View source for Archangel

{{Short description|Second-lowest rank of angel}}
{{About|the rank of angel}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
[[File:GuidoReni MichaelDefeatsSatan.jpg|thumb|[[Guido Reni]]'s ''Archangel Michael Trampling Lucifer'', 1636]]
'''Archangels''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑr|k|ˈ|eɪ|n|dʒ|əl|s}}) are the second-lowest rank of [[angel]] in the Catholic [[hierarchy of angels]], based on and put forward by [[Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite]] in the 5th or 6th century in his book ''[[De Coelesti Hierarchia]]'' (''On the Celestial Hierarchy'').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chase |first=Steven |title=Angelic spirituality |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8091-3948-4 |page=264}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McInerny |first=Ralph M. |title=Selected writings of Thomas Aquinas |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-14-043632-7 |page=841}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Pseudo-Dionysius |first=the Areopagite |title=Pseudo-Dionysius : the complete works |date=1987 |publisher=Paulist Press |others=Colm Luibhéid, Paul Rorem |isbn=0-8091-0383-4 |location=New York |pages=161–173 |oclc=15282383}}</ref> 

The Bible itself uses the term “archangel” two times referring to the angel Michael only in the New Testament. The Bible does not mention a particular [[hierarchy of angels]] in any detail aside from this. The word is usually associated with the [[Abrahamic religions]] and many offshoots they are historically associated with.

''Archangel'' is derived from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{tlit|grc|archángelos}} ({{lang|grc|ἀρχάγγελος}}), with the Greek prefix {{tlit|grc|[[wikt:arch-|arch]]-}} meaning 'chief'. In Catholic theology, archangels constitute the second-lowest rank of angel; much of modernized imaging of Archangels as we have today likely stems from the etymology of their name, as well as their presentation in [[John Milton]]'s ''[[Paradise Lost]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Methodist New Connexion Magazine and Evangelical Repository, Volume XXXV., Third Series|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Q8EAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA493|year=1867|publisher=William Cooke|location=London|page=493}}</ref>

In many offshoots of [[Judaism]], with the oldest text coming from Enoch 1, the highest ranking angels such as [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Gabriel]] and [[Uriel]], who are usually referred to as archangels in [[English language|English]], are given the title of {{tlit|he|śārīm}} ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: {{lang|he|שָׂרִים}} '[[prince]]s'; {{abbr|sing.|singular}} {{lang|he|שָׂר}} {{tlit|he|śār}}), to show their superior rank and status.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strong's Hebrew Concordance - 8269. sar |url=https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8269.htm}}</ref> Two examples of this can be seen in [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] 10:13 and 12:1, where Michael, Chief of the [[Heavenly host|Heavenly Host]], is referred to as {{tlit|he|ʾaḥaḏ haśśārīm hārišōnīm}} ({{lang|he|אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים}} 'one of the chief princes') in the former, and {{tlit|he|haśśar haggāḏōl}} ({{lang|he|הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל}} 'the great prince') in the latter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel 10:13 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Daniel.10.13?ven=The_Holy_Scriptures:_A_New_Translation_(JPS_1917)&lang=bi |website=Sefaria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel 10:13, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/daniel/10-13.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel 12:1 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Daniel.12?ven=The_Holy_Scriptures:_A_New_Translation_(JPS_1917)&lang=bi |website=Sefaria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel 12:1, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis. |url=https://biblehub.com/text/daniel/12-1.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Four Archangels, St John's Church, Warminster, Wiltshire.jpg|thumb|right|The four archangels, mosaics at [[St John's Church, Warminster]]]]

