Angels were created as messengers of God. The Scriptures revealthat 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 includeMichael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and the fallenLucifer. Before outlining the roles of the two that have been mostprominent with man in the divine plan of the universe, it is requiredto cite him who has been the source of evil in our world with whomothers, divine and mortal have had to contend with over the centuriessince the dawn of man.
Lucifer, whose ambitions were a distortion of God's plan, is knownto us as the fallen angel, with the use of many names, among whichare Satan, Belial, Beelzebub and the Devil. An outcast since hisexpulsion from Paradise, this force of evil has been a thorn in theside of mankind and in all probability responsible for the miserieswhich Christianity has been striving to eliminate throughout theworld.
The Archangel Michael is the outstanding figure in the eyes of theGreek Orthodox Church and is depicted in the many houses of worshipin an icon always on the extreme left where he is pictured as aguardian of Paradise from whence Adam and Eve were evicted. In someicons he is seen with a flaming sword as a symbol of therighteousness that called for the casting out of the Garden of Edenof Adam and Eve after they had fallen victim to Satan in the form ofa serpent. Among other things, it was Archangel Michael who was sentby God to countermand the command of God himself that Abrahamsacrifice the life of his own son Isaac. Archangel Michael was alsothe messenger who warned Lot to flee from the wicked cities of Sodomand Gomorrah.
Archangel Michael's involvement with mankind is also seen in otherways, including his protection of Jacob from the wrath of his brotherEsau over a matter of inheritance for which there are probate courtstoday. The Scriptures also tell us that it was Michael who battledthe Devil for the soul of Moses following the death of the founder ofthe Israel nation. The Devil based his claim on the soul of the greatMoses on the basis of Moses having killed an Egyptian prior to theExodus, but the defence of the monumental figure of the Bible byMichael saved the soul of Moses from the clutches of Satan.
We are further told that it was Michael who stood by Joshua duringhis first encounter with his enemies in the land of Canaan. Mentionedin the New Testament numerous times, in which his lofty position isrecognised, accounting for many miracles recounted as beingattributed to the handiwork of Michael, chief of which is thechanging of the course of a river at a place called Chonais in AsiaMinor.
Michael's many miracles are commemorated by the church onSeptember 6 of each calendar year.
A sweep of the eyes to the other end of the icon screen in GreekOrthodox churches falls on the Icon of St. Gabriel, seeming like twinsentinel with Michael over all mankind. Gabriel's name is synonymouswith redemption, particularly since he was chosen to be sent by Godto bring the electrifying news to the Virgin Mary that she was aboutto become the mother of God. What ensued changed the course ofhistory and brought the promise of the deliverance of man throughJesus Christ. On the left is the symbol of guilt, on the right thesymbol of salvation and between those can be seen the inspiringspiritual greats who have woven an enduring fabric to clothe allmankind and keep him from exposures that are life threatening.
Few are aware of the assignments of the lesser known and not sooften mentioned saints, aside from Michael and Gabriel and the fallenone. Scant mention is made of the others but much could be made outof their responsibilities as ordained by God through painstakingstudy of Scriptures which the average reader overlooks because ofwhat is considered more interesting or engrossing. Gabriel isprincipally mentioned in the Book of Daniel but there are others whohave been mentioned who could do with considerably moreattention.
Too little is said of Raguel, who is in charge of the spirits ofhumans but Sariel, whose duties are not defined whose role as avengerupon the world of lights is somewhat confusing. This brings us downto Sariel, whose duties are not clearly defined. However there is aclear definition of Uriel's role as leader of angelic hosts who guardthe underworld (Sheol). Together this holy group is honoured with afeast day on November 8.