Hierarchy of angels

According to medieval Christian theologians, the Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the Fourth or Fifth century, in his book The Celestial Hierarchy.

Related Topics:
Medieval - Christian theologians - Angel - Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite - Fourth - Fifth century - The Celestial Hierarchy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In this work, the author drew on passages from the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 6:12 and Colossians 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

Related Topics:
New Testament - Ephesians - Colossians - Angel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• First Hierarchy:
• Seraphim
• Cherubim
• Thrones
• Second Hierarchy:
• Powers
• Dominions
• Principalities
• Third Hierarchy:
• Virtues
• Archangels
• Angels

During the Middle Ages, many other schema were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications. Here is another example, which is expanded in the rest of this article:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• First Hierarchy:
• Seraphim
• Cherubim
• Archangels
• Second Hierarchy:
• Dominions
• Virtues
• Principalities
• Rulers
• Authorities
• Powers
• Thrones
• Third Hierarchy:
• Angels

Some authors limited the number of Choirs to seven.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Hierarchy of angels: First Sphere ►