[[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and [[Gabriel]] are recognized as archangels in Judaism and Islam, and by most [[Christians]]. [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]—mentioned in the [[deuterocanonical books|deuterocanonical]]/[[Biblical apocrypha|apocryphal]] [[Book of Tobit]]&shy;— is also recognized as a chief angel in the [[Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] churches.{{efn-ua|The [[Book of Tobit]] is considered to be part of the [[Old Testament]] in the Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Persian Churches; in the Catholic Church, it is deemed one of the [[deuterocanonical books]]. In traditional Protestantism, such as the Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches and Anabaptist Churches, the Book of Tobit is an intertestamental book, being a part of the [[Biblical apocrypha|Apocrypha]].<ref name="FUP1970">{{cite book |title=Quaker Life, Volume 11 |date=1970 |publisher=Friends United Press |page=141 |language=English |quote=Even though they were not placed on the same level as the canonical books, still they were useful for instruction ... These&shy;– and others that total fourteen or fifteen altogether&shy;- are the books known as the Apocrypha.}}</ref><ref name="Wesner">{{cite web |last1=Wesner |first1=Erik J. |title=The Bible |date=8 April 2015 |url=https://amishamerica.com/bible/#apocrypha |publisher=Amish America |access-date=23 May 2021 |language=English}}</ref>}}<ref name="Blersch2019">{{cite web |last1=Blersch |first1=Jeffrey |title=St. Michael and All Angels |url=https://www.pacifichillslutheran.org/news/st-michael-and-all-angels.html |publisher=Pacific Hills Lutheran Church |access-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201093647/https://www.pacifichillslutheran.org/news/st-michael-and-all-angels.html |archive-date=1 February 2023 |language=English |date=21 September 2019}}</ref> Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael are venerated in the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]] and Lutheran Churches with a feast on September 29 (between 1921 and 1969, March 24 for Gabriel and October 24 for Raphael), and in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] on November 8 (if the Julian calendar is used, this corresponds to November 21 in the Gregorian).<ref name="Blersch2019"/> The named archangels in Islam are [[Gabriel#Islam|Jibra'il]], [[Michael (archangel)#Quran and other Muslim traditions|Mika'il]], [[Israfil]], and [[Azrael#In_Quran_and_its_exegesis|Azrael]]. Jewish literature, such as the [[3 Enoch|Sefer Hekhalot (3 Enoch)]], also mentions [[Metatron]] as an archangel, called the "highest of the angels", though the acceptance of this angel is not canonical in all branches of the faith.

Some branches of the faiths mentioned have identified a group of [[seven Archangels|seven to eight archangels]], but the named angels vary, depending on the source.<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000">{{cite book |last1=Parry |first1=Ken |last2=Melling |first2=David J. |last3=Brady |first3=Dimitri |last4=Griffith |first4=Sidney H. |last5=Healey |first5=John F. |title=The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity |date=8 November 2000 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-631-18966-4 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref> Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael are always mentioned; the other archangels vary, but most commonly include [[Uriel]] and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]], both of whom are mentioned in [[2 Esdras]].{{efn-ua|[[2 Esdras]] is considered to be part of the [[Old Testament]] canon in the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]], while in traditional Protestantism, such as the Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches and Anabaptist Churches, 2 Esdras is an intertestamental book, being a part of the [[Biblical apocrypha|Apocrypha]].}} As well as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, the [[Book of Enoch]], regarded as canonical by the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] (Oriental Orthodox), mentions in chapter 20: [[Raguel]], [[Sariel]], and [[Jerahmeel|Jerahmeel (Remiel)]].<ref>{{cite web |title=First Enoch - Chapter XX / Chapter 20 - Book of 1 Enoch, Parallel 1912 Charles & 1883 Laurence, Pseudepigrapha Online Parallel Bible Study |url=http://qbible.com/enoch/20.html |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref>

==Zoroastrianism==
{{See also|Amesha Spenta|Zoroastrianism}}
An increasing number of experts in anthropology, theology and philosophy believe that [[Zoroastrianism]] contains the earliest distillation of prehistoric belief in angels.<ref name="Boyce">{{cite book|author-link=Mary Boyce|last=Boyce|first=Mary|title=A History of Zoroastrianism Volume One: The Early Period|publisher=E. J. Brill|location=Leiden|date=1975}}</ref>

The [[Amesha Spentas]] ([[Avestan]]: Aməša Spəṇta, meaning "beneficent immortals")<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/20459/amesha-spenta |title=Encyclopædia Britannica, "amesha spenta" |encyclopedia=Britannica.com |access-date=2014-03-11 }}</ref> of Zoroastrianism are likened to archangels. They individually inhabit immortal bodies that operate in the physical world to protect, guide, and inspire humanity and the spirit world. The [[Avesta]] explains the origin and nature of archangels or Amesha Spentas.<ref name="Boyce"/>

To maintain equilibrium, Ahura Mazda engaged in the first act of creation, distinguishing his Holy Spirit Spenta Mainyu, the Archangel of righteousness. Ahura Mazda also distinguished from himself six more Amesha Spentas, who, along with Spenta Mainyu, aided in the creation of the physical universe. Then he oversaw the development of sixteen lands, each imbued with a unique cultural catalyst calculated to encourage the formation of distinct human populations. The Amesha Spentas were charged with protecting these holy lands and through their emanation, also believed to align each respective population in service to God.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/sbe04/sbe0428.htm|chapter=Zend Avesta FARGARD XXII|page=199|first=Mary|last=Boyce|title=A History of Zoroastrianism Volume One: The Early Period|publisher=E. J. Brill|location=Leiden|orig-year=1975|year=1989|isbn=9004088474}}</ref>

