position among the other angels that he refused to recognize man as a being equal in abilities to God (meaning man’s ability to create and see the essence of things), then is above him, he himself wanted to become above God, and because of which he was overthrown.

Moreover, he managed to seduce many angels from different ranks. And at that moment, Archangel Michael called on those who hesitated to remain faithful to God, led an army of bright angels, and struck down Dennitsa (who began to be called the devil, Satan, the evil one, etc., and other fallen angels - demons, devils, etc.).

And there was a war in Heaven, as a result of which the evil spirits were cast into the “underworld of the earth,” that is, into hell, where they organized themselves into the kingdom of Beelzebub, with the same angelic hierarchy. The fallen are not completely deprived of their former power and, by God’s permission, can instill sinful thoughts and desires in people, guide them and cause them pain. But good angels also help people, of whom there are more than demons (the Apocalypse says that the serpent (Lucifer) carried away a third of the stars (angels)).

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An angel (ancient Greek ἄγγελος, angelos - “messenger, messenger”) in Abrahamic religions is a spiritual, intelligent, sexless and ethereal being, expressing the will of some higher powers or God and possessing superhuman and supernatural capabilities. The Bible calls Angels ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14). They are often depicted as people with snow-white wings on their backs. The Greek word aγγελος angelos is a direct translation of the Hebrew. מלאך‎...

The peacock symbolizes diversity, beauty and power. God entrusted the entire world to seven angels led by Malak Tawus.

Tavusi Malak is the head of the pantheon of archangels, the powerful patron of the egregor of the Yezidi religion. According to the Yazidi faith, Malak Tavus is an expansion of God, he has the status of a direct servant of the Almighty. Tavus Malak in Yezidism is represented in the form of a bird, namely peacock.

According to the Yazidi religion:

1. on the first day, Sunday, God created the Angel Azrael, who is also Tavusi Malak, Piri Tavusi Malak, the head of everything.
2. on Monday God created the angel Dardail, aka Sheikh Hassan;
3. on Tuesday the angel Israel, aka Sheikh Shams-ad-Din, was created;
4. on Wednesday the angel Michael, also known as Sheikh Abu Bakr, was created;
5. on Thursday God created the angel Anzazil, aka Sajjad ad-Din;
6. on Friday He created the angel Shemnael, aka Nasir ad-Din;
7. On Saturday the angel Nurail, also known as Fakhr ad-Din, was created.

And God appointed Tavusi Malak as ruler over everyone.

The name Tavusi Malak literally means:

• Tav - Sun,
• U - and,
• Si - shadow,
• Malak - Archangel.

Tavus Malak is associated with the solar principle:

• In Iran, the metaphorical name for the Sun is Tavus-e Falak (Heavenly Peacock).
• In Ancient Egypt, the peacock was considered a symbol of Heliopolis, the city in which the sun temple was located.
• In Ancient Greece, the peacock was a symbol of the Sun.
• In Islam, the peacock's tail represented either the universe, the full Moon or the Sun at its zenith.
• In Indian mythology, the pattern of an open peacock's tail is perceived as a picture of the starry sky.
• In the catacombs of the first Christians, the peacock was one of the main religious symbols, as well as a symbol of saints, since the shape of its open tail resembles a halo. In early Christianity, the image of a peacock was colored with solar symbolism and was perceived as a symbol of immortality and the beauty of the incorruptible soul.

Orthodox Yazidis are obliged to bow to the first rays of the Sun every morning, but this does not mean that they worship this particular luminary.

• Firstly, the Sun is a source of light and heat, without which life on our planet is unthinkable, which means that it is the source of life. Without the Sun, darkness will cover the Earth and all life will cease to exist!
• Secondly, this source of life is not made by hands, but was created and endowed with energy by the Lord God himself, and through his servant She Shamsah controls this luminary.
• Thirdly, if the Yazidis bow to the source of life during morning prayer, this does not mean at all that they do not recognize God, but only worship his creation. According to the Yazidi religion, no mortal can serve God directly. Therefore, the service of God among the Yazidi clergy occurs through the mediation of archangels and angels, in whose honor their family homes are named.

