Archangels – higher-ranking angels in the hierarchy of angels

Archangels – higher-ranking angels in the hierarchy of angels

Archangels (Lat. archangelus, pl. archangeli) are superior or higher-ranking angels.^[1] Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. In Biblical Christianity, the only archangels ever clearly named as being of the order are Michael and Gabriel; Raphael is mentioned in the Deuterocanonical book of Tobit, and Uriel is mentioned in the Pseudepigraphal Book of Enoch.

The word archangel derives from the Greek αρχάγγελος archangelos = αρχ- arch- ("first, primary, chief or highest") and άγγελος angelos ("messenger").

Orthodox icon (the left picture) of the seven archangels. From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel, Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel, Raphiel, Barachiel. Beneath the mandorla of Christ are representations of Cherubim and Seraphim.