The Amesha Spentas as attributes of God are:

# Spenta Mainyu ([[Middle Persian|Pahlavi]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avesta.org/zglos.html|title=Glossary and Standardized spelling of Zoroastrian terms|website=avesta.org|access-date=28 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303210840/http://www.avesta.org:80/zglos.html|archive-date=2000-03-03}}</ref> Spenamino): lit. "Bountiful Spirit"
# Asha Vahishta (Phl. Ardwahisht): lit. "Highest Truth"
# Vohu Mano (Phl. Vohuman): lit. "Righteous Mind"
# Khshathra Vairya (Phl. Shahrewar): lit. "Desirable Dominion"
# Spenta Armaiti (Phl. Spandarmad): lit. "Holy Devotion"
# Haurvatat (Phl. Hordad): lit. "Perfection or Health"
# Ameretat (Phl. Amurdad): lit. "Immortality"

==Judaism==
[[File:Jacob Wrestling with the Angel.jpg|thumb|''[[Jacob]] Wrestling with the Angel'' by [[Gustave Doré]], 1885]]

The [[Hebrew Bible]] uses the term מלאכי אלהים (''malakhey Elohim''; Angels of God),<ref name=chabad>{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Baruch S.|url=http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/692875/jewish/What-Are-Angels.htm|title=What Are Angels?|publisher=Chabad.org|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref> The Hebrew word for angel is "malakh", which means messenger, for the angels מלאכי יי (''malakhey Adonai''; Angels of the Lord) are God's messengers to perform various missions - e.g. 'angel of death';<ref>[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5018-death-angel-of DEATH, ANGEL OF] "the "destroying angel" ("mal'ak ha-mashḥit")" Jewish Encyclopedia</ref> בני אלהים (''b'nei elohim''; sons of God) and הקדושים (''ha-q'doshim''; the holy ones) to refer to beings traditionally interpreted as ''angelic messengers''. Other terms are used in later texts, such as העליונים (ha-elyonim, ''the upper ones'', or ''the supreme ones''). References to angels are uncommon in Jewish literature except in later works such as the [[Book of Daniel]], though they are mentioned briefly in the stories of [[Jacob]] (who according to one interpretation wrestled with an angel) and [[Lot (Bible)|Lot]] (who was warned by angels of the impending destruction of the cities of [[Sodom and Gomorrah]]). [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] is the first biblical figure to refer to individual angels by name.<ref name="jpmmbk">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1521-angelology|title=ANGELOLOGY|author=Ludwig Blau|author2=Kaufmann Kohler|encyclopedia=Jewish Encyclopedia|date=1908|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref> It is therefore widely speculated that Jewish interest in angels developed during the [[Babylonian captivity]].<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Judaism.html "Judaism: The Postexilic Period"], ''International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences''</ref> According to [[Rabbi]] [[Simeon ben Lakish]] of [[Tiberias]] (230–270 A.D.), specific names for the angels were brought back by the Jews from [[Babylon]].

There are no explicit references to archangels in the [[Biblical canon|canonical]] texts of the [[Hebrew Bible]]. In [[Rabbinic Judaism|post-Biblical Judaism]], certain angels came to take on a particular significance and developed unique personalities and roles. Though these archangels were believed to have ranked amongst the [[heavenly host]], no systematic hierarchy ever developed. [[Metatron]] is considered one of the highest of the angels in [[Merkabah|Merkavah]] and [[kabbalah|Kabbalist]] mysticism and often serves as a scribe. He is briefly mentioned in the Talmud,<ref>Sanhedrin 38b and Avodah Zarah 3b.</ref> and figures prominently in Merkavah mystical texts. Michael, who serves as a warrior and advocate for Israel,<ref>{{Bibleverse||Daniel|10:13|KJV}}</ref> is looked upon particularly fondly. Gabriel is mentioned in the Book of Daniel<ref>{{Bibleverse||Daniel|8:15-17|KJV}}</ref> and briefly in the Talmud,<ref>cf. Sanhedrin 95b</ref> as well as many Merkavah mystical texts. The earliest references to archangels are in the literature of the intertestamental periods (e.g., 4 [[Esdras]] 4:36).

