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{{Short description|Concept found in some works of early Jewish literature}}
{{Short description|Concept found in some works of early Jewish literature}}
[[Image:Archangels.JPG|200px|thumbnail|''Synaxis of the Archangel Michael'' (''Собор Архистратига Михаила''). An [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] [[icon]] of the "Seven [[Archangels]]." From left to right: [[Jegudiel]], [[Gabriel]] (גַּבְרִיאֵל), [[Selaphiel]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], and [[Barachiel]]. Beneath the [[mandorla]] of Christ [[Emmanuel]] are representations of [[Cherubim]] (in blue) and [[Seraphim]] (in red).]]
[[Image:Archangels.JPG|upright=1.1|thumbnail|''Synaxis of the Archangel Michael'' (''Собор Архистратига Михаила''). An [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] [[icon]] of the "Seven [[Archangels]]." From left to right: [[Jegudiel]], [[Gabriel]] (גַּבְרִיאֵל), [[Selaphiel]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], and [[Barachiel]]. Beneath the [[mandorla]] of Christ [[Emmanuel]] are representations of [[Cherubim]] (in blue) and [[Seraphim]] (in red).]]


The concept of '''Seven Archangels''' is found in some works of early [[Jewish literature]] and in [[Christianity]].<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000">{{cite book |last1=Parry |first1=Ken |last2=Melling |first2=David J. |last3=Brady |first3=Dimitri |last4=Griffith |first4=Sidney H. |last5=Healey |first5=John F. |title=The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity |date=8 November 2000 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-631-18966-4 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref> In those texts, they are referenced as the angels who serve God directly.
The concept of '''Seven Archangels''' is found in some works of early [[Jewish literature]] and in [[Christianity]].<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000">{{cite book |last1=Parry |first1=Ken |last2=Melling |first2=David J. |last3=Brady |first3=Dimitri |last4=Griffith |first4=Sidney H. |last5=Healey |first5=John F. |title=The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity |date=8 November 2000 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-631-18966-4 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref> In those texts, they are referenced as the angels who serve God directly.


The [[Catholic Church]] venerates seven archangels; while in the [[Latin Rite]] only three are invoked by name ([[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]) in the [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Rites]] seven are named. The [[Lutheran Church]]es and the [[Anglican Communion]] recognize three to five archangels: Michael and Gabriel, as well as Raphael, [[Uriel]] and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]].
The [[Catholic Church]] venerates seven archangels: in [[Latin Church|Latin Christianity]], three are invoked by name ([[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]) while the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] name seven. [[Lutheranism]] and [[Anglicanism]]'s traditions generally recognize four known archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and sometimes Uriel.
Non denominational Protestant churches often venerate only Gabriel and Michael.


In parts of [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Ortiental Orthodox Christianity]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]], '''Eight Archangels''' may be honoured, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, as well as [[Selaphiel|Salathiel]], [[Jegudiel]], [[Barachiel]] and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jeremiel]] (in the Coptic tradition the latter four are named as [[Sariel|Surael]], [[Sachiel|Sakakael]], [[Sarathiel|Sarathael]] and [[Ananiel|Ananael]]).<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/> The Eight Archangels are commemorated on the [[Michaelmas|Feast of the Archangels]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Macedonian Review, Volumes 24-25 |date=1994 |publisher=Kulturen Zhivot |page=194 |language=en |quote=It is worth mentioning that St Michael's Day (21/8 November) is the feast of the seven/eight Archangels and the hosts of Holy Angels, who, as have been mentioned, are numberless}}</ref>
In parts of [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox Christianity]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]], '''Eight Archangels''' may be honoured, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, as well as [[Selaphiel|Salathiel]], [[Jegudiel]], [[Barachiel]], and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jeremiel]] (in the Coptic tradition, the latter four are named as [[Sariel|Surael]], [[Sachiel|Sakakael]], [[Sarathiel|Sarathael]], and [[Ananiel|Ananael]]).<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/> The Eight Archangels are commemorated on the [[Michaelmas|Feast of the Archangels]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Macedonian Review |date=1994 |publisher=Kulturen Zhivot |volume=24–25 |page=194 |language=en |quote=It is worth mentioning that St Michael's Day (21/8 November) is the feast of the seven/eight Archangels and the hosts of Holy Angels, who, as have been mentioned, are numberless}}</ref>


==Bible==
==Bible==
The term ''[[archangel]]'' itself is not found in the [[Hebrew Bible]] or the Christian [[Old Testament]], and in the Greek [[New Testament]] the term ''archangel'' only occurs in [[1 Thessalonians 4]] ({{bibleverse|1 Thessalonians|4:16|NKJV}}) and the [[Epistle of Jude]] ({{bibleverse|Jude|1:9|NKJV}}), where it is used of [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], who in [[Daniel 10]] ({{bibleverse|Daniel|10:12|NKJV}}) is called 'one of the chief princes,' and 'the [[great prince]]'. In the [[Septuagint]], this is rendered "the great angel."<ref>[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]] (2004). ''An Extraordinary Gathering of Demons.'' Publications Ltd.</ref>
The term ''[[archangel]]'' itself is not found in the [[Hebrew Bible]] or the Christian [[Old Testament]], and in the Greek [[New Testament]] the term ''archangel'' only occurs in [[1 Thessalonians 4]] ({{bibleverse|1 Thessalonians|4:16|NKJV}}) and the [[Epistle of Jude]] ({{bibleverse|Jude|1:9|NKJV}}), where it is used of [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], who in [[Daniel 10]] ({{bibleverse|Daniel|10:12|NKJV}}) is called 'one of the chief princes,' and 'the [[great prince]]'. In the [[Septuagint]], this is rendered "the great angel."<ref>[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]] (2004). ''An Extraordinary Gathering of Demons.'' Publications Limited.</ref>


The idea of seven archangels is most explicitly stated in the [[deuterocanonical]]/[[Biblical apocrypha|apocryphal]] [[Book of Tobit]] when [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] reveals himself, declaring: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him." ({{bibleverse|Tobit|12,15|NKJV}}) The other two angels mentioned by name in the Bibles used by Catholics and Protestants are the archangel [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and the angel [[Gabriel]]; [[Uriel]] is named in 2 Esdras (4:1 and 5:20) and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]] is named in 2 Esdras 4:36, a book that is regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and falls within the Apocrypha section of the Protestant Bible used by Lutherans and Anglicans. The names of other archangels come from tradition.
The idea of seven archangels is most explicitly stated in the [[deuterocanonical]]/[[Biblical apocrypha|apocryphal]] [[Book of Tobit]] when [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] reveals himself, declaring: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him." ({{bibleverse|Tobit|12,15|NKJV}}) The other two angels mentioned by name in the Bibles used by Catholics and Protestants are the archangel [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and the angel [[Gabriel]]; [[Uriel]] is named in 2 Esdras (4:1 and 5:20) and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]] is named in 2 Esdras 4:36, a book that is regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/wholecounsel/2018/09/26/4-ezra-a-biblical-book-youve-probably-never-read|title=4 Ezra: A Biblical Book You've Probably Never Read|date=26 September 2018 }}</ref> and falls within the Apocrypha section of the Protestant Bible used by Lutherans and Anglicans. The names of other archangels come from tradition.


