The Celestial Hierarchies of Dionysius: The Nine Choirs of Angels

A Fifth century text, purportedly by a disciple of St Paul, was the first attempt to categorize the various angels mentioned in the Bible.  This work, Celestial Hierarchies, which defines nine choirs of angels grouped into three orders, is the prime source of Christian angel lore.

The Nine Choirs of Angels
 
First order:  Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones
Second order:  Dominions, Powers, Virtues
Third order:  Principalities, Archangels, Angels
 

Angels are commonly associated with light and in the same way, Dionysius considered the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones of his first order of angels to be akin to fire. The Seraphim, who have three pairs of red wings, reflect the radiance of God and the fire of love. The Cherubim, who have a single pair of blue wings, reflect divine knowledge. They are thought to be derived from the Ka-ri-bu, the monstrous guardians of Babylonian temples. The Thrones are interpreted as signifying Steadfastness.

The second order is difficult to understand and even Dionysius is not clear on the nature of these angels. However each choir in this order is related to its corresponding choir in the first and third orders. He refers to the Dominions as true lords and they reflect the love of the Seraphim as do the Principalities of the third order. The Powers embody the laws of the cosmos and the workings of destiny and fate and reflect the Knowledge of the Cherubim in the first order, which is then manifested in our world by the Archangels of the third order. The angels known as Virtues have the task of infusing base matter with divine qualities and are thought to convey the blessings of God and to perform miracles.

The third order has contact with our world and mankind. The Principalities are described by Dionysius as benign princes and are mentioned by St Paul. The Archangels each have different functions; Michael is the leader of the heavenly armies, Raphael is associated with healing and death. There are seven Archangels according to Christian tradition and many more in the Judaic tradition while Islam cites four. Angels, who comprise the ninth choir, are the heavenly messengers.

Guardian angels are found in many cultures including the Romans and the Persians. According to the Prophet Muhammed, every created thing has an angel, even raindrops. Ordinary people have ordinary angels, but great souls have angels from higher choirs. Muhammed's guardian angel was Gabriel, while St. Francis received the stigmata from one of the Seraphim.