In the [[Kabbalah]] there are traditionally twelve archangels, who are each assigned to a certain [[sephirot|sephira]]: [[Shubael]], [[Raziel]], [[Cassiel]], [[Zadkiel]], [[Camael]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]] & [[Haniel]], [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] & [[Jophiel]], [[Gabriel]], and [[Azrael]]. There are also a variety of other archangels who share similar associations spanning throughout this tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Dr. Samuel J. |title=Above Sinai: Midrashim on the Conversations in Heaven. |url=https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/172341?lang=bi |website=Sefaria.}}</ref> Chapter 20 of the [[Book of Enoch]] mentions seven holy angels who watch, that often are considered the seven archangels: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, [[Uriel]], [[Sariel]], [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]], and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Remiel]].<ref name="oxford">Metzger & Coogan (1993) ''Oxford Companion to the Bible'', Oxford University Press, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Y2KGVuym5OUC&pg=PA54 p. 54], {{ISBN|9780199743919}}</ref> The [[Life of Adam and Eve]] lists the archangels as well: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and [[Jehoel|Joel]]. 
Medieval [[Jewish philosopher]] [[Maimonides]] made a [[Jewish angelic hierarchy]].

==Christianity==

The [[New Testament]] makes over a hundred references to [[angel]]s, but uses the word "archangel" only twice, in {{bibleverse|1 Thessalonians|4:16}} ("For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first", [[King James Version|KJV]]) and {{bibleverse|Jude|1:9}} ("Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee", KJV).

===Catholic===

In Catholicism, three are mentioned by name:
* [[Gabriel]]
* [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]]
* [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]
These three are commemorated together liturgically on [[September 29#Holidays and observances|September 29]]. Each formerly had his own feast.

The latter of these identifies himself in Tobit 12:15<sup>(NAB)</sup> thus: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord."

The [[Fourth Book of Esdras]], which mentions the angel [[Uriel]] (and also the "archangel" [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jeremiel]]), was popular in the West and was frequently quoted by Church Fathers, especially [[Ambrose]], but was never considered part of the Catholic [[biblical canon]].<ref name=souvay>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05535a.htm|title=Souvay, Charles. "Esdras." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 5 Aug. 2013|publisher=Newadvent.org|date=1909-05-01|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref>

The Catholic Church gives no official recognition to the names given in some apocryphal sources, such as [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]], [[Sariel|Saraqael]] and [[Ramiel (angel)|Remiel]] (in the [[Book of Enoch]]) or Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel (in other such sources).<ref name=driscoll>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm|title=Driscoll, James F. "St. Raphael." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 5 Aug. 2013|publisher=Newadvent.org|date=1911-06-01|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref>

[[File:Arcangeli-tosini.jpg|thumb|[[Michele Tosini]], Archangels Raphael, Michael and Gabriel, showing their attributes in Catholic art]]
In 1851 [[Pope Pius IX]] approved the [[Chaplet of Saint Michael]], based on the 1751 apparition of the [[Archangel Michael]] experienced by the Carmelite nun Antonia d'Astonac, which includes prayers with specific invocations to the Archangels and each of the nine Choirs of Angels.<ref>Ann Ball, 2003 ''Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices'' {{ISBN|0-87973-910-X}} page 123</ref><ref>[https://books.google.it/books?id=7GLjLQAACAAJ&dq=Michael+Archangel+Pius+chaplet&hl=it&sa=X&redir_esc=y|The Chaplet of Saint Michael the Archangel in Latin and English], Geoffrey W. M. P. Lopes Da Silva, Domina Nostra Publishing, 2020.</ref>

Of the three major archangels in the Catholic hierarchy of angels, all normally with large wings, [[Archangel Michael]] is easy to recognize, in armour with a weapon (sword or spear), often standing on a winged man or a dragon representing Satan, and he may carry a pair of scales to represent his role in the [[Last Judgement]].<ref>Hall, 208</ref>  [[Gabriel]] carries a stem of lilies, traditionally part of the [[iconography]] of the [[Annunciation]], his most significant  work as the messenger of God.<ref>Hall, 134</ref> The [[iconography]] of [[Archangel Raphael]] derives from the story from the [[Book of Tobit]] of [[Tobias and the Angel]]. Especially in the Renaissance, Tobias, his dog and the fish he carries may all appear, otherwise Raphael holds a walker's staff, may wear sandals, and may carry a small container (for the healing organs from the giant fish Tobias caught).<ref>Hall, 260</ref>

===Eastern Orthodox===
[[Image:Archangels.JPG|right|thumbnail|''Angelic Council'', [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[icon]] of the seven archangels, left to right: [[Jegudiel]], [[Gabriel]], [[Selaphiel]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Uriel]], [[Raphael (angel)|Raphael]], [[Barachiel]]. Beneath the [[mandorla]] of Christ-[[Immanuel|Immanuel (God is with us)]] are representations of [[Cherubim]] (blue) and [[Seraphim]] (red).]]