{{bibleverse|Zechariah|4,10|NKJV}} tells about "seven rejoices" that are "the eyes of the Lord,
{{bibleverse|Zechariah|4,10|NKJV}} tells about "seven rejoices" that are "the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and from throughout the whole earth."<ref name="Alvino">{{cite book|first1=Carmine|last1=Alvino|language=Italian|via=[[Academia.edu]]|url=
https://www.academia.edu/45082895|title=I Sette Arcangeli nel Cattolicesimo|trans-title=The Seven Archangels in the Catholicism|chapter=I Sette Angeli nel Panorama Cattolico (the Seven Angels in the Catholic Context)|format=PDF|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220929140427/https://www.academia.edu/45082895/I_SETTE_ARCANGELI_NEL_CATTOLICESIMO_BELLISSIMO_OPUSCOLO|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Revelation 8]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|8:2|NKJV}}) mentions seven angels ({{langx|grc|ἀγγέλους}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Revelation 8 NKJV (Greek–English Interlinear Bible) |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/8.htm |website=Biblehub}}</ref>) who "stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." Similarly, [[Revelation 16]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|16:1}}) indicates: "and I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels ({{langx|grc|ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Revelation 16 (Greek–English Interlinear Bible) |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/16.htm |website=Biblehub}}</ref>): Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth." Lastly, [[Revelation 4]] and [[Revelation 5]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|4:5}}) mention "seven Spirits" ({{langx|grc| τα ἑπτά Πνεύματα}}, transliterated into "ta hepta [[Pneuma|Pneumata]]" – whose identity is not well specified – who are the "seven lamps of fire [that] were burning before the [[throne of God|throne]]".<ref name="Alvino" />
Which scan to and from throughout the whole earth."<ref name="Alvino">{{cite book|first1=Carmine|last1=Alvino|language=Italian|website=[[Academia.edu]]|url=
https://www.academia.edu/45082895/I_SETTE_ARCANGELI_NEL_CATTOLICESIMO_BELLISSIMO_OPUSCOLO|title=I Sette Arcangeli nel Cattolicesimo|trans-title=The Seven Archangels in the Catholicism|chapter=I Sette Angeli nel Panorama Cattolico (the Seven Angels in the Catholic Context)|format=PDF|archive-url=https://archive.ph/EWnD0|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Revelation 8]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|8,2|NKJV}}) mentions seven angels ({{lang-grc|ἀγγέλους}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/8.htm|title=Revelation 8 NKJV (Greek-English Interlinear Bible)|website=Biblehub}}</ref>)
who "stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." Similarly, [[Revelation 16]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|16,1}}) indicates: "and I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels ({{lang-grc|ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/16.htm|title=Revelation 16 (Greek-English Interlinear Bible|website=Biblehub}}</ref>): Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth." Lastly, [[Revelation 4]] and [[Revelation 5]] ({{bibleverse|Revelation|4,5}}) mention "seven Spirits" ({{lang-grc|Πνεύματα}}
, ta hepta [[Pneuma|Pneumata]], with the capital letter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/4.htm|title=Revelation 4,5 NKJV (Greek-English Interlinear Bible)|website=Biblehub}})</ref>) -whose identity is not well specified- who are the "seven lamps of fire [that] were burning before the [[throne of God|throne]]".<ref name="Alvino" />


==Biblical apocrypha ==
==1 Enoch==
One such tradition of archangels comes from the Old Testament [[biblical apocrypha]], the third century BCE [[Book of Enoch|Book of the Watchers]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nickelsburg|first1=George W. E.|title=1 Enoch 1 : A Commentary on the Book of 1 Enoch, Chapters 1-36; 81-108|date=2001|publisher=Fortress|location=Minneapolis|pages=7|url=https://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/Lesses.pdf}}</ref> known as [[1 Enoch]] or the ''Book of Enoch,'' eventually merged into the Enochic Pentateuch.<ref name="Enoch Man">{{cite book|last1=VanderKam|first1=James C.|title=Enoch: A Man for All Generations|date=2008|orig-year=1995|publisher=[[University of South Carolina Press]]. |location=Columbia|isbn=978-1570037962|url=https://www.sc.edu/uscpress/books/2008/3796.html}} See also the author's ''Enoch and the Growth of an Apocalyptic Tradition'' (1984), published by the [[Catholic Biblical Association of America]]: Washington, DC</ref><ref>Barker, Margaret. (2005) [1987]. "Chapter 1: The Book of Enoch," in ''The Older Testament: The Survival of Themes from the Ancient Royal Cult in Sectarian Judaism and Early Christianity''. London: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press.</ref> This narrative is affiliated with the ''[[Book of Giants]]'', which also references the great archangels<ref>[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]]. (2005) [1998]. ''The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity''. London: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press. {{ISBN|1-905048-18-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1= Nibley|first= Hugh|author-link=Hugh Nibley|title=Enoch the Prophet|date=1986|publisher=Deseret Book|location=Salt Lake City, UT|isbn=978-0875790473|url=https://publications.mi.byu.edu/book/enoch-the-prophet/}}</ref> and was made part of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]'s [[Orthodox Tewahedo biblical canon|scriptural canon]]. Although prevalent in Jewish and early Christian apostolic traditions and the early [[Church Fathers|Christian Fathers]], the ''Book of Enoch'' gradually fell from academic and religious status, and by the seventh century was rejected from the [[Biblical canon|canonical scriptures]] of all other Christian denominations. The various surviving oral traditions recounted many differing lists of archangels. {{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
One such tradition of archangels comes from the Old Testament [[biblical apocrypha]], the third century BCE [[Book of Enoch|Book of the Watchers]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nickelsburg |first1=George W. E. |url=https://sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/Lesses.pdf |title=1 Enoch 1: A Commentary on the Book of 1 Enoch |date=2001 |publisher=Fortress |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |pages=7 |language=en-us |chapter=Chapters 1–36; 81–108}}</ref> known as [[1 Enoch]] or the ''Book of Enoch,'' eventually merged into the Enochic Pentateuch.<ref name="Enoch Man">{{cite book |last1=VanderKam |first1=James C. |url=https://uscpress.com/Enoch |title=Enoch: A Man for All Generations |date=2008 |publisher=[[University of South Carolina Press]]. |isbn=978-1570037962 |location=Columbia, South Carolina |language=en-us |orig-year=1995}} See also the author's ''Enoch and the Growth of an Apocalyptic Tradition'' (1984), published by the [[Catholic Biblical Association of America]]: Washington, DC</ref><ref>Barker, Margaret. (2005) [1987]. "Chapter 1: The Book of Enoch," in ''The Older Testament: The Survival of Themes from the Ancient Royal Cult in Sectarian Judaism and Early Christianity''. London, England: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press.</ref> This narrative is affiliated with the ''[[Book of Giants]]'', which also references the great archangels<ref>[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]]. (2005) [1998]. ''The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity''. London, England: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press. {{ISBN|1-905048-18-1}}.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Nibley |first1=Hugh |url=https://publications.mi.byu.edu/book/enoch-the-prophet |title=Enoch the Prophet |date=1986 |publisher=Deseret Book |isbn=978-0875790473 |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |language=en-us |author-link=Hugh Nibley}}</ref> and was made part of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]'s [[Orthodox Tewahedo biblical canon|scriptural canon]]. Although prevalent in Jewish and early Christian apostolic traditions and the early [[Church Fathers]], the ''Book of Enoch'' gradually fell from academic and religious status, and by the seventh century was rejected from the [[Biblical canon|canonical scriptures]] of all other Christian denominations.


