The Catholic Defender: celestial Choir of Archangels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen.
In traditional Christian angelology, the Celestial Choir of Archangels is the eighth of nine ranks (or "choirs") of angels, situated in the third and lowest hierarchy. While the term "archangel" is often used broadly for any powerful angel, in the formal Celestial Hierarchy established by theologians like Pseudo-Dionysius and St. Thomas Aquinas, this choir has specific roles and characteristics.
Sphere of Influence: Archangels belong to the Third Triad (the lowest sphere), which is most directly concerned with the affairs of humanity and the physical world.
Primary Function: They are known as "chief messengers" who proclaim messages of supreme importance to mankind. Unlike the lowest rank of "Angels" who handle individual guardian duties, Archangels are often responsible for larger groups, such as nations, dioceses, or monumental historical events.
The Seven Archangels: While hundreds of angels might exist in this choir, Catholic tradition specifically emphasizes Seven Archangels who "stand before the throne of God," three of whom are named in the canonical Bible: Michael (the warrior), Gabriel (the messenger), and Raphael (the healer).
Divine Revelation: They are said to reveal deeper divine mysteries and guide leaders and communities toward God's plan for salvation.
According to the Catholic Company, the Archangels sit between the Principalities (7th) and the Angels (9th):
Seraphim: The "Burning Ones" closest to God.
Cherubim: Guardians of divine knowledge and the Tree of Life.
Thrones: Symbols of divine justice and stability.
Dominations: Governors of the lower angelic ranks.
Virtues: Workers of miracles and controllers of nature.
Powers: Warriors who protect the cosmos from evil forces.
Principalities: Guardians of nations and the Church.
Archangels: Proclaimers of major events and protectors of leadership.
Angels: The messengers closest to individuals (includes Guardian Angels).
First Sphere: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones (focused on God's throne).
Second Sphere: Dominations, Virtues, and Powers (focused on governing the universe).
Third Sphere: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels (focused on human affairs).
As members of the third sphere, Archangels are regarded as "chief messengers" who carry out momentous missions and tasks. Unlike the lower choir of "Angels" (who serve as personal guardians), Archangels typically oversee larger human concerns such as nations or major historical events.
Archangels are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible.
They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique role as God's messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse.
A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is celebrated throughout the Church Sep 29. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly.
Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim.
He is described as the "chief of princes" and as the leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over Satan and his followers.
The angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of Daniel, he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dn 9:21-27).
He appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11).
It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour. (Lk 1:26)
The angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobit (Tobias)Tb 3:25, 5:5-28, 6-12). He announces "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God." (Tb 12:15)
Michael:The only one explicitly called an "archangel" in Scripture (Jude 1:9). He is the prince of the heavenly host and leader of God’s armies against Satan (Revelation 12:7-9).
Gabriel: Known as the messenger of the Incarnation. He announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:11-38).
Raphael: Found in the Book of Tobit (part of the Catholic and Orthodox canons), he identifies himself as "one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord" (Tobit 12:15).
1 Thessalonians 4:16: Describes the Lord descending from heaven "with the voice of the archangel".
Jude 1:9: Refers to "Michael the archangel" disputing with the devil over the body of Moses.
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