Quite often, the peacock was represented in images of the grotto in Bethlehem, where Christ was born: two peacocks drinking from the same cup indicate spiritual rebirth. The peacock is one of the indispensable attributes in Hinduism, for example, it acts as the goddess of wisdom, poetry and music Saraswati.

Based on the theology of the Yazidi religion, it is impossible to see the Supreme Personality of God in this body, since it is imperfect. During prayer, a devout Yazidi worships the source of light, the forces of light, but not the source of darkness, for the worship of evil is the path of degradation of the soul. Because the Yezidis do not talk about the evil spirit at all, and leave the place where they scold him, some researchers have counted them among his fans.

The Yazidi clergy explains it this way: “If you talk about God and His bright servants, then this meditation evokes positive energy. But in the case when you are talking about an evil spirit, then it will also be present with its negative energy, especially since there is no need to scold it, because a reaction will follow. Therefore, avoid places where there is talk about the evil spirit.” Yazidis are also forbidden to use out loud the name and names of the evil spirit under different names.

The basis for the creation of church teaching about angels is the writtenin the 5th century, the book of Dionysius the Areopagite “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” (Greek “Περί της ουρανίας”, Latin “De caelesti hierarchia”), better known in the 6th century edition. The nine angelic ranks are divided into three triads, each of which has some peculiarity.

First triad – seraphim, cherubim and thrones - characterized by immediate proximity to God;

Second triad – strength, domination and power - emphasizes the divine basis of the universe and world dominion;

Third triad – beginnings, archangels and angels themselves - characterized by close proximity to humans.

Dionysius summarized what had been accumulated before him. Seraphim, cherubim, powers and angels are already mentioned in the Old Testament; in the New Testament dominions, principalities, thrones, powers and archangels appear.

According to the classification of Gregory the Theologian (4th century)The angelic hierarchy consists of angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, radiances, ascensions and intelligences.

According to their position in the hierarchy, the ranks are arranged as follows:

seraphim - first

cherubim - second

thrones - third

domination - fourth

strength - fifth

authorities - sixth

beginning - seventh

archangels - eighth

angels - ninth.

Jewish hierarchical structures differ from Christian ones because they appeal only to the first part of the Bible - the Old Testament (TaNaKh). One source lists ten ranks of angels, starting with the highest: 1. hayot; 2. Ofanim; 3. arelim; 4. hashmalim; 5. seraphim; 6. malakim, actually “angels”; 7. elohim; 8. bene Elohim (“sons of God”); 9. cherubs; 10. ishim.

In "Maseket Azilut" the ten angelic ranks are given in a different order:1. seraphim led by Shemuel or Yehoel; 2. Ofanim led by Raphael and Ophaniel; 3. cherubim, led by Kerubiel; 4. Shinanim, over whom Tzedekiel and Gabriel were placed; 5. tarshishim, whose leaders are Tarshish and Sabriel; 6. Ishim with Zephaniel at their head; 7. Hashmalim, whose leader is called Hashmal; 8. Malakim, led by Uzziel; 9. Bene Elohim, led by Hofniel; 10. Arelim, led by Michael himself.

The names of the elder angels (archangels) vary in different sources. Traditionally, the highest rank is attributed to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - three angels named by name in the biblical books; the fourth is usually added to them Uriel, found in the non-canonical 3 Book of Ezra. There is a common belief that there are seven higher angels (associated with the magical properties of the number 7), attempts to list them by name have been made since the time of 1 Book of Enoch, but there are too many discrepancies. We will limit ourselves to listing the “magnificent seven” accepted in the Orthodox tradition: these are Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salafiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, Jeremiel, headed by the eighth, Michael.

The Jewish tradition also assigns an extremely high position to the archangel Metatron, who in earthly life was the patriarch Enoch, but in heaven turned into an angel. He is the vizier of the heavenly court and almost the deputy of God Himself.