The names entered Jewish tradition during the [[Babylonian captivity]] (605 BCE). [[Neo-Babylonian Empire|Babylonian]] folklore and cosmology,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Encyclopedia|first1=Jewish|title=ANGELOLOGY - Angelology systematized|url=http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1521-angelology#anchor16|website=Jewish Encyclopedia}}</ref> and [[Ancient Mesopotamian religion|early Mesopotamian beliefs]] under the dualistic influence of [[Zoroastrianism]], centered around [[anthropomorphic]] and [[zoomorphic]] representations of [[Anunnaki|stars, planets]], and [[Babylonian star catalogues|constellations]], including the four sons of the [[Anu|Sky Father]] carrying the [[Winged Sun]], the throne of [[Ahura Mazda|Wisdom]]. First the prophet [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]], then authors such as Ezekiel hebraized this mythology, equating the Babylonian constellations with [[Living creatures (Bible)|abstract forms]] held to be "sons of the gods", angels of the Lord of Israel, and heavenly animal [[cherubim]]. The 2 BC [[1 Enoch|Book of the Parables]] (Ch XL) names the four angels accompanying the [[Ancient of Days]], standing before the Lord of Spirits, "the voices of those upon the four sides magnifying the Lord of Glory": Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and [[Phanuel (angel)|Phanuel]].
The names of the archangels entered Jewish tradition during the [[Babylonian captivity]] (605 BCE). [[Neo-Babylonian Empire|Babylonian]] folklore and cosmology,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Encyclopedia |first1=Jewish |title=ANGELOLOGY Angelology systematized |url=https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1521-angelology#anchor16 |website=Jewish Encyclopedia}}</ref> and [[Ancient Mesopotamian religion|early Mesopotamian beliefs]] under the dualistic influence of [[Zoroastrianism]], centered around [[anthropomorphic]] and [[zoomorphic]] representations of [[Anunnaki|stars, planets]], and [[Babylonian star catalogues|constellations]], including the four sons of the [[Anu|Sky Father]] carrying the [[Winged Sun]], the throne of [[Ahura Mazda|Wisdom]]. First the prophet [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]], then authors such as Ezekiel hebraized this mythology, equating the Babylonian constellations with [[Living creatures (Bible)|abstract forms]] held to be "sons of the gods", angels of the Lord of Israel, and heavenly animal [[cherubim]]. The 2 BC [[1 Enoch#Book of Parables|Book of Parables]] (Ch XL) names the four angels accompanying the [[Ancient of Days]], standing before the Lord of Spirits, "the voices of those upon the four sides magnifying the Lord of Glory": Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and [[Phanuel (angel)|Phanuel]].


The [[Book of the Watchers]] (Ch IX) lists the angels who in [[antediluvian]] times interceded on behalf of mankind against the rogue spirits termed "the [[Watcher (angel)|Watchers]]": Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and [[Uriel]].
The Book of the Watchers (Ch IX) lists the angels who in [[antediluvian]] times interceded on behalf of mankind against the rogue spirits termed "the [[Watcher (angel)|Watchers]]": Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and [[Uriel]].


==Christian traditions==
==Christian traditions==
[[File:Seven Archangels (St Michael's, Brighton).jpg|thumb|330px|Seven Archangels as given by Pseudo-Dionysius depicted in the [[stained glass]] window at [[St Michael's Church, Brighton]]. From left: [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], [[Uriel]], [[Camael|Chamuel]] (Camael), [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Jophiel]], and [[Zadkiel]].]]
[[File:Seven Archangels (St Michael's, Brighton).jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Seven Archangels depicted in the [[stained glass]] window at [[St Michael's Church, Brighton]]. From left: [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], [[Uriel]], [[Camael|Chamuel]] (Camael), [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Jophiel]], and [[Zadkiel]].]]
The earliest specific Christian references are in the late 5th to early 6th century: [[Pseudo-Dionysius]] gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, [[Camael]], [[Jophiel]], and [[Zadkiel]].<ref>''A Dictionary of Angels, Including the Fallen Angels'' by Gustav Davidson, 1980, Free Press Publishing</ref> In the Lutheran and Roman-Rite Catholic Christian traditions, [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]] and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] are referred to as archangels.<ref name="Blersch2019">{{cite web |last1=Blersch |first1=Jeffrey |title=St. Michael and All Angels |url=https://www.pacifichillslutheran.org/news/st-michael-and-all-angels.html |publisher=Pacific Hills Lutheran Church |access-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201093647/https://www.pacifichillslutheran.org/news/st-michael-and-all-angels.html |archive-date=1 February 2023 |language=English |date=21 September 2019}}</ref> Through its Byzantine tradition, however, the Catholic Church recognizes seven archangels altogether, sometimes named, sometimes unnamed other than the three mentioned above. The most mainstream [[Muslim]] view affirms Michael and Gabriel.
The earliest specific Christian references are in the late 5th to early 6th century: [[Pseudo-Dionysius]] gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, [[Camael]], [[Jophiel]], and [[Zadkiel]].<ref>''A Dictionary of Angels, Including the Fallen Angels'' by Gustav Davidson, 1980, Free Press Publishing.</ref> In [[Western Christianity|Western Christian]] traditions, [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]] and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] are referred to as archangels.<ref name="Blersch2019">{{cite web |last1=Blersch |first1=Jeffrey |title=St. Michael and All Angels |url=https://pacifichillslutheran.org/news/st-michael-and-all-angels.html |publisher=Pacific Hills Lutheran Church |access-date=2024-11-15 |language=English |date=21 September 2019}}</ref> Through its Byzantine tradition, however, the Catholic Church recognizes seven archangels altogether, sometimes named, sometimes unnamed other than the three mentioned above.