[[Eastern Orthodox]] [[Sacred Tradition|Tradition]] mentions "thousands of archangels".<ref>[[Anaphora (linguistics)|anaphora]], [[Divine Liturgy]] of [[St. John Chrysostom]]</ref> Only [[Seven Archangels]] are venerated by name.<ref name="ParryMellingBradyGriffith2000"/><ref>[http://www.holy-transfiguration.org/library_en/ang_heavhost.html The World of The Angels] Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church, Baltimore MD</ref> Three are the same as mentioned in Catholicism; namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  Uriel is included.  The other three or four are most often named [[Selaphiel]], [[Jegudiel]], [[Barachiel]] and (sometimes) [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jeremiel]].<ref name="Ohrid">{{cite web|authorlink=Nicholai Velimirovic|first=Nicholai|last=Velimirovic|url=http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=November&day=8&Go.x=13&Go.y=15|title=The Prologue from Ohrid: November 8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207012031/http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=November&day=8&Go.x=13&Go.y=15|archive-date=December 7, 2008|website=Western American Diocese}}</ref> The Orthodox Church celebrates the [[Synaxis]] of the Archangel Michael and the Other [[Bodiless Powers]] on [[November 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|November 8]] of the [[Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar]] (for those churches which follow the [[Julian Calendar]], November 8 falls on November 21 of the modern [[Gregorian Calendar]]). Other [[feast day]]s of the Archangels include the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel on March 26 (April 8) and July 13 (July 26), and the [[Miracle]] of the Archangel Michael at [[Colossae]] on September 6 (September 19). In addition, every Monday throughout the year is dedicated to the Angels, with special mention being made in the church hymns of Michael and Gabriel. In Orthodox [[iconography]], each angel has a symbolic representation:<ref name="Ohrid"/>

* ''[[Michael (archangel)|Michael]]'' in the Hebrew language means "Who is like God?" or "Who is equal to God?" Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks [[Lucifer|Lucifer/Satan]], and in his left hand a green palm branch. At the top of the spear, there is a linen ribbon with a red cross. The Archangel Michael is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox Faith and a fighter against heresies.
* ''[[Gabriel]]'' in Hebrew means "God is my strength" or "Might<!-- OK here: don't correct it--> of God". He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|Incarnation of God]] and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as follows: In his right hand, he holds a lantern with a lighted taper inside, and in his left hand, a mirror of green [[jasper]]. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.
* ''[[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]]'' is a Hebrew name which means "It is God who heals" or "God Heals".<ref>{{Bibleverse||Tobit|3:17|NAB}}, {{Bibleverse-nb||Tobit|12:15|NAB}}</ref> Raphael is depicted leading [[Tobias and the angel|Tobias]] (who is carrying a fish caught in the [[Tigris]]) with his right hand and holding a physician's [[alabaster jar]] in his left hand.
* ''[[Uriel]]'' in the Hebrew language means "God is my light", or "Light of God" (II Esdras 4:1, 5:20). He is depicted holding a sword in his right hand, and a flame in his left.
* ''[[Sealtiel]]'' means "Intercessor of God". He is depicted with his face and eyes lowered, holding his hands on his bosom in prayer.
* ''[[Samuel]]'' means "Glorifier of God". He is depicted bearing a golden wreath in his right hand and a triple-thonged whip in his left hand.
* ''[[Barachiel]]'' means "Blessed by God". He is depicted holding a white rose in his hand against his breast.
* ''[[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]]'' means "God's exaltation". He is venerated as an inspirer and awakener of exalted thoughts that raise a person toward God ({{Bibleverse|2|Esdras|4:36}}). As an ''eighth'', he is sometimes included as an archangel.

===Coptic Orthodox===
[[File:Coptic Icon of the Archangel Michael.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Coptic art|Coptic icon]] of the Archangel Michael. Among all the archangels, the Copts pay special attention to St Michael.]]