1. Seraphim

Seraphim are angels of love, light and fire. They occupy the highest position in the hierarchy of ranks and serve God, taking care of his throne. Seraphim express their love for God by constantly singing psalms of praise.

In Hebrew tradition, the endless singing of the seraphim is known as"trisagion" – Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh (“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of the Heavenly Forces, the whole earth is full of his radiance”), considered a song of creation and celebration. Being the closest creatures to God, seraphim are also considered “fiery”, since they are enveloped in the flame of eternal love.

According to the medieval mystic Jan van Ruijsbroeck, the three orders of seraphim, cherubim and thrones never take part in human conflicts, but are with us when we peacefully contemplate God and experience constant love in our hearts. They generate divine love in people.

Saint John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos had a vision of angels: Gabriel, Metatron, Kemuel and Nathaniel among the seraphim.

Isaiah is the only prophet to mention seraphim in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), when he recounts his vision of fiery angels above the Throne of the Lord: "Each one had six wings: two covered the face, two covered the feet, and two were used for flight."

Another reference to seraphim can be found in the book of Numbers (21:6), where a reference is made to “fiery serpents.” According to the Second Book of Enoch (apocrypha), seraphim have six wings, four heads and faces.

Lucifer left the rank of seraphim. In fact, the Fallen Prince was considered an angel who outshone all others until he fell from God's Grace.

Seraphim – In Jewish and Christian mythologyangels especially close to God.The prophet Isaiah describes them this way: “In the year of the death of King Uzziah, I saw the Lord sitting on a high throne, and the edges of His robe filled the whole temple. The Seraphim stood around Him; each of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And they called to each other and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory/” (Is. 6. 1-3). According to the classification of Pseudo-Dionysius, together with the cherubim and thrones, the seraphim belong to the first triad: “... the most holy Thrones, the many-eyed and many-winged Orders, called in the language of the Jews Cherubim and Seraphim, according to the explanation of the Holy Scriptures, are in greater and more direct relation to the others

closeness to God... as for the name of the Seraphim, it clearly shows their incessant and everlasting desire for the Divine, their ardor and speed, their ardent, constant, unrelenting and unwavering swiftness, as well as their ability to truly elevate the lower ones to what is above, to excite and ignite them to the same heat: it also means the ability to scorch and burn. thereby cleansing them - always open. their unquenchable, constantly identical, light-forming and enlightening power. driving away and destroying all obscurity.

2. Cherubim

Word "cherub" means "fullness of knowledge" or "outpouring of wisdom."This choir has the power to know and contemplate God and the ability to understand and communicate divine knowledge to others.

3. Thrones

Term "thrones", or "many-eyed", indicates their proximity to the throne of God.This is the closest rank to God: they receive both their divine perfection and consciousness directly from Him.

Pseudo-Dionysius reports:

“So, it is right that the highest beings are dedicated to the first of the heavenly Hierarchies, since it has the highest rank, especially since the first Epiphanies and consecrations initially refer to it, as the closest to God, and the burning Thrones and the outpouring of wisdom are called

heavenly Minds because these names express their God-like properties... The name of the highest Thrones means that they

completely free from all earthly attachments and, constantly rising above the earthly, peacefully strive for the heavenly, with all their might

motionless and firmly attached to the truly Highest Being,

accepting His Divine suggestion in complete dispassion and immateriality; It also means that they carry God and slavishly carry out His Divine commands.

4. Dominations

Holy dominions are endowed with sufficient power to rise above and free themselves from earthly desires and aspirations.Their duty is to distribute the responsibilities of the angels.

According to Pseudo-Dionysius, “the significant name of the holy Dominions... means a certain unservile and free from any low attachment to the earthly exaltation to the heavenly, not in any way shaken by any violent attraction to something dissimilar to them, but a dominion constant in its freedom, standing above of any humiliating slavery, alien to all humiliation, removed from all inequality to itself, constantly striving for true Dominion and, as much as possible, holyly transforming into perfect likeness to Him both itself and everything subordinate to it, not clinging to anything that exists by chance, but always completely turning to the truly existent and constantly participating in the sovereign likeness of God.”