Lists of characters referred to as "angels" also exist in smaller religious traditions usually regarded as [[occult]]ist or [[Superstition|superstitious]]. A reference to seven archangels appeared in an 8th or 9th-century [[talisman]] attributed to Auriolus, a "servant of God" in north-western Spain. He issues a prayer to "all you patriarchs Michael, Gabriel, Cecitiel, Uriel, Raphael, [[Haniel|Ananiel]], Marmoniel.<ref>Julia M.H. Smith, Europe After Rome: A New Cultural History 500-1000. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Page 77</ref>
Lists of characters referred to as "angels" also exist in smaller religious traditions usually regarded as [[occult]]ist or [[Superstition|superstitious]]. A reference to seven archangels appeared in an 8th- or 9th-century [[talisman]] attributed to Auriolus, a "servant of God" in north-western Spain. He issues a prayer to "all you patriarchs Michael, Gabriel, Cecitiel, Uriel, Raphael, [[Haniel|Ananiel]], Marmoniel.<ref>Julia M. H. Smith, Europe After Rome: A New Cultural History 500–1000. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2005. p. 77.</ref>


===Archangels in current church traditions===
===Archangels in current church traditions===
[[File:The Four Archangels, Holy Trinity Church, Kingston upon Hull.jpg|thumb|330px|The four archangels in Anglican tradition, from left to right: [[Gabriel]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]], and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]. Stained glass window at [[Hull Minster]].]]
[[File:The Four Archangels, Holy Trinity Church, Kingston upon Hull.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The four archangels in Anglican tradition, from left to right: [[Gabriel]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]], and [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]. Stained glass window at [[Hull Minster]].]]
[[File:Archangel Jeremiel, St Michael and All Angels, Hughenden.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Archangel Jeremiel]] holding a book, depicted in a stained-glass window at [[St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden|St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Hughenden]]]]
[[File:Archangel Jeremiel, St Michael and All Angels, Hughenden.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Archangel Jeremiel]] holding a book, depicted in a stained-glass window at [[St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden|St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Hughenden]]]]
In the [[Catholic Church]], three archangels are mentioned by name in [[Catholic Bible|its Biblical canon]]: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Raphael appears in the [[Deuterocanonical Books|deuterocanonical]] [[Book of Tobit]], where he is described as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the lord of spirits",<ref>{{bibleverse||Tobit|12:15}}</ref> a phrase recalled in {{bibleref2|Revelation|8:2–6|ESV}}. Three Popes rejected to authorize veneration ''of the purported names'' of the Seven Archangels within the Roman Catholic Church: [[Pope Leo XII]] (1826–1828),<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfEGjz9UfdE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929181645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfEGjz9UfdE |archive-date=2022-09-29 |author=Carmine Alvino|language=Italian|title=La prima causa del 1826 innanzi a Leone XII per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli}}</ref> [[Pope Pius VIII]] (1830) and [[Pope Gregory XVI]] (1831-1832).<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FtXLVRFIOs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929180818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FtXLVRFIOs |archive-date=2022-09-29 |title=La quarta causa del 1831 innanzi a Gregorio XVI per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli|language=Italian|author=Carmine Alvino}}</ref> The ''Directory on popular piety'' and the Liturgy (2001) at n. 217 states that "the practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the case of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter%20Six|title=The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy - Principles and Guidelines|year=2002|website=Holy See}}</ref>
In the [[Catholic Church]], three archangels are mentioned by name in [[Catholic Bible|its Biblical canon]]: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Raphael appears in the [[Deuterocanonical Books|deuterocanonical]] [[Book of Tobit]], where he is described as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the lord of spirits",<ref>{{bibleverse||Tobit|12:15}}.</ref> a phrase recalled in {{bibleref2|Revelation|8:2–6|ESV}}. Three Popes rejected to authorize veneration ''of the purported names'' of the Seven Archangels within the Roman Catholic Church: [[Pope Leo XII]] (1826–1828),<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfEGjz9UfdE |title=La prima causa del 1826 innanzi a Leone XII per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli |author=Alvino |first=Carmine |language=It |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929181645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfEGjz9UfdE |archive-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> [[Pope Pius VIII]] (1830) and [[Pope Gregory XVI]] (1831–1832).<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FtXLVRFIOs |title=La quarta causa del 1831 innanzi a Gregorio XVI per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli |author=Alvino |first=Carmine |language=It |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929180818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FtXLVRFIOs |archive-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> The ''Directory on popular piety'' and the Liturgy (2001) at n. 217 states that "the practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the case of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture."<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=The 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 |website=Holy See}}</ref>


Some [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Churches]], exemplified in the Orthodox Slavonic Bible ([[Ostrog Bible]], [[Elizabeth Bible]], and later consequently [[Russian Synodal Bible]]), recognize as authoritative also [[2 Esdras]], which mentions Uriel and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]]. 2 Esdras is contained in the [[Biblical apocrypha|Apocrypha section of the Bible]] in both the Lutheran Churches and the Anglican Communion, which is the reason that Lutherans and Anglicans often name a fourth archangel, Uriel, as well as a fifth archangel Jerahmeel, in addition to Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.<ref name="TLC2023"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Who Is the Archangel Uriel? |url=https://www.christianity.com/wiki/angels-and-demons/who-is-the-archangel-uriel.html |publisher=[[Christianity.com]] |access-date=4 June 2023 |language=English |date=11 January 2021}}</ref>
Some [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Churches]], exemplified in the Orthodox Slavonic Bible ([[Ostrog Bible]], [[Elizabeth Bible]], and later consequently [[Russian Synodal Bible]]), recognize as authoritative also [[2 Esdras]], which mentions Uriel and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]].


