"We have said that there are nine orders of angels, because we know from the testimony of Holy Scriptures that there are Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. That there are Angels and Archangels all the pages of Sacred Scripture bear witness. The prophetical books speak often of the Seraphim and the Cherubim as we know. Also Paul the Apostle mentions the names of four orders, where he says to the Ephesians: Above all principality and power, and virtue and dominion (i. 21). And again, writing to the Colossians, he says: Whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers (i. 16). Speaking to the Ephesians, he had already mentioned Dominions, Principalities, and Powers; but being about to speak of these to the Colossians also he mentions first, Thrones, of whom he had not spoken to the Ephesians. [...] Adding to these the Angels, Archangels, Cherubim, and Seraphim, we find that there are certainly nine orders of angels [...]
Messengers, in the Greek tongue, are called angels; and the chief messengers are called archangels. We must also know that the name angel refers rather to their office, and not to their own nature. For these holy spirits of our heavenly fatherland are indeed always spirits, but cannot always be called angels; for then only are they angels when by means of them certain things are announced. Accordingly, through the Psalmist is it said: Who makes his spirits angels (Ps. ciii. 4), as though saying: Who when He wills makes angels (messengers) of those spirits who stand for ever in His Presence.
They who announce things of lesser significance are called Angels, and they who announce the greater things are called Archangels. [...] That they have proper names is not for the sake of the inhabitants of the Holy City, lest they should not be known without them -- for there because of the Vision of God they each enjoy perfect knowledge -- but for our sake; for when they come to us on some mission they take their names from the task they fulfill. Accordingly, Michael is called, Who is like to God? Gabriel is, The Strength of God. Raphael is called, The Medicine of God. [...] Those spirits are called Virtues through whom signs and wonders are wrought from time to time. They are called Powers who, in their order, have received this gift more powerfully than the rest received it, so that the hostile Virtues, whose powers are curbed, are subject to their word, so that they shall not tempt the hearts of men as they will. They are called Principalities who are placed over the good angels, order the tasks to be done by those subject to them, and rule them in the fulfilling of their offices. They are called Dominations whose powers surpass those of the Principalities, by reason of a special distinction. For to be a Principality means to stand first among the rest; but to be a Dominion means to have all the rest as subjects. That order of angels therefore to whom all the rest are subject, since they surpass them all in wondrous power, are called Dominations. Thrones they are called upon whom the Omnipotent God is ever seated to give judgment. [...] Hence the Psalmist says: Thou dost sit upon a throne who judges justice (Psalm ix. 5). Again, Cherubim means the fulness of knowledge [...] contemplating more closely the glory of God, they are filled with a more perfect knowledge of Him. [...] And these choirs of holy spirits who because of their special closeness to the Creator burn with an incomparable love are called Seraphim. [...]
But of what use is it to speak of these angelic spirits unless we seek through fitting reflection upon them to derive some profit from them for ourselves? [...] For the manner of life of different men clearly corresponds to the diverse orders of the heavenly host, and they are assigned to their order each in accord with the similarity of their devotion.
* For there are many who have understanding in small measure, yet they cease not from devoutly announcing these same small matters to their brethren. They accordingly associate with the ranks of Angels.
* And there are some who are filled with the favour of the divine bounty, and able to comprehend and to speak of the highest heavenly secrets. Where shall these be placed if not among the number of the Archangels?
* And there are others who perform miracles, and work great signs and wonders. To whom do they correspond but to the rank and number of the heavenly Virtues?
* And there are those who drive out evil spirits from the bodies that are possessed by them, and they cast them forth by virtue of their prayers and of the power they have received. Where shall they have place if not among the celestial Powers?
* And there are some who because of the graces they have received surpass in merit even the elect, and being better than the good are even placed over their elect brethren. Where are they received if not among the number of the Principalities?
* And there are some who have so overcome within themselves all the vices and all desires that by merit of their purity that they are called gods among men [...] With whom will they associate if not with the order of Dominations?
* And there are some who rule themselves with watchful care, and while examining themselves with anxious zeal, holding fast to the fear of God, receive as the reward of their virtues that they are able to judge others justly. Their minds being ever held in divine contemplation God rests upon them as upon a throne while He examines the actions of other men, and from His seat orders all things wondrously. Who are these but the Thrones of the Creator? And with whom shall they be numbered but with the number of the Heavenly Thrones? By these, as long as the Holy Church is subject to rule, even the elect are sometimes judged regarding certain imperfect acts of theirs.
* And there are some men who are so filled with the love of God and of their neighbour that they are rightly called cherubim.
* And there are some who set on fire by the perfections of the heavenly contemplation breathe only in the love of their Creator, desire nothing more of this world, are nourished solely by this eternal love, cast away whatever is of this earth, pass in their minds above all temporal things, they love and they are on fire [...] speaking they inflame others, and whom they touch by word they straightaway make them begin to burn with the love of God. What shall I call these if not seraphim."
CALL TO ACTION: "See if there be now within you anything of good, whether you shall receive the reward of your calling among the ranks of these angelic choirs of whom we have briefly spoken to you? Woe to the soul who finds nothing within it, however little, of those good things of which we have just been speaking; and yet greater woe threatens it should it see itself empty of these graces, and yet not grieve because of it."
Source: Quotes from "The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers" (St. Gregory's Sermon for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost), Volume III, pages 204-208; Henry Regnery Company (copyright 1959); Imprimatur: E. Morrogh Bernard, Vic. Gen. Westmonasterii; Nihil Obstat: Joannes M. T. Barton, S.T.D., L.S.S., Censor Deputatus
Photo by Myriam Zilles