5. Powers

The forces known as "brilliant or radiant" are angels of miracles, help, blessings that appear during battles in the name of faith.It is believed that David received the support of the Forces to fight Goliath.

The powers are also the angels from whom Abraham received his strength when God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The main duties of these angels are to perform miracles on Earth.

They are allowed to interfere with everything that concerns the physical laws on earth, but they are also responsible for enforcing those laws. By this rank, the fifth in the Hierarchy of Angels, humanity is given valor as well as mercy.

Pseudo-Dionysius says: “The name of the holy Powers means some powerful and irresistible courage, if possible imparted to them, reflected in all their God-like actions in order to remove from themselves everything that could reduce and weaken the Divine insights bestowed upon them, strongly striving for the imitation of God, not remaining idle from laziness, but steadily looking at the highest and all-strengthening Power and, as far as possible, becoming Her image according to its own strength, completely turned to Her as the source of Power and descending God-like to the lower powers to impart power to them.”

6. Authorities

Authorities are on the same level as dominions and powers, and are endowed with power and intelligence second only to God's. They provide balance to the universe.

According to the Gospels, authorities can be both good forces and minions of evil. Among the nine angelic ranks, the authorities close the second triad, which in addition to them also includes dominions and powers. As Pseudo-Dionysius said, “the name of the holy Powers signifies an order equal to the Divine Dominions and Powers, harmonious and capable of receiving Divine insights, and a structure of premium spiritual dominion, which does not autocratically use the granted sovereign powers for evil, but freely and decently to the Divine as itself ascending , so holyly leading others to Him and, as far as possible, becoming like the Source and Giver of all power and depicting Him... in the completely true use of His sovereign power.”

7. Beginnings

The principles are legions of angels protecting religion.They constitute the seventh choir in the Dionysian hierarchy, immediately preceding the archangels. The beginnings give strength to the peoples of the Earth to find and survive their destiny.

They are also believed to be the guardians of the peoples of the world. The choice of this term, like the term “authority,” to designate the orders of the angels of God is somewhat questionable, since c. The book of Ephesians refers to the “principalities and powers” ​​as “the spirits of wickedness in high places” against which Christians must fight (“Ephesians” 6:12).

Among those considered “chief” in this order are Nisroc, an Assyrian deity who is considered in occult scriptures to be the chief prince of the demon of hell, and Anael, one of the seven angels of creation.

The Bible says: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor

Beginnings, neither Powers, nor the present, nor the future... can separate us

from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 8.38). By

classification of Pseudo-Dionysius. beginnings are part of the third triad

along with the archangels and the angels themselves. Pseudo-Dionysius says:

“The name of the heavenly Principalities means the God-like ability to command and control in accordance with the sacred order befitting the commanding Powers, both to turn completely to the Beginningless Beginning, and to others, as is characteristic of the Principality, to guide Him, to imprint in oneself, as far as possible, the image of the inaccurate Beginning, etc. finally, the ability to express His supreme superiority in the well-being of the commanding Powers..., The heralding order of the Principalities, Archangels and Angels alternately commands over the human Hierarchies, so that the ascension and turning to God, communication and unity with Him, which from God graciously extends to all Hierarchies, begins through communication and flows out in the most sacred orderly order.”

8. Archangels

Archangels - The word is of Greek origin and is translated as “chief angels”, “senior angels”.The term “Archangels” appears for the first time in Greek-language Jewish literature of pre-Christian times (Greek translation of the “Book of Enoch” 20, 7) as a rendering of expressions like (“grand prince”) in the application to Michael of the Old Testament texts (Dan. 12, 1); then this term is perceived by the New Testament authors (Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4, 16) and later Christian literature. According to the Christian celestial hierarchy, they rank directly above the angels. Religious tradition has seven archangels. The main one here is Michael the Archangel (Greek “supreme military leader”) - the leader of the armies of angels and people in their universal battle with Satan. Michael's weapon is a flaming sword.