The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels.<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/> Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, and the eighth, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel) (The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Feast Day: November 8).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/11/08/103244-synaxis-of-the-archangel-michael-and-the-other-bodiless-powers|title=Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers|website=oca.org|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref>
The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels.<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/> Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, and the eighth, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel) (The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Feast Day: November 8).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2024/11/08/103244-synaxis-of-the-archangel-michael-and-the-other-bodiless-powers|title=Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers|website=www.oca.org|access-date=2024-11-15}}</ref>


As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the [[Book of Enoch]], regarded as canonical by the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]], mentions (in chapter 20) Raguel, Saraqâêl, and [[Jerahmeel|Remiel]];<ref>{{cite web |title=First Enoch - Chapter XX / Chapter 20 - Book of 1 Enoch, Parallel 1912 Charles & 1883 Laurence, Pseudepigrapha Online Parallel Bible Study |url=http://qbible.com/enoch/20.html |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref> however, apocryphal sources give instead the names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm James F. Driscoll, "St. Raphael" in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' (New York 1911)]</ref> Within the [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox Christian]] denominations, the [[Ethiopian Orthodox]] tradition names seven Archangels as [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Uriel]], [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]], [[Phanuel (angel)|Phanuel]], and Remiel;<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church |url=http://www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/Lent/devotion.html |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.ethiopianorthodox.org}}</ref> in the [[Coptic Orthodox]] tradition the seven to eight archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, [[Suriel]], [[Zadkiel]], [[Sarathiel]], and [[Ananiel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/419|title=2. Intercessors :: The Heavenly Orders Doxology :: ذوكصولوجية للسمائيين|website=tasbeha.org|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://st-takla.org/Full-Free-Coptic-Books/FreeCopticBooks-014-Various-Authors/001-Al-Mala2ka/The-Angels__39-Other-Archangels.html|title=رؤساء الملائكة الآخرين - كتاب الملائكة - St-Takla.org|first=Michael Ghaly -|last=Alex|website=st-takla.org|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://st-takla.org/FAQ-Questions-VS-Answers/01-Questions-Related-to-The-Holy-Bible__Al-Ketab-Al-Mokaddas/016-Angels-and-Archangels.html|title=الملائكة.. ما هم، وما هو عدد وأسماء رؤساء الملائكه؟ - St-Takla.org|first=Michael|last=Ghlay|website=st-takla.org|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref> as well as often [[Sachiel|Sakakael]].<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/>
As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the [[Book of Enoch]], regarded as canonical by the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]], mentions (in chapter 20) Raguel, Saraqâêl, and [[Jerahmeel|Remiel]];<ref>{{cite web |title=First Enoch Chapter XX / Chapter 20 Book of 1 Enoch, Parallel 1912 Charles & 1883 Laurence, Pseudepigrapha Online Parallel Bible Study |url=http://qbible.com/enoch/20.html |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref> however, apocryphal sources give instead the names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=James F. |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Raphael the Archangel |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref> Within the [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox Christian]] denominations, the [[Ethiopian Orthodox]] tradition names seven Archangels as [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Uriel]], [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]], [[Phanuel (angel)|Phanuel]], and Remiel;<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church |url=https://ethiopianorthodox.org/english/Lent/devotion.html |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=ethiopianorthodox.org}}</ref> in the [[Coptic Orthodox]] tradition the seven to eight archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, [[Suriel]], [[Zadkiel]], [[Sarathiel]], and [[Ananiel]],<ref>{{cite web |title=2. Intercessors: The Heavenly Orders Doxology: ذوكصولوجية للسمائيين |url=https://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/419 |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=tasbeha.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Alex |first=Michael Ghaly |title=رؤساء الملائكة الآخرين – كتاب الملائكة – St-Takla.org |url=https://st-takla.org/Full-Free-Coptic-Books/FreeCopticBooks-014-Various-Authors/001-Al-Mala2ka/The-Angels__39-Other-Archangels.html |access-date=18 March 2018 |website=st-takla.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ghlay |first=Michael |title=الملائكة.. ما هم، وما هو عدد وأسماء رؤساء الملائكه؟ – St-Takla.org |url=https://st-takla.org/FAQ-Questions-VS-Answers/01-Questions-Related-to-The-Holy-Bible__Al-Ketab-Al-Mokaddas/016-Angels-and-Archangels.html |access-date=18 March 2018 |website=st-takla.org}}</ref> as well as often [[Sachiel|Sakakael]].<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/>


In the [[Lutheran]], as well as the [[Anglican]] and [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopal]] traditions, there are three to five archangels in the [[Calendar of saints|kalendar]] for September 29, the feast of St Michael and All Angels (also called [[Michaelmas]]), namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael,<ref name="Blersch2019"/><ref>[http://www.excitingholiness.org/first-edition/index.cgi?m09/d29.html Oremus.org website]. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref> and often also Uriel and Jerahmeel.<ref name="TLC2023">{{cite web |title=Truss Carvings: Heroes of the Faith |url=https://www.historictrinity.org/our-history/architecture/stone-carvings/ |publisher=Trinity Lutheran Church |access-date=20 May 2023 |language=English}}</ref><ref>[http://www.urielsg.org/Sections-read-7.html Saint Uriel Church website patron Saint web page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930123110/http://www.urielsg.org/sections-read-7.html |date=2015-09-30 }}. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref><ref>Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 380.</ref><ref>[http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/254.html Anglican.org website Michaelmas page]. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.stgeorgeslennoxville.com/WhatareAnglicansAnyway.dsp St. George's Lennoxville website, What Are Anglicans, Anyway? page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926170511/http://www.stgeorgeslennoxville.com/WhatareAnglicansAnyway.dsp |date=2008-09-26 }}. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://christchurcheureka.org/documents/ChronicleSeptember.pdf Christ Church Eureka website, September Feasts page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511234543/http://christchurcheureka.org/documents/ChronicleSeptember.pdf |date=2008-05-11 }}. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref>
In the [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglican]] traditions there are three archangels celebrated in September 29, the feast of St Michael and All Angels (also called [[Michaelmas]]), namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.<ref name="Blersch2019"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exciting Holiness: 29 September |url=https://excitingholiness.org/first-edition/index.cgi?m09/d29.html |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=excitingholiness.org}}</ref> Uriel is not officially recognized or named in Anglican doctrine, though some still include him; one Episcopal church, [[St. Uriel's Episcopal Church|St. Uriel’s Episcopal Church]], bears his name.<ref name="TLC2023">{{cite web |title=Truss Carvings: Heroes of the Faith |url=https://www.historictrinity.org/our-history/architecture/stone-carvings |publisher=Trinity Lutheran Church |access-date=20 May 2023 |language=English}}</ref><ref>[http://www.urielsg.org/Sections-read-7.html Saint Uriel Church website patron Saint web page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904152009/http://www.urielsg.org/Sections-read-7.html |date=2013-09-04 }}. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref><ref>Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 380.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael and All Angels |url=http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/254.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=justus.anglican.org}}</ref><ref>[http://www.stgeorgeslennoxville.com/WhatareAnglicansAnyway.dsp St. George's Lennoxville website, What Are Anglicans, Anyway? page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712151424/http://www.stgeorgeslennoxville.com/WhatareAnglicansAnyway.dsp |date=2009-07-12 }}. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref>


== Other traditions ==
== Other traditions ==
Other names derived from [[pseudepigrapha]] are [[Selaphiel]], [[Jegudiel]], and [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]].
Other names derived from [[pseudepigrapha]] are [[Selaphiel]], [[Jegudiel]], and [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]].


