In popular Jewish lore and teachings, There are 9 angelic orders ranked under 3 hierarchies,
the lowest, the middle and the highest, each hierarchy having 3 orders.
St Ambrose and PSEUDO-DIONYSuS group these orders a bit differently, with St Ambrose
saying the angels, archangels and virtues are the lowest, the powers, principalities
and thrones being the middle, and the Dominations, Cherubim and Seraphim being the highest.
According to PSEUDO-DIONYSuS however, the Angels, the Archangels and the principalities
belong the lowest hierarchy, the powers, the virtues and the Dominions, belong to the middle
hierarchy, while the Thrones, the Cherubim and the seraphim, belong to the highest hierarchy.
We shall use the PSEUDO-DIONYSus version, in ascending order.
The angels are the 1st in rank, the lowest of the 9 orders and are guardian angels of
the human race, and the messengers of the celestial realm, whose duties are to shuttle
between different realms, mediating between the mundane and the divine.
The chiefest prince of this order is Angel Gabriel, alongside other princes, Phaleg,
Adnachiel and Chayliel.
The Archangels are the 2nd in rank, higher than the Angels.
They minister and appease the Lord for the sins of the ignorant and of the righteous."
The chiefest ruling prince of this order is Archangel Michael, alongside 6 other princes,
archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Metatron, Barachiel, Jehudiel, and Uriel, who is also known as
Phanuel.
Before his fall, Lucifer was once one of the princes of this angelic order.
Many christians believe there are only 7 archangels, however, a few sources and authorities disagree,
saying these 7 are only the chiefs or princes of the order, and so are the most famous.
They say the chiefs preside over a few other archangels.
According to the book of Enoch, these other archangels include Zerachiel, Seltiel, Jeremiel,
Baradiel, and Sidriel.
According to the Testament of Solomon, they include Sabrael, Arael, Iaoth, Adonael, and
azrael.
According to Pope Gregory the great, they include Simiel, Orifiel, and Zachariel.
And According to PSEUDO-DIONYSUS, they include Chamuel, Jophiel, and Zadkiel . Furthermore,
in the 3rd book of Enoch, it is said each of the 7 archangel princes is accompanied
by 496,000 myriads of ministering angels."
The Principalities are the 3rd in Rank, higher than the Archangels.
They are the Protectors of Religion, who watch over the leaders of the people, and inspire
them to make the right decisions.
The ruling princes of this order include Requel, Haniel, Cerviel, and Nisroc.
The Powers are the 4th in rank, higher than the Principalities, and their principal task
is to see to it that order is maintained on the heavenly pathways.
They stop the efforts of demons who would overthrow the world, the powers preside over
demons.
Angel Sammael is chiefest prince of this order, alongside other princes, Gabriel, Verchiel,
and Lucifer before his fall.
The powers are said to be the first created angels, and are said to have an inclination
towards evil, a tendency to become evil.
The Virtues are the 5th in Rank, higher than the order of Powers, and Their primary duty
is to work miracles in the mundane realm, They are the bestowers of grace and valor.
The ruling princes of this order are Michael, Raphael, Barbiel, Uriel, Peliel, and Lucifer,
before his fall.
The Dominions are the 6th in Rank, higher than the virtues.
They regulate the duties of angels, and aspire to true lordship.
It is through them the majesty of God is manifested.
The ruling princes of this order are Zadkiel, Hashmal, Zacharael, and Muriel.
The Thrones are the 7th in rank, higher than the Dominions or Dominations.
It is through the thrones that God brings his justice upon the human race.
And The ruling princes of this angelic order are Oriphiel, Zabkiel, and Zaphkiel.
The Cherubim are the 8 in rank, higher than the Thrones, and they symbolize God's highest
potencies, sovereignty, and goodness.
The Jews say they are the many eyed charioteers of God, the bearers of His throne, and the
personification of the winds.
The word Cherubim is of Assyrian and Akkadian origin, which means "one who prays" or "one
who intercedes." and In ancient Assyrian art, the cherubim are depicted as huge, winged
creatures with human faces or that of lions, bodies of bulls or sphinxes, or eagles, and
were usually placed at entrances to palaces or temples as guardian spirits.
In the Old Testament of the Bible However, The cherubim are described as angels of flaming
fire, wielding flaming swords which turn like wheels, for It was two Cherubim, who, with
their flaming swords, guarded the Tree of Life and the Garden of Eden.
The chiefest prince of this order is Cherubiel, alongside other princes, Gabriel, Ophaniel,
Raphael, Uriel, Zophiel, and Lucifer before his fall.
The Seraphim are the 9th in rank, and the highest of all other orders.
The seraphim surround the throne of God and unceasingly praise his name.
They are the angels of love, of light, and of fire.
The book of enoch says there are only 4 of them, "corresponding to the 4 winds of the
world."
These 4 princes are Seraphiel, Jehoel, Metatron, and Michael, with the chiefest prince being
Jeheol, some say Michael.
Before his fall, Lucifer was once the ruling prince of the Seraphim, and after his fall,
was replaced by Jeheol or Michael.