Archangel Gabriel - best known for his participation in the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the birth of Jesus Christ. As a messenger of the hidden secrets of the world, he is depicted with a flowering branch, with a mirror (reflection is also a way of knowledge), and sometimes with a candle inside a lamp - the same symbol of a hidden sacrament.

Archangel Raphael - known as the heavenly healer and comforter of the afflicted.

Four other archangels are mentioned less frequently.

Uriel - this is heavenly fire, the patron saint of those who devoted themselves to the sciences and arts.

Salafiel - the name of the supreme servant with whom prayer inspiration is associated. On icons he is depicted in a prayerful pose, with his hands folded crosswise on his chest.

Archangel Yehudiel - blesses ascetics and protects them from the forces of evil. In his right hand he has a golden crown as a symbol of blessing, in his left hand there is a scourge that drives away enemies.

Barachiel - the role of dispenser of heavenly blessings was assigned to ordinary workers, primarily farmers. He is depicted with pink flowers.

The Old Testament legend also speaks of seven heavenly archangels. Their ancient Iranian parallel is the seven good spirits of Amesha Spenta(“immortal saints”) finds a correspondence with the mythology of the Vedas.This points to the Indo-European origins of the doctrine of the seven archangels, which in turn correlates with the most ancient ideas of people about the sevenfold structures of being, both divine and earthly.

9. Angels

Both Greek and Hebrew words expressing the concept"angel" means "messenger". Angels often played this role in the texts of the Bible, but its authors often give this term another meaning. Angels are God's incorporeal helpers. They appear as people with wings and a halo of light around their heads. They are usually mentioned in Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious texts. Angels have the appearance of a man, “only with wings and dressed in white robes: God created them from stone”; angels and seraphim - women, cherubim - men or children)<Иваницкий, 1890>.

Good and evil angels, messengers of God or the devil, converge in a decisive battle described in the book of Revelation. Angels can be ordinary people, prophets, inspiring good deeds, supernatural bearers of all kinds of messages or mentors, and even impersonal forces, like the winds, cloud pillars or fire that guided the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Plague and pestilence are called evil angels. St. Paul calls his illness “the messenger of Satan.” Many other phenomena, such as inspiration, sudden impulses, providences, are also attributed to angels.

Invisible and immortal. According to the teachings of the church, angels are genderless invisible spirits, immortal from the day of their creation. There are many angels, which follows from the Old Testament description of God - “Lord of hosts.” They form a hierarchy of angels and archangels of the entire heavenly army. The early church clearly distinguished nine types, or "orders," of angels.

Angels served as intermediaries between God and his people. The Old Testament says that no one could see God and live, so direct communication between the Almighty and man is often depicted as communication with an angel. It was the angel who prevented Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. Moses saw an angel in a burning bush, although the voice of God was heard. An angel led the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. At times, the biblical angels appear just like mortals until their true nature is revealed, like the angels who came to Lot before the horrific destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Nameless spirits. Other angels are also mentioned in Scripture, such as a spirit with a fiery sword who blocked Adam's path back to Eden; cherub and seraphim, depicted in the form of thunderclouds and lightning, which recalls the belief of the ancient Jews in the god of thunderstorms; the messenger of God, who miraculously rescued Peter from prison, in addition, the angels who appeared to Isaiah in his vision of the heavenly court: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the whole temple. Seraphim stood around Him; each of them has six wings; With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”

Hosts of angels appear several times in the pages of the Bible. Thus, a choir of angels announced the birth of Christ. Archangel Michael commanded a large heavenly army in the battle against the forces of evil. The only angels in the Old and New Testaments who have their own names are Michael and Gabriel, who brought Mary the news of the birth of Jesus. Most angels refused to name themselves, reflecting the popular belief that revealing the name of a spirit diminishes its power.