In [[Ismailism]], there are seven cherubim, comparable to the Seven Archangels ordered to bow down before [[Qadar]], of whom [[Iblis]] refuses.<ref>Ian Richard Netton ''Allah Transcendent: Studies in the Structure and Semiotics of Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Cosmology'' Psychology Press, 1994 {{ISBN|9780700702879}} p. 205</ref>
In [[Ismailism]], there are seven cherubim, comparable to the Seven Archangels ordered to bow down before [[Qadar]], of whom [[Iblis]] refuses.<ref>Ian Richard Netton, ''Allah Transcendent: Studies in the Structure and Semiotics of Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Cosmology'' Psychology Press, 1994 {{ISBN|9780700702879}}, p. 205.</ref>


In [[Yazidism]], there are seven archangels, named [[Gabriel|Jabra'il]], [[Michael (archangel)|Mika'il]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Rafa'il]] ([[Israfil]]), Dadra'il, [[Azrail]], Shamkil (Shemna'il), and [[Azazil#In Yazidism|Azazil]], who are emanations from God entrusted with care of the creation.<ref>Adam Valen Levinson ''The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah: Fear and Love in the Modern Middle East'' W. W. Norton & Company 2017 {{ISBN|978-0-393-60837-3}}</ref>
In [[Yazidism]], there are seven archangels, named [[Gabriel|Jabra'il]], [[Michael (archangel)|Mika'il]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Rafa'il]] ([[Israfil]]), Dadra'il, [[Azrail]], Shamkil (Shemna'il), and [[Azazil#In Yazidism|Azazil]], who are emanations from God entrusted with care of the creation.<ref>Adam Valen Levinson, ''The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah: Fear and Love in the Modern Middle East,'' W. W. Norton & Company, 2017, {{ISBN|978-0-393-60837-3}}.</ref>


Various occult systems associate each archangel with one of the traditional "seven luminaries" ([[classical planets]] visible to the naked eye): the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]], [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], [[Venus]], [[Mars]], [[Jupiter]], and [[Saturn]];<ref>''Morals and Dogma (of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry)'' by Albert Pike (1871, 1948, L. H. Jenkins)</ref> but there is disagreement as to which archangel corresponds to which body.
Various occult systems associate each archangel with one of the traditional "seven luminaries" ([[classical planets]] visible to the naked eye): the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]], [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], [[Venus]], [[Mars]], [[Jupiter]], and [[Saturn]];<ref>Pike, Albert. ''Morals and Dogma (of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry),'' (1871, 1948, L. H. Jenkins).</ref> but there is disagreement as to which archangel corresponds to which body.


According to [[Rudolf Steiner]], four archangels govern the seasons: [[Spring (season)|spring]] is Raphael, [[summer]] is Uriel, [[autumn]] is Michael, and [[winter]] is Gabriel.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=15XABtvHcEsC&dq=raphael+michael+gabriel+uriel+spring+summer+winter&pg=PA45 The encyclopedia of angels, p.45], by Rosemary Guiley, Infobase Publishing, 2004.</ref>
According to [[Rudolf Steiner]], four archangels govern the seasons: [[Spring (season)|spring]] is Raphael, [[summer]] is Uriel, [[autumn]] is Michael, and [[winter]] is Gabriel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Guiley |first=Rosemary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15XABtvHcEsC&dq=raphael+michael+gabriel+uriel+spring+summer+winter&pg=PA45 |title=The Encyclopedia of Angels |date=2004 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-1-4381-3002-6 |pages=45 |language=en}}</ref>


According to occultist [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], the Seven Archangels were a form of [[syncretism]] between different religions: they were the [[Chaldea|Chaldeans]] great gods, the Seven [[Sabians|Sabian]] Gods, the seven Hinduist [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manus]] and [[Saptarishi|Seven Rashi]], as well as the Seven Seats (Thrones) and Virtues of the [[Kabbalism|Kabbalists]].<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hGkiEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|page=9|title=Worship of Planetary Spirits is idolatrous Astrolatry: Divine Astrology is for Initiates; superstitious Astrolatry for the masses.|publisher=Philaletheians UK|date= May 10, 2021}}</ref>
According to occultist [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], the Seven Archangels were a form of [[syncretism]] between different religions: they were the [[Chaldea|Chaldeans]] great gods, the Seven [[Sabians|Sabian]] Gods, the seven Hinduist [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manus]] and [[Saptarishi|Seven Rashi]], as well as the Seven Seats (Thrones) and Virtues of the [[Kabbalism|Kabbalists]].<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hGkiEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|page=9|title=Worship of Planetary Spirits is idolatrous Astrolatry: Divine Astrology is for Initiates; superstitious Astrolatry for the masses.|publisher=Philaletheians UK|date= May 10, 2021}}</ref>
Line 61: Line 59:


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Angels of the Presence]]
* [[Chakra]]
* [[Classical planet]]
* [[List of angels in theology]]
* [[List of angels in theology]]
* [[List of Mesopotamian deities#Seven planetary deities]]
* [[Seven churches of Asia]]
* [[Seven Factors of Awakening]]


==References==
==References==
Line 74: Line 66:
== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
*[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]] (2004). ''An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels''. M Q Publications. {{ISBN|9781840726800}}
*[[Margaret Barker|Barker, Margaret]] (2004). ''An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels''. M Q Publications. {{ISBN|9781840726800}}
*Barker, Margaret (1992). ''The Great Angel: A Study of Israel's Second God''. London: SPCK; Louisville, KY: [[Westminster John Knox|Westminster/John Knox Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0664253950}}
*Barker, Margaret (1992). ''The Great Angel: A Study of Israel's Second God''. London: SPCK; Louisville, Kentucky: [[Westminster John Knox|Westminster/John Knox Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0664253950}}
*Barker, Margaret (2005) [1998]. ''[https://www.sheffieldphoenix.com/showbook.asp?bkid=22 The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity]''. London: [[SPCK]]; [[Sheffield Phoenix Press]]. {{ISBN|1-905048-18-1}}
*Barker, Margaret (2005) [1998]. ''[https://sheffieldphoenix.com/product/the-lost-prophet-the-book-of-enoch-and-its-influence-on-christianity The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity]''. London, England: [[SPCK]]; [[Sheffield Phoenix Press]]. {{ISBN|1-905048-18-1}}
*[[Hugh Nibley|Nibley, Hugh]] (1986). ''[https://publications.mi.byu.edu/book/enoch-the-prophet/ Enoch the Prophet]''. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book. {{ISBN|978-0875790473}}
*[[Hugh Nibley|Nibley, Hugh]] (1986). ''[https://publications.mi.byu.edu/book/enoch-the-prophet Enoch the Prophet]''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book. {{ISBN|978-0875790473}}


{{Coptic saints}}
{{Coptic saints}}
{{Angels in Abrahamic religions}}
{{Angels in Abrahamic religions}}


[[Category:Septets]]
[[Category:Septets in religion]]
[[Category:Archangels]]
[[Category:Archangels]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]

Latest revision as of 07:10, 15 November 2024

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael (Собор Архистратига Михаила). An Eastern Orthodox Church icon of the "Seven Archangels." From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל), Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Barachiel. Beneath the mandorla of Christ Emmanuel are representations of Cherubim (in blue) and Seraphim (in red).

