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In almost all religions, spirits intercede with the celestial powers on behalf of humans to announce and implement divine wishes and help those who request assistance. In western culture, these pure and perfect spirits are called “angels” and they are generally winged.
The universe of the angels is relatively complex and codified. The kabbalah and the treatise Celestial Hierarchy, written in the Sixth century by the Syrian monk Dionysius the Areopagite, are classical references about the organization of the family of angels, which includes, among others, the guardian angels, who serve as the personal protectors of all believers.
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Kabbalah
Kabbalah is a Hebrew word that means “tradition” and comes from “kabbel”, which means “receiving”. The Kabbalah is a Jewish mystic tradition that refers to the oral tradition received by Moses on Mount Sinai (the ten commandments). According to tradition, God taught the kabbalah to the angels who in turn taught it to men. Its doctrine includes a study of angels (72), defined as Divine ministers assisted by the guardian angels.
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Celestial Hierarchy
There are nine angelic choirs and three triads. The first triad includes the angels closest to God (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones); the second includes the middle angels (Dominions, Virtues, Powers); and the third triad includes the angels closest to human beings (Principalities, Archangels, Angels).
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With this series of chronicles, we invite you to take part in an overview of the various aspects of angelic devotion, through its material and immaterial expressions. Toponymy, symbolic meaning and pious images – we will see that angels, who are anchored in time and space, are part of daily life and the religious heritage that has taken firm root since New France.
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