The Nine Choirs of Angels Ranked From Closeness To God!
By Rosario Lim
From Christian tradition and Holy Scriptures, there are nine choirs of angels. As we grow in love for God, we have to bear in mind that the angels provide us with a sense of progress in our understanding of God and His creation. According to Fr. John Horgan, “The hierarchy of angels is meant to help us understand the qualities of God and how we might grow in the ways of holiness.” In other words, the angels help us get closer to God.
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St. Thomas, the Angelic Doctor, says that angels belong to different choirs according to their intelligence and their place in God’s plan. The highest group of angels – the seraphim, the cherubim, and the thrones – contemplate God and are totally concerned with Him. The second level – the dominions, the virtues, and the powers – these heavenly governors assist in the support of many activities related to God’s throne. The third sphere – the princes/principalities, the archangels, and the angels – are best known to us, whose mission is to assist us while we are on earth. They serve as our guides, protectors, and God’s messengers.
St. Michael the Archangel once appeared to Antonia d’Astonac, telling her that he wished to be honored by nine salutations corresponding to the nine Choirs of Angels. He promised that, “Whoever would practice this devotion in his honor would have, when approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life, and after death, deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and all their relations.” In times like these, it is a wise decision to pray the Chaplet of St. Michael daily. Here’s the link to the chaplet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzKF9sJd-5s
Ranked from Closest to God
1st Sphere (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones)
2nd Sphere (Dominions, Virtues, Powers)
3rd Sphere (Principalities, Archangels, Angels)
SERAPHIM – sometimes called “the burning ones” because they are closest to God and radiate Pure Light. These are the Angels who constantly sing God’s praise, and whose duty it is to regulate the heavens. (Lucifer is said to have been one of the Seraphim who had outshone all the others untill he became the head of the fallen angels.
CHERUBIM – sent to guard the gates of Eden. Originally they were depicted as the bearers of God’s Throne, as the charioteers, and as powerful beings with four wings and four faces. However, in modern times, Cheribum have evolved into chubby babies with wings.
THRONES – called the ‘many eyed ones’ have the duty of carrying out God’s decisions. They are often represented as firey wheels.
DOMINIONS – their job is to regulate the duties of the other Angels and ensure that God’s wishes are carried out.
VIRTUES – the Angels of Grace who bring God’s blessings to Earth, usually in the form of miracles. Known as the ‘brilliant’ or “shinning’” ones, they are associated with acts of heroism and bring courage when needed.
POWERS – their job is to prevent the ‘fallen angels’ from taking over the world and keeping the Universe in balance. They are also seen as the Angels of birth and death.
PRINCIPALITIES – the Guardian Angels of cities, nations and rulers, and guards against the invasion of evil angels.
ARCHANGELS – probably the best known of all Angels. They carry God’s most important messages to humans. They also command God’s ‘armies’ of Angels in the constant battle with the “sons of darkness.”
ANGELS – the Celestial Beings closest to humans. They act as intermediaries between the Almighty and humanity. Often called our “Guardian Angels.”