The concept of Seven Archangels is found in some works of early Jewish literature and in Christianity.[1] In those texts, they are referenced as the angels who serve God directly.

The Catholic Church venerates seven archangels: in Latin Christianity, three are invoked by name (Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael) while the Eastern Catholic Churches name seven. Lutheranism and Anglicanism's traditions generally recognize four known archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and sometimes Uriel. Non denominational Protestant churches often venerate only Gabriel and Michael.

In parts of Oriental Orthodox Christianity and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Eight Archangels may be honoured, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, as well as Salathiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel (in the Coptic tradition, the latter four are named as Surael, Sakakael, Sarathael, and Ananael).[1] The Eight Archangels are commemorated on the Feast of the Archangels.[2]

Bible

[edit]

The term archangel itself is not found in the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament, and in the Greek New Testament the term archangel only occurs in 1 Thessalonians 4 (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and the Epistle of Jude (Jude 1:9), where it is used of Michael, who in Daniel 10 (Daniel 10:12) is called 'one of the chief princes,' and 'the great prince'. In the Septuagint, this is rendered "the great angel."[3]

The idea of seven archangels is most explicitly stated in the deuterocanonical/apocryphal Book of Tobit when Raphael reveals himself, declaring: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him." (Tobit 12,15) The other two angels mentioned by name in the Bibles used by Catholics and Protestants are the archangel Michael and the angel Gabriel; Uriel is named in 2 Esdras (4:1 and 5:20) and Jerahmeel is named in 2 Esdras 4:36, a book that is regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches,[4] and falls within the Apocrypha section of the Protestant Bible used by Lutherans and Anglicans. The names of other archangels come from tradition.

Zechariah 4,10 tells about "seven rejoices" that are "the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and from throughout the whole earth."[5] Revelation 8 (Revelation 8:2) mentions seven angels (Ancient Greek: ἀγγέλους[6]) who "stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." Similarly, Revelation 16 (Revelation 16:1) indicates: "and I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels (Ancient Greek: ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις[7]): Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth." Lastly, Revelation 4 and Revelation 5 (Revelation 4:5) mention "seven Spirits" (Ancient Greek: τα ἑπτά Πνεύματα, transliterated into "ta hepta Pneumata" – whose identity is not well specified – who are the "seven lamps of fire [that] were burning before the throne".[5]

Biblical apocrypha

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One such tradition of archangels comes from the Old Testament biblical apocrypha, the third century BCE Book of the Watchers,[8] known as 1 Enoch or the Book of Enoch, eventually merged into the Enochic Pentateuch.[9][10] This narrative is affiliated with the Book of Giants, which also references the great archangels[11][12] and was made part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's scriptural canon. Although prevalent in Jewish and early Christian apostolic traditions and the early Church Fathers, the Book of Enoch gradually fell from academic and religious status, and by the seventh century was rejected from the canonical scriptures of all other Christian denominations.

The names of the archangels entered Jewish tradition during the Babylonian captivity (605 BCE). Babylonian folklore and cosmology,[13] and early Mesopotamian beliefs under the dualistic influence of Zoroastrianism, centered around anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations of stars, planets, and constellations, including the four sons of the Sky Father carrying the Winged Sun, the throne of Wisdom. First the prophet Daniel, then authors such as Ezekiel hebraized this mythology, equating the Babylonian constellations with abstract forms held to be "sons of the gods", angels of the Lord of Israel, and heavenly animal cherubim. The 2 BC Book of Parables (Ch XL) names the four angels accompanying the Ancient of Days, standing before the Lord of Spirits, "the voices of those upon the four sides magnifying the Lord of Glory": Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Phanuel.

The Book of the Watchers (Ch IX) lists the angels who in antediluvian times interceded on behalf of mankind against the rogue spirits termed "the Watchers": Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel.

Christian traditions

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Seven Archangels depicted in the stained glass window at St Michael's Church, Brighton. From left: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Chamuel (Camael), Raphael, Jophiel, and Zadkiel.

The earliest specific Christian references are in the late 5th to early 6th century: Pseudo-Dionysius gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Camael, Jophiel, and Zadkiel.[14] In Western Christian traditions, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are referred to as archangels.[15] Through its Byzantine tradition, however, the Catholic Church recognizes seven archangels altogether, sometimes named, sometimes unnamed other than the three mentioned above.

Lists of characters referred to as "angels" also exist in smaller religious traditions usually regarded as occultist or superstitious. A reference to seven archangels appeared in an 8th- or 9th-century talisman attributed to Auriolus, a "servant of God" in north-western Spain. He issues a prayer to "all you patriarchs Michael, Gabriel, Cecitiel, Uriel, Raphael, Ananiel, Marmoniel.[16]

Archangels in current church traditions

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The four archangels in Anglican tradition, from left to right: Gabriel, Michael, Uriel, and Raphael. Stained glass window at Hull Minster.
The Archangel Jeremiel holding a book, depicted in a stained-glass window at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Hughenden

In the Catholic Church, three archangels are mentioned by name in its Biblical canon: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Raphael appears in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, where he is described as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the lord of spirits",[17] a phrase recalled in Revelation 8:2–6. Three Popes rejected to authorize veneration of the purported names of the Seven Archangels within the Roman Catholic Church: Pope Leo XII (1826–1828),[18] Pope Pius VIII (1830) and Pope Gregory XVI (1831–1832).[19] The Directory on popular piety and the Liturgy (2001) at n. 217 states that "the practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the case of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture."[20]

Some Eastern Orthodox Churches, exemplified in the Orthodox Slavonic Bible (Ostrog Bible, Elizabeth Bible, and later consequently Russian Synodal Bible), recognize as authoritative also 2 Esdras, which mentions Uriel and Jerahmeel.

The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition venerate seven to eight archangels.[1] Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel (Salathiel), Jegudiel (Jehudiel), Barachiel, and the eighth, Jerahmeel (Jeremiel) (The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Feast Day: November 8).[21]

As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the Book of Enoch, regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, mentions (in chapter 20) Raguel, Saraqâêl, and Remiel;[22] however, apocryphal sources give instead the names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel.[23] Within the Oriental Orthodox Christian denominations, the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition names seven Archangels as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Phanuel, and Remiel;[24] in the Coptic Orthodox tradition the seven to eight archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Zadkiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel,[25][26][27] as well as often Sakakael.[1]

In the Lutheran and Anglican traditions there are three archangels celebrated in September 29, the feast of St Michael and All Angels (also called Michaelmas), namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.[15][28] Uriel is not officially recognized or named in Anglican doctrine, though some still include him; one Episcopal church, St. Uriel’s Episcopal Church, bears his name.[29][30][31][32][33]

Other traditions

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Other names derived from pseudepigrapha are Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Raguel.

