Today is the Feast day of Michael and all Angels. This is the first since my younger brother,
Michael as joined that vast throng in heaven, and is especially important to me.
The Bible tells us that God's creation is vast and richer than we can know in our simple minds. There are beings that worship God in heaven, and are some sort of messengers between Heaven and Earth, they also seem to act as His agents here in this world. We don't know a lot about them but Michael is mentioned as the leader of the Heavenly armies against the dragon.
Traditionally it is understood that there are Nine Choirs of Angels
They can all be called Angels, but they go from the highest order the Seraphim, who devote themselves to worshiping God, beholding Him face to face, down to the lowest order, the Angels we interact with here on earth the most. It has been understood that each Order helps to reveal and declare God's glory to the Angels in the Order below
Choir
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Seraphim
Cherubim
Thrones
Dominions
Virtues
Powers
Principalities
Archangels
Angels
Michael (the name means, "Who is like God?") is mentioned in the Scriptures in Daniel 10:13,31; 12:1, Jude 9, and Revelation 12:7. We usually see him depicted in full armor, carrying a lance, and with his foot on the neck of a dragon.
Gabriel (the name means "God is my champion") is mentioned in Daniel 8:16; 9:21and in Luke, he is the Angel of the Annunciation. He has been viewed as the bearer of special messengers between God and man.
Raphael (the name means "God heals") is mentioned in the book of Tobit, where he appears as a man to Tobias.
Uriel (the name means "God is my light") is mentioned in 4 Esdras.
Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted in a wonderful Order the ministries of Angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as Your holy Angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Yes, I post the night before so it is ready on the correct day :)
Posted by: Monk-in-Training | September 29, 2006 at 06:06 AM
Isn't Michaelmas the 29th?
Posted by: Thomas | September 28, 2006 at 09:27 PM