Below is an extensive list of Angel names. This is part of a large collection of magical names that I collected last year. I took the names from several sources, including: the book of Enoch 1 (translated by Charles), the classic works of Gustav Davidson, the Dictionary of Angels, Matthew Bunson's Angels from A to Z, and the Encyclopedia of Angels, which was published by Visible ink Press (Compiled by James Lewis and Dorothy Oliver) in addition to several sources of Medieval ceremonial magic, such as Forbidden Rites, etc. There will also be a separate list with the names of demons. Technically, Angels are different from demons because one of them was cast out of heaven, and the other remained near God. Naturally, everything is not so simple, so the names of the fallen Angels are mixed with the usual ones in this list (especially those taken from Enoch's list).

How do we decide who is fallen and who is not? If you follow the instructions of the Medieval Church, then the only Angels who can be considered unfallen and completely legitimate are the ArchAngels Raphael, Gabriel and Michael, they are most often mentioned in the Bible. It may be noted that these three also appear frequently in the sacred texts of other religions. In the Sumerian legend of Inanna's descent into Hell, Michael, Gabriel and others stand guard at the gates of Hell. Those who would later be called archangels appear in Jewish myth as guardians who receive gifts from the goddess before she goes through all the circles of hell to reach the throne of her sister Ereshkigal. Extensive knowledge about Angels and demons that pass through the centuries is the same fascination for me as various myths. I hope many of you find this list interesting, even if you're just looking at it for fun. Enjoy.