In Ismailism, there are seven cherubim, comparable to the Seven Archangels ordered to bow down before Qadar, of whom Iblis refuses.[34]

In Yazidism, there are seven archangels, named Jabra'il, Mika'il, Rafa'il (Israfil), Dadra'il, Azrail, Shamkil (Shemna'il), and Azazil, who are emanations from God entrusted with care of the creation.[35]

Various occult systems associate each archangel with one of the traditional "seven luminaries" (classical planets visible to the naked eye): the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn;[36] but there is disagreement as to which archangel corresponds to which body.

According to Rudolf Steiner, four archangels govern the seasons: spring is Raphael, summer is Uriel, autumn is Michael, and winter is Gabriel.[37]

According to occultist Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the Seven Archangels were a form of syncretism between different religions: they were the Chaldeans great gods, the Seven Sabian Gods, the seven Hinduist Manus and Seven Rashi, as well as the Seven Seats (Thrones) and Virtues of the Kabbalists.[38]

In the early Gnostic text On the Origin of the World, the aeon named Sophia sends seven archangels to rescue the Archon Sabaoth and bring him to the eighth heaven.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Parry, Ken; Melling, David J.; Brady, Dimitri; Griffith, Sidney H.; Healey, John F. (8 November 2000). The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity. John Wiley & Sons. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-631-18966-4.
  2. ^ Macedonian Review. Vol. 24–25. Kulturen Zhivot. 1994. p. 194. It is worth mentioning that St Michael's Day (21/8 November) is the feast of the seven/eight Archangels and the hosts of Holy Angels, who, as have been mentioned, are numberless
  3. ^ Barker, Margaret (2004). An Extraordinary Gathering of Demons. Publications Limited.
  4. ^ "4 Ezra: A Biblical Book You've Probably Never Read". 26 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b Alvino, Carmine. "I Sette Angeli nel Panorama Cattolico (the Seven Angels in the Catholic Context)". I Sette Arcangeli nel Cattolicesimo [The Seven Archangels in the Catholicism] (PDF) (in Italian). Archived from the original on September 29, 2022 – via Academia.edu.
  6. ^ "Revelation 8 NKJV (Greek–English Interlinear Bible)". Biblehub.
  7. ^ "Revelation 16 (Greek–English Interlinear Bible)". Biblehub.
  8. ^ Nickelsburg, George W. E. (2001). "Chapters 1–36; 81–108". 1 Enoch 1: A Commentary on the Book of 1 Enoch (PDF). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress. p. 7.
  9. ^ VanderKam, James C. (2008) [1995]. Enoch: A Man for All Generations. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1570037962. See also the author's Enoch and the Growth of an Apocalyptic Tradition (1984), published by the Catholic Biblical Association of America: Washington, DC
  10. ^ Barker, Margaret. (2005) [1987]. "Chapter 1: The Book of Enoch," in The Older Testament: The Survival of Themes from the Ancient Royal Cult in Sectarian Judaism and Early Christianity. London, England: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press.
  11. ^ Barker, Margaret. (2005) [1998]. The Lost Prophet: The Book of Enoch and Its Influence on Christianity. London, England: SPCK; Sheffield Phoenix Press. ISBN 1-905048-18-1.
  12. ^ Nibley, Hugh (1986). Enoch the Prophet. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book. ISBN 978-0875790473.
  13. ^ Encyclopedia, Jewish. "ANGELOLOGY – Angelology systematized". Jewish Encyclopedia.
  14. ^ A Dictionary of Angels, Including the Fallen Angels by Gustav Davidson, 1980, Free Press Publishing.
  15. ^ a b Blersch, Jeffrey (21 September 2019). "St. Michael and All Angels". Pacific Hills Lutheran Church. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  16. ^ Julia M. H. Smith, Europe After Rome: A New Cultural History 500–1000. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2005. p. 77.
  17. ^ Tobit 12:15.
  18. ^ Alvino, Carmine. La prima causa del 1826 innanzi a Leone XII per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2022-09-29.
  19. ^ Alvino, Carmine. La quarta causa del 1831 innanzi a Gregorio XVI per l'approvazione del culto dei Sette Arcangeli (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2022-09-29.
  20. ^ "The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy – Principles and Guidelines". Holy See. 2002.
  21. ^ "Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers". www.oca.org. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  22. ^ "First Enoch – Chapter XX / Chapter 20 – Book of 1 Enoch, Parallel 1912 Charles & 1883 Laurence, Pseudepigrapha Online Parallel Bible Study". Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  23. ^ Driscoll, James F. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Raphael the Archangel". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  24. ^ "The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church". ethiopianorthodox.org. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  25. ^ "2. Intercessors: The Heavenly Orders Doxology: ذوكصولوجية للسمائيين". tasbeha.org. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  26. ^ Alex, Michael Ghaly. "رؤساء الملائكة الآخرين – كتاب الملائكة – St-Takla.org". st-takla.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  27. ^ Ghlay, Michael. "الملائكة.. ما هم، وما هو عدد وأسماء رؤساء الملائكه؟ – St-Takla.org". st-takla.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  28. ^ "Exciting Holiness: 29 September". excitingholiness.org. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  29. ^ "Truss Carvings: Heroes of the Faith". Trinity Lutheran Church. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  30. ^ Saint Uriel Church website patron Saint web page Archived 2013-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  31. ^ Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 380.
  32. ^ "Michael and All Angels". justus.anglican.org. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  33. ^ St. George's Lennoxville website, What Are Anglicans, Anyway? page Archived 2009-07-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  34. ^ Ian Richard Netton, Allah Transcendent: Studies in the Structure and Semiotics of Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Cosmology Psychology Press, 1994 ISBN 9780700702879, p. 205.
  35. ^ Adam Valen Levinson, The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah: Fear and Love in the Modern Middle East, W. W. Norton & Company, 2017, ISBN 978-0-393-60837-3.
  36. ^ Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma (of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry), (1871, 1948, L. H. Jenkins).
  37. ^ Guiley, Rosemary (2004). The Encyclopedia of Angels. Infobase Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4381-3002-6.
  38. ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (May 10, 2021). Worship of Planetary Spirits is idolatrous Astrolatry: Divine Astrology is for Initiates; superstitious Astrolatry for the masses. Philaletheians UK. p. 9.
  39. ^ Marvin Meyer; Willis Barnstone (2009). "On the Origin of the World". The Gnostic Bible. Shambhala. Retrieved 2022-02-06.

Further reading

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