In addition to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox Church]] recognises four more archangels by name:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://becomeorthodox.org/the-heavenly-host-in-the-coptic-tradition/|title=The Heavenly Host in the Coptic Tradition|last=Meinardus|first=Otto F. A.|date=3 July 2015|website=becomeorthodox.org|access-date=28 March 2019|author-link=Otto Friedrich August Meinardus|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629060455/http://becomeorthodox.org/the-heavenly-host-in-the-coptic-tradition/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ''[[Suriel]]'' means "Prince of God"
* ''[[Zadkiel|Sadakiel]]'' means "Grace of God"
* ''[[Sarathiel]]'' "Discipline of God"
* ''[[Ananiel]]'' means "Rain of God"

===Ethiopian Orthodox===
[[File:Colección Miguel Gallés Icono etíope soporte pergamino XX (25x20) (2).JPG|thumb|upright|[[Ethiopian art|Ethiopian icon]] of an angel, possibly St Michael]]

The [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] venerates the four archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel, as well as:<ref name="Theology">{{cite web|url=http://www.dgmedhanealem.org/our-church/brief-history|title=Theology: ANGELS|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=dgmedhanealem.org|access-date=12 April 2019|quote=The notable seven Archangels are: St. Mikael, St. Gebriel, St. Rufael, St. Uriel, St. Ramuel, St. Phanuel, St. Raguel.}}</ref><ref name="Devotions">{{cite web|url=http://www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/Lent/devotion.html|title=Devotions: The Invocation of Angels|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=ethiopianorthodox.org|access-date=12 April 2019|quote=Devoutly are kept the feasts of all Angels including St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. […] Uriel, Regel, Remiel and Phanuel are other revered angels.}}</ref>
* ''[[Phanuel (angel)|Phanuel]]'', meaning "Face of God"
* ''[[Raguel (angel)|Raguel]]'', meaning "Friend of God"
* ''[[Ramiel|Remiel]]'',<ref name="Devotions" /> meaning "Thunder of God"

In the canon of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]], [[Book of Enoch|1 Enoch]] describes [[Saraqael]] as one of the angels who watch over "the spirits that sin in the spirit" (Enoch 20:7–8).

===Protestant===
The [[Protestant Bible]] provides names for two angels, "Michael the archangel" (Jude 1:9), the angel Gabriel, who is called "the man Gabriel" in Daniel 9:21, which are considered part of the standard New Testament canon and Old Testament canon respectively. It omits [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], who is mentioned in [[Book of Tobit|Tobit]] 12:15, which falls in the [[Biblical apocrypha|Apocrypha]] section of the Catholic Bible, and it omits [[Uriel]] ([[2 Esdras]] 4:1 and 2 Esdras 5:20) and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel]] (2 Esdras 4:36), which are contained in [[2 Esdras]], neither are included in the Protestant Bible. Among Protestant communities, the [[Anglican]] traditions recognize three to five angels as archangels: [[Michael (archangel)|Michael the Archangel]] and [[Gabriel|Gabriel the Archangel]], as well as [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael the Archangel]], [[Uriel|Uriel the Archangel]] and [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Jerahmeel the Archangel]].<ref name="Armentrout2000">{{cite book|last=Armentrout|first=Don S.|title=An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Church Publishing, Inc.|language=en|isbn=9780898697018|page=14}}</ref><ref name="Blersch2019"/><ref name="Trinity2023">{{cite web |title=Truss Carvings: Heroes of the Faith |url=https://www.historictrinity.org/our-history/architecture/stone-carvings/ |publisher=Trinity Lutheran Church |access-date=20 May 2023 |language=English}}</ref> [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]] only recognise Michael, Gabriel, and sometimes Raphael (not Uriel or Jerahmeel, because Esdras books are not included in the Lutheran apocrypha). Statuary of these angels can be found in Lutheran churches,<ref name="Trinity2023"/> and a depiction of seven archangels in stained-glass windows can be found in some Anglican churches. In this case, in addition to the aforementioned angels, [[Camael|Chamuel]], [[Jophiel]] and [[Zadkiel]] are variously depicted. They are commemorated on 29&nbsp;September, "[[Michaelmas]]", in the church kalendar of the Lutheran and Anglican churches (cf. ''[[Calendar of saints (Lutheran)]]'' and ''[[Calendar of saints (Anglican)]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.excitingholiness.org/first-edition/index.cgi?m09/d29.html|title=Exciting Holiness: 29 September|last=Kershaw|first=Simon|publisher=Canterbury Press Norwich|language=en|access-date=17 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Blersch2019"/> 

In the view of the Baptist evangelist [[Billy Graham]], Sacred Scripture explicitly described one being as an archangel—Michael—in Jude 1:9.<ref name="Billy Graham">[[Billy Graham|Graham, Billy]] (1995). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sDUbiV92-mIC&q=archangel&pg=PT31 Angels]''. Thomas Nelson. {{ISBN|9780849938719}}. p. PT31.</ref><ref>Graham (1995) p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sDUbiV92-mIC&q=Gabriel+not+archangel&pg=PT32 PT32]</ref>