List of Angel Names:
Aarin: a term used to describe the Angels who descend from heaven in search of the daughters of men to produce the Nephilim, appearing in the book of Enoch.
Abaddon: Angel of the Abyss.
Abalim:"Great Angel", fiery guardian.
Abdiel: courageous “fiery seraph”, from the book “Paradise Lost” by Milton.
Adimus: The angel revered by the church probably descended from the first man.
Adoel: The angel who controlled the explosion that brought the universe into existence (the Angel of the Big Bang), according to the book of Enoch.
Af: scary angel consisting of red and black flames.
Ahiah: half-Angel, son of Semyaza.
Akhazriel:"Messenger of God".
Amaliel: Protector of the weak.
Anahita: fiery female Angel, associated with water and Persian myths.
Anaiel: The angel who gave knowledge to humanity, according to the book of Enoch.
Anak:"giant", a mortal with the blood of an Angel.
Anakim:"giants", a race of fierce giants, are mentioned in the Bible as the descendants of giants.
Anaphiel: high Angel Merkabah, bearer of the seal.
Angelos: translated from Greek: “messenger”, heavenly being.
Aphaeleon: ruler of the fallen Angels, listed in treatises on ceremonial magic.
Appolyon: Angel of the Abyss.
Arakiba: Angel from the Book of Enoch.
Aralim:“great angel” of the throne, fiery guardian.
Araquiel: taught the signs of the earth, from the book of Enoch.
Arariel: Angel of the oceans, patron of fishermen, medieval Angel of knowledge.
Archon: The governing angel of the material world, from the Gnostic myth.
Ariel:“lion of God”, spirit of the air, sources: Hebrew myths, also appears in Shakespeare.
Arioch: one of the fallen Angels, according to Milton's Paradise Lost, also appears in the works of Michael Moorcock.
Ariuk: Enoch's guardian, according to his book.
Armaros: taught humanity magic, from the book of Enoch.
Armisael: Angel of childbirth.
Asaph: An angel who was supposedly the author of Psalms 73-83.
Asuriel: The angel who warns of the flood, from the book of Enoch.
Azazel: taught people to make metal and mine precious stones, from the book of Enoch.
Azrael: The angel of death appears in the works of Leila Wendela.
Ballaton: guardian, name used in Solomon's magic.
Baradiel: heavenly prince, Angel of the city, from the book of Enoch.
Baraqiel: heavenly prince, Angel of lightning, from the book of Enoch.
Barattiel: supports the highest heavens, from the book of Enoch.
Bethor: Angel of Jupiter, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Boamiel: An angel from the 4 edges of heaven, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Boel: Angel of Saturn.
Kamael:"one who sees God."
Camiel: one of the variants of the name Kamael, “he who sees God.”
Caphriel: Angel of the Sabbath.
Cassiel: Angel of tears and abstinence, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Cerviel: Angel of the Principalities.
Chalkydri: or the "brazen serpent" or satellite of the Sun, from the book of Enoch.
Chamuel:"one who seeks God."
Chasan: patron of the air, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Daniel:“God is my judge” is also the name of a prophet in Hebrew.
Dubbiel: protector of the Persians.
Duma: The Angel of Silence is also the patron saint of Egypt.
Empyrean: the highest heaven, celestial fire, is mentioned in Milton's Paradise Lost.
Ephemera:"short-lived" Angels who are created to sing the praises of God.
Erelim:"brave".
Exousia:"power" or "virtue", alternative to Angel, Greece.
Ezequiel: taught humanity the knowledge of clouds, from the book of Enoch.
Gabriel:"God is my strength", Angel of Judgment, one of the Angels who is introduced by name in the Bible.
Gadiel: designed to ward off evil, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Gadriel: taught people the arts of war, from the book of Enoch.
Gagallim:"sphere".
Gazardiel: Angel of dawn and sunset.
Germael:"greatness of God", Angel of creation.
Gezuriya: Angel of powers.
Gibborim: giant half-Angel, "man of glory", mentioned in Jewish and biblical treatises.
Grigori: from Greek “looker”.
Gabriel: Angel of powers.
Hadariel:"Glory to God."
Hadramiel:"Glory of God", variant of Gabriel.
Hamon:
Haniel:"God's grace."
Haroth: Marota's twin, knew the secret name of God, mentioned in Persian myth.
Hashmal: leader of order.
Hayliel: the owner of the fiery whip, from the book of Enoch.
Hemah: a terrible Angel, consisting of black and red flames, is mentioned in Jewish treatises.
Hochmael:"The Wisdom of God".
Irin: An alternative definition for the Nephilim, it is believed that Ireland was named after him since he was the first to settle in that place.
Ishim: Angel of Ice and Fire.
Israfel: Angel of the Resurrection.
Ithuriel: messenger of Gabriel, appears in Milton's Paradise Lost.
Jabril: Muslim version of Gabriel.
Jael: keeper of the Ark of the Covenant.
Jeduthun: choirmaster, gives the status of Angels.
Jehoel: leader and guardian, seraphim.
Jeremiel:"God's Grace", Ramiel's version.
