Angels were created as messengers of God. The
Scriptures reveal that God created nine orders of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim,
Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, and Angels.
Out of this order come the familiar seven Archangels which include Michael,
Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and the fallen Lucifer. Before
outlining the roles of the two that have been most prominent with man in the
divine plan of the universe, it is required to cite him who has been the source
of evil in our world with whom others, divine and mortal have had to contend
with over the centuries since the dawn of man.
Lucifer, whose ambitions were a distortion of God's
plan, is known to us as the fallen angel, with the use of many names, among which
are Satan, Belial, Beelzebub and the Devil. An outcast since his expulsion from
Paradise, this force of evil has been a thorn in the side of mankind and in all
probability responsible for the miseries which Christianity has been striving
to eliminate throughout the world.
The Archangel Michael is the outstanding figure in the
eyes of the Greek Orthodox Church and is depicted in the many houses of worship
in an icon always on the extreme left where he is pictured as a guardian of
Paradise from whence Adam and Eve were evicted. In some icons he is seen with a
flaming sword as a symbol of the righteousness that called for the casting out
of the Garden of Eden of Adam and Eve after they had fallen victim to Satan in
the form of a serpent. Among other things, it was Archangel Michael who was
sent by God to countermand the command of God himself that Abraham sacrifice
the life of his own son Isaac. Archangel Michael was also the messenger who
warned Lot to flee from the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Archangel Michael's involvement with mankind is also
seen in other ways, including his protection of Jacob from the wrath of his
brother Esau over a matter of inheritance for which there are probate courts
today. The Scriptures also tell us that it was Michael who battled the Devil
for the soul of Moses following the death of the founder of the Israel nation.
The Devil based his claim on the soul of the great Moses on the basis of Moses
having killed an Egyptian prior to the Exodus, but the defence of the monumental
figure of the Bible by Michael saved the soul of Moses from the clutches of
Satan.
We are further told that it was Michael who stood by
Joshua during his first encounter with his enemies in the land of Canaan.
Mentioned in the New Testament numerous times, in which his lofty position is
recognised, accounting for many miracles recounted as being attributed to the
handiwork of Michael, chief of which is the changing of the course of a river
at a place called Chonais in Asia Minor.
Michael's many miracles are commemorated by the church
on September 6 of each calendar year.
A sweep of the eyes to the other end of the icon
screen in Greek Orthodox churches falls on the Icon of St. Gabriel, seeming
like twin sentinel with Michael over all mankind. Gabriel's name is synonymous
with redemption, particularly since he was chosen to be sent by God to bring
the electrifying news to the Virgin Mary that she was about to become the
mother of God. What ensued changed the course of history and brought the promise
of the deliverance of man through Jesus Christ. On the left is the symbol of
guilt, on the right the symbol of salvation and between those can be seen the
inspiring spiritual greats who have woven an enduring fabric to clothe all
mankind and keep him from exposures that are life threatening.
Few are aware of the assignments of the lesser known
and not so often mentioned saints, aside from Michael and Gabriel and the
fallen one. Scant mention is made of the others but much could be made out of
their responsibilities as ordained by God through painstaking study of
Scriptures which the average reader overlooks because of what is considered
more interesting or engrossing. Gabriel is principally mentioned in the Book of
Daniel but there are others who have been mentioned who could do with
considerably more attention.
Too little is said of Raguel, who is in charge of the
spirits of humans but Sariel, whose duties are not defined whose role as
avenger upon the world of lights is somewhat confusing. This brings us down to
Sariel, whose duties are not clearly defined. However there is a clear
definition of Uriel's role as leader of angelic hosts who guard the underworld
(Sheol). Together this holy group is honoured with a feast day on November 8.
SOURCE : Orthodoxchristian.info
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