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This article is designed to give us insight on what is an angel, Meaning of Archangel, the number of the Archangel, names of Archangel, roles and feast days of the Archangel. At the end, the reader is expected a fair if not a wide knowledge of the meaning , names, number and roles of all the Archangels and their feast days .
What is an Angel?
An angel is a supernatural spiritual being who is God’s servant, according to various religions. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God and humanity
An angel is a celestial being; they are the first born of all creations. (Nehemiah 9:6) describes them as the “host” or “armies” of heaven, they carry out God’s plan and glorify him, they are messengers of God.
It should be noted that an archangel means chief angel, the word “Arch” means, chief. Archangels are also given the most important messages that must be delivered to humans. They are messengers with higher ranks. The archangels are protectors of the entire mankind. The most popular archangels, who are present in most of the beliefs, are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
There is no known knowledge on the exact numbers of angels in existence but Hebrews 12:22 says But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, this shows that there are a lot of angels.
Unfortunately no one knows the actual look of the angels but the bible in Ezekiel 1:5-6 describes them, it says also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures and this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man and every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
The Archangel Michael
The name Michael means ”who is like God” . He is known as the leader who remained faithful to God and cast Lucifer away from heaven at God’s command.
His first role is the leader of the Army of God and the leader of heaven’s forces in their triumph over the powers of hell. The numerous representations of Michael in art reflect his character as a warrior: he is shown with a sword, in combat with or triumph over a dragon, from the story in the book of revelation (Apocalypse).
His second duty is to lead the souls of the departed from this life and present them to our Lord for the particular judgment, and at the end of time, for the final judgment.
His third role is, he is the main angel of death, and he weighing people’s souls on scales symbolizes this.
The fourth role of arch angel Michael The great prince” is to protect God’s people even during the struggle between good and evil at the end of the world giving them the chance to redeem themselves before the end of their death.
Feast day
His feast day differs according to the belief and doctrine of the denominations of the church.
The new calendar eastern orthodox churches celebrate their feast day on 8 November
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates theirs on the 29th September 2021.
St Michael is the patron St. of mariners, police officer’s, paratroopers, and military personnel’s.
Archangel Raphael
Raphael’s name means “God heals, he is the one of the three known archangels, Tobit 12:14-15 says, “And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy daughter in law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.” This is was where he made himself known. His main duty is healing. October 24 as Raphael’s feast day.
He is the patron St. of the blind, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, medical workers, matchmakers, Christian marriage, and Catholic studies.
Archangel Gabriel
The angel Gabriel is the angel who announced to Mary the mother of Jesus that she has been chosen to bear the child Jesus.
His duty is to make God’s message understandable to people and helps them to accept it with a pure heart, the name Gabriel means God is my strength; his feast day is 24 March.
He is the patron St. of messengers, those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, postal workers, clerics, diplomats, and stamp collectors.
Archangel Uriel
Uriel is the fourth angel: Uriel means the light of God he is one of the seven archangels and he is the patron saint of art and sciences, he shines the light of God’s truth, people pray to him when. The archangel Uriel was the angel God sent to tell Noah about the flood.
The arch angel Uriel was mentioned in the book of Enoch, Enoch 21:3, it says, There, too, I beheld seven stars of heaven bound in it together, like great mountains, and like a blazing fire. I exclaimed, for what species of crime have they been bound, and why have they been removed to this place? Then Uriel, one of the holy angels who were with me, and who conducted me, answered: Enoch, wherefore dost thou ask; wherefore reason with thyself, and anxiously inquire? These are those of the stars, which have transgressed the commandment of the most high God; and are here bound, until the infinite number of the days of their crimes be completed. In some gospel, Uriel was the one who rescued john the Baptist from the king Herod. His feast day is 10th October.
Archangel Remiel:
He is the fifth angel, the name Ramiel means thunder of God, it also means mercy of God, he is the angel who helps ease the pain of the dying and guides souls of the departed faithful to heaven. He is the angel you call when you are feeling unhappy.
He is the patron saint of the anointing of the sick, which is a sacrament given to the sick, he is also said to be the patron saints of shamans and prophets. The Book of Enoch describes Ramiel differently. First it describes him as a holy angel. And then as a fallen one
Archangel Raguel
Raguel is the sixth angel, his name is said to mean “Friend of God” and he is the Archangel of Justice and Fairness, he helps you find peace and harmony in your situations, also his is the archangel of speech. He ensures that the fallen angels are under control, keeps the fallen angels in check; he ensures that they do not over step. He is the patron saint of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He is associated with Mars and Friday in the occult literature.
Archangel Saraqael:
The Archangel Saraqeal is the seventh archangel, the name saraqael is said to mean God’s command, and he is the angel who is in charge of the spirits of men who cause the spirit to sin. Enoch 20:6 Saraqael is listed as one of the fallen angels who lusted after human women, but he is also listed later as one of God’s holiest angels.
Archangel saraqael is the patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony which is marriage.
Picture credit : Wikipaedia