Kadmiel (Jeremiel): Angel of childbirth.
Kajabiel:
Kalmiya: guardian of the veil.
Kasbiel: taught the name that binds oaths from the book of Enoch.
Kasdeja: taught spiritualism and birth control, from the book of Enoch.
Kemuel: variant of Kamael, "one who sees God."
Kerubiel: formidable Angel of fire and lightning, leader of the choir of cherubs.
Kezef: Angel of destruction.
Kochbiel:"Star of God", Angel of Astrology.
Lahabiel: protector and guardian.
Laylah:“night”, Angel of Conception, according to Muslim treatises: female Angel.
Layla: Layla's version, "night".
Lucifiel:"luminous", morning star, variant of Lucifer.
Lucifer: the most beautiful of the Angels, who challenged God, but was cast down for his pride.
Mahadiel:“God is Everywhere,” from the Book of Enoch.
Madan: Angel of Mercury, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Mahanaim:"two armies", the heavenly army, is mentioned in Jewish treatises.
Malachi:"God's envoy".
Malakh:"messenger", celestial being, Muslim term meaning Angel.
Maryuk: Enoch's guardian.
Maroth: the twin Garoth, who knew the secret name of God, is mentioned in Persian treatises.
Mastema:"Angel of Accusation"
Matariel: Angel of rain.
Melkyal:“God is Everywhere,” from the Book of Enoch.
Merkabah:"chariot", the mystical path to God.
Metatron: Angel of presence, divine archivist, mediator of God.
Michael: The sword of God and the heavenly warrior-prince, one of the archangels, whose name is mentioned in the Bible.
Mikhal: Michael's version, "Like God."
Mumiel: guardian of health.
Muriel: Angel of order.
Nakir: black and blue-eyed Angel of Justice.
Nathaniel:"Given by God", Angel of Fire.
Nephilim: giant half-Angel, “glorious man.”
Nuriel: Angel of the city.
Onafiel: Angel of the moon.
Ophaniel: serpentine angel.
Ophanim:“wheel”, “many-eyed”, can also be attributed to snakes.
Oriel: Angel of fate.
Orifiel: Angel of the planet Saturn.
Pahadron: Angel of Terror.
Peliel: leader of the choir of Virtues.
Penemu: taught people writing from the book of Enoch.
Peniel:"He who has seen God."
Phanuel: Angel of presence, Angel of repentance.
Purah: Angel of oblivion.
Puriel: harsh judge.
Quadisin:"saints" stand next to Gregory.
Qaphsiel: repels his enemies.
Radbos (Rabdos): guardian of the stars.
Raduriel: heavenly archivist, from the book of Enoch.
Raguel:"Friend of God."
Rahab: the cruel Angel of the Sea, supposedly killed by God, angry with him for some act.
Rahatiel: ruler of the constellations, from the book of Enoch.
Rahmiel: Angel of Mercy.
Ramiel:"The Grace of God", Angel of Thunder.
Raphael:"God's healing", Angel of the sun, archangel, his name is mentioned in the Bible.
Raziel: Earthquake Angel, from the Book of Enoch.
Razael: The angel of secrets, there is a belief that he was punished by God for giving a book of magic to Adam.
Remiel: translator of visions, from the book of Enoch.
Rikbiel: guardian of the chariot of God, from the book of Enoch.
Ruhiel: Angel of the winds.
Sabaoth: he was worshiped as an Angel in the Middle Ages, in Hebrew: Heavenly Host.
Sahaqiel: guardian of the fourth heaven, from the book of Enoch.
Salathiel:"He who inquires of the Lord."
Samael:"Poison of God", the fearsome Angel of Death, he is associated with Satan/Lucifer.
Sandalphon:"brother", Greek Angel of glory and prayer.
Saraquiel: a variant of the name Arakuel, taught forbidden knowledge, from the book of Enoch.
Sariel:"Prince of God", rules the spirits, from the Book of Enoch.
Semalion: Angel of Proclamation.
Semsapiel: mentioned in the book of Enoch.
Semyaza: The leader of the Angels who came down from heaven to marry the daughters of men, they are sometimes associated with Lucifer and/or Satan.
Seraph: living fire, holy angel, the name may mean: “fiery snake.”
Seraphiel: eagle-like, chief Seraphim.
Shamsiel:"The Light of God", from the Book of Enoch.
Sidriel: Prince of Virtue, from the Book of Enoch.
Sopheriel: keeper of books about life and death.
Soterasiel:"one who causes God's fire."
Tabris: Angel of free will.
Tadhiel: Angel of sacrifice.
Tagas: heavenly prince, mentioned in the book of Enoch.
Tamiel: mentioned in the book of Enoch.
Tarshishim:"shining".
Tatrasiel: heavenly prince, mentioned in the book of Enoch.
Temlakos: patron of abused children, Greece.
Turiel: mentioned in the book of Enoch.
Uriel:"God's Flame", sometimes the Angel of Healing, sometimes the Angel of Death.
Usiel:“The Power of the Lord,” from the Book of Enoch.
Vretiel: Angel of Wisdom from the Book of Enoch.
Yahoel: protector and guardian, seraphim.
Zadkiel: An angel, his symbol is a dagger, from the book of Enoch.
Zagzagel: Angel of the burning bush.
Zakum: Angel of prayer.
Zambrim: ruler of the fallen Angels, mentioned in ceremonial magic.
Zaphkiel: faster than cherubs.
Zarall: Guardian of the Ark of the Covenant.
Zephon: messenger of Gabriel, mentioned in Milton's Paradise Lost.
Zophiel:"The Beauty of God."
Zuriel:"The Lord is my stronghold."