[[Seventh-day Adventists]] hold that the titles "Michael" and "archangel" are references to Jesus. In the Adventist view, they only signify his role as chief of angels and make no reference to his divine nature. Adventists credit nonconformist minister [[Matthew Henry]] as supporting this view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/qod/q08.htm|title=Questions on Doctrine: Christ, and Michael and Archangel|publisher=SDAnet|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref>

<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Seven Archangels (St Michael's, Brighton).jpg|Seven archangels depicted in the stained-glass window at [[St Michael's Church, Brighton]]; from left: [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Gabriel]], [[Uriel]], [[Camael|Chamuel]] (Camael), [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]], [[Jophiel]], and [[Zadkiel]]
File:The Annunciation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, W1899-1-1-pma, by Henry Ossawa Tanner.jpg|''[[The Annunciation (Tanner)|The Annunciation]]'' by [[Henry Ossawa Tanner]]
File:Archangel Jeremiel, St Michael and All Angels, Hughenden.jpg|The [[Jerahmeel (archangel)|Archangel Jeremiel]] holding a book, depicted in a stained-glass window at [[St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden]]
</gallery>

===Restorationist===
[[Jehovah's Witnesses]], citing a reference to "the voice of the archangel" at [[First Epistle to the Thessalonians|1 Thessalonians]] 4:16, also believe that "Michael" is another name for [[Jesus]] in heaven. They believe Jesus is an archangel in the true sense of the word—the supreme leader of angels.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005160|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach?|pages=218–219|publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref>

[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) interprets the term "archangel" as meaning "Chief Angel",<ref name=gts>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/archangel|title=Archangel|work=Guide to the Scriptures|publisher=LDS Church}}</ref> Michael is the only individual so designated in the [[standard works|Latter Day Saints canon]].<ref>{{lds|Jude|jude|1|9}} ''[[LDS edition of the Bible|KJV (LDS)]]''</ref> It is believed that he is the head of all of the angels.<ref name=gts/> LDS Church doctrine also states that the archangel [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] was the first man, [[Adam]].<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|128|20|21}}; {{cite journal|author-link=Mark E. Petersen|first=Mark E.|last=Petersen|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1980/11/adam-the-archangel|title=Adam, the Archangel|journal=[[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]]|date=November 1980}}.</ref> Though no other being is identified as an "archangel", [[Joseph Smith]] taught that the angel [[Gabriel]] was known in mortality as [[Noah]]<ref>{{citation|last=Skinner|first=Andrew|contribution=Noah|contribution-url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Noah|pages=1016–1017|editor1-last=Ludlow|editor1-first=Daniel H|editor1-link=Daniel H. Ludlow|title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]]|location=New York|publisher=Macmillan Publishing|year=1992|isbn=0-02-879602-0|oclc=24502140|access-date=10 September 2012|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917041336/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Noah|url-status=dead}}.</ref> and the angel [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] is a being of significant standing, even though he has never been identified with any mortal prophet.<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|128|21}}</ref>

==Islam==
{{See also|Islamic view of angels}}

In [[Islam]], the mentioned archangels<ref>{{bulleted list|{{cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=James R.|last2=Oliver|first2=Evelyn Dorothy|title=Angels A to Z|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=56B7fmmlt6QC&q=Mikhail+archangel+Michael&pg=PR18|year=2008|publisher=Visible Ink Press|isbn=9781578592579|page=xviii}}|{{cite book|last=Davidson|first=Gustav|author-link=Gustav Davidson|title=A dictionary of angels: including the fallen angels|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ed7yHWuTEewC|year=1967|publisher=Free Press|isbn=9780029070505}}|{{cite book|last1=Noegel|first1=Scott B.|last2=Wheeler|first2=Brannon M.|title=Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6aTXAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810843059}}
}}</ref> (''Karubiyin'')<ref>Gaudefroy-Demombynes,&nbsp;M.&nbsp;(2013).&nbsp;Muslim Institutions.&nbsp;Vereinigtes Königreich:&nbsp;Taylor & Francis. p. 49</ref> in the Islamic exegetical traditions are:
* [[Gabriel]] (Jibrāʾīl or Jibrīl in Arabic). Gabriel is said to be the archangel responsible for transmitting God's revelations to all prophets, including revealing the [[Quran]] to Prophet Muhammad and inducing him to recite it. Various [[hadith]]s (traditions) mention his role in delivering messages from "God the Almighty" to the prophets.
* [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] (Mīkāʾīl or Mīkāl in Arabic). Michael is often depicted as the archangel of mercy who is responsible for bringing rain and thunder to Earth.<ref>{{qref|2|98|b=y}}</ref>
* [[Raphael (archangel)|Raphael]] ([[Israfil|Isrāfīl]] or Rafāʾīl in Arabic). The name is not mentioned in the Quran. Considered in Islam by some to be the angel of the trumpet responsible for signalling the coming of Judgment Day.<ref>{{qref|69|13|b=y}}</ref>
* [[Azrael]] (ʿAzrāʾīl in Arabic, also called Malak al-Mawt, literally "angel of death"). Taking the soul of the dead to heaven or hell in the intermediary realm (''[[Barzakh]]'').

