Dionysius Hierarchy of Angels

Nine Celestial Orders of Angels

Seraphims ~ Cherubims ~ Thrones
Dominions ~ Virtues ~ Powers
Principalities ~ Archangels ~ Angels

First order: Closest in order to God
Seraphims
The guardians before God's throne, referred to as "the fiery spirits",
they are usually pictured with six wings and flames. They
constantly sing God's praise and regulate heaven. They are colored
a flaming red and gold to symbolize fire. God's grace flows through
the seraphim to the Angels below, dispelling darkness and purifying
the universe. It was from this order that Satan emerged. Before his
fall from Grace, he was considered the Angel who outshone all
others. Seraphims are the highest order of Angels.

Cherubims
Gods record keepers and guardians of God's glory. Over the years
Cherubims have undergone radical transformations from the
Assyrian leonine-monster guardian to the winged creature of the
Old Testament to a chubby baby with blue wings which appeared in
the 1600s. Originally, Cherubims were depicted with multi-eyed
peacock's feathers to symbolize their all-knowing character. The
first Angels mentioned in the bible, God placed the Cherubim at the
east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
They are the charioteers of God and bearers of his throne.

Thrones
Referred to as "the many eyed ones", portrayed as winged wheels
within wheels, whose rims were covered in eyes. They support the
Throne of God and consider how God's decisions should be
manifested. Their mission is to bring judgment for individual karma
and society as a whole.

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Second order: Priest-Princes of the court of heaven
Dominions
These are the Angels who bring you the teachings of intuition.
Through them the majesty of God is manifested. They carry scepter
and sword to symbolize the given power over all creation and
decide what needs to be done to accomplish God's needs and
regulate the duties of Angels to ensure the universe keeps working
as it should. They appear in human shape, wearing a triple crown to
signify their position over the physical form. They can be seen
carrying a scepter, holding a cross and/or a sword to symbolize the
balance between the active and passive forces.

Virtues
Drawing on God's force to work miracles on earth, the "brilliant" or
"shining ones" are the Angels of miracles, encouragement and

blessings. Virtues are the ones who become involved whenever
people are struggling with their faith. They have four blue feathered
wings and war sparkling armor. They can often be seen with a
scepter, axe spear, sword and/or a shield for protection. But each of
these "tools" are decorated with instruments of passion. They work
hand-in-hand with the Thrones to bestow grace and rewards on
those who have overcome deeds in their physical lives.

Powers
First order of Angels created by God, it is the job of the Powers to
prevent the fallen Angels from taking over the world and keep the
universe in balance. They also bring the power of intellect in such
matters as math, geometry, astronomy and so on, making them the
professors and educators.

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Third order: The Ministering Angels
Principalities
The protectors of religions, guardian Angels of cities, nations,
rulers. They keep watch over nations and attempt to inspire their
leaders to make wise decisions. Often depicted wearing soldier's
garb and sandals, they are seen in human form. They provide
strength to the tribes of Earth to pursue and endure their faith.

Archangels
The "chief-Angels", they carry God's messages to humans and
command God's armies of Angels in constant battle with the "Sons
of Darkness". They look after the affairs of humankind and act as
guardian Angels to leaders of world movements. These are the
Angels who stand around God's throne, ready to carry out the divine
and most important decrees to humans. According to the book of
Revelation, there are seven Archangels who stand in the presence of
God, but only four are mentioned in the Old Testament, Michael,
Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. The identity of the other three is subject
to debate. The three recognized in the Judeo-Christian belief are
Raguel, Jophiel and Chamuel. Other possible candidates are Ariel,
Azrael, Camael, Haniel, Jeremiel, Metetron, Raziel, Sandalphon and
Zadkiel.

Angels
Celestial beings closest to humans, Angels are the intermediaries
between God and mortals. Assigned by God to every human being
at the time of his or her birth, they assist every aspect of life in the
universe. They deal with the aspects of everyday life and act as the
direct gateway for information, knowledge and communications
between human kind and the God force. These Angels are seen
with human bodies, wings and clothed in various garments
depending on the traditions and visual acceptance of the human they
have "been assigned to". In reality, Angels do not have human
bodies, wings or clothing, they are made up of energy and love. The
only thing Angels do not help humans do is destroy themselves, the
planet and other human beings, they are always a force for all that is
positive, good and true.

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