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.