==Gnosticism==
In the [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] codex ''[[On the Origin of the World]]'', the [[Aeon (Gnosticism)|aeon]] named [[Sophia (Gnosticism)|Sophia]] sends seven archangels from her light to save the [[Archon (Gnosticism)|Archon]] Sabaoth, the son of [[Demiurge#Yaldabaoth|Yaldabaoth]], after the authorities of [[Chaos (cosmogony)|Chaos]] make war in the [[Seven Heavens]]. He is then placed in a divine kingdom above the twelve gods of Chaos and becomes the consort of Zoe (the primordial [[Eve]]), who gives him knowledge of the eighth heaven, while the seven archangels stand before them.<ref name=":Barnstone, Meyer">{{Cite book|author1=[[Marvin Meyer]]|author2=[[Willis Barnstone]]|title=The Gnostic Bible|publisher=[[Shambhala Publications|Shambhala]]|chapter=On the Origin of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1SEFmwEACAAJ|date=June 30, 2009|isbn=9781590306314 |access-date=2022-02-02}}</ref> In the ''[[Sophia of Jesus Christ]]'' and ''[[Epistle of Eugnostos|Eugnostos the Blessed]]'', the [[Adam Kadmon#Gnosticism|primordial Adam]] creates myriads of [[deity|gods]] and archangels without number.<ref name=":Robinson">{{Cite book|author=[[James M. Robinson]]|title=The Nag Hammadi Library in English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L9Y3AAAAIAAJ|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|date=1984|chapter=Eugnostos the Blessed and The Sophia of Jesus Christ|isbn=9004071857 |access-date=2022-02-03}}</ref>

==Occultism==
[[Occult]]ists sometimes associate archangels in Kabbalistic fashion with various seasons or elements, or even colours. In some Kabbalah-based systems of [[ceremonial magic]], the main four (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel) are invoked to guard the four quarters (directions) and their corresponding colours are associated with magical properties.<ref>[http://www.paganspath.com/meta/angels4.htm The Pagan's Path], Metaphysics 101: The Archangels</ref> In the [[lesser ritual of the pentagram]], the invocation includes: "Before me Raphael; Behind me Gabriel; On my right hand Michael; On my left hand  Uriel."<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos026.htm "On the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram"] from ''The Internet Book of Shadows'' at [http://sacred-texts.com Sacred-texts.com]</ref>

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Angels in art]]
* [[Angel of the Lord]]
* [[Archdemon]]
* [[Bene Elohim]]
* [[Fallen angel]]
* [[List of angels in theology]]
* [[Kami]]
* [[Olympian spirits]]
* [[Saint Michael in the Catholic Church]]
* [[Seven Archangels]]
* [[Sopo Archangels]], Colombian Baroque paintings
* [[Yazata]]
{{Div col end}}

{{Clear}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Works cited===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Boyce|first=Mary|title=Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism|year=1984|location=Manchester, UK|publisher=Manchester University Press}}
*Hall, James, ''Hall's Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art'', 1996 (2nd edn.), John Murray, {{ISBN|0719541476}}
*{{Cite book|editor1-last=Metzger|editor1-first=Bruce M.|editor2-last=Coogan|editor2-first=Michael D.|year=1993|title=The Oxford Companion to the Bible|location=Oxford, UK|publisher=Oxford University Press|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195046458|isbn=0-19-504645-5|url-access=registration}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Archangels}}
* [http://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/fatwa_secrets.html The World of Djinn and Its Secrets]
* [http://mailstar.net/zoroastrianism.html The Zoroastrian Religion and its Progeny]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103244 Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers]—Orthodox [[icon]] and [[synaxarion]]

{{Angels in Abrahamic Religions}}
{{Christian angelic hierarchy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Archangels| ]]
[[Category:Classes of angels]]