Seven Archangels

A system of seven archangels is an old tradition originating in Christianity. However, the earliest reference to a system of seven archangels as a group appears to be in "Enoch I" (the Book of Enoch) which is not part of the Jewish Scriptures, where they are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel and Remiel.

Early mentions

In the late 5th to early 6th century , Pseudo-Dionysius gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Chamuel, Jophiel, and Zadkiel.

The earliest Christian mention is by Pope Gregory I who lists them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Simiel, Orifiel, and Zachariel.

Current traditions

The Eastern Orthodoxy tradition venerates Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel.

Another Catholic variation lists them corresponding to the days of the week as: Michael (Sunday), Gabriel (Monday), Raphael (Tuesday), Uriel (Wednesday), Sealtiel (Thursday), Jhudiel (Friday), and Barachiel (Saturday).

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition the seven archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Zadakiel, Sarathiel and Aniel.

In Anglican and Episcopal tradition, there are three or four archangels in its calendar for September 29 feast for St. Michael and All Angels (also called Michaelmas: namely Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, [ [http://www.excitingholiness.org/first-edition/index.cgi?m09/d29.html Oremus.org website] . Retrieved September 15, 2008.] and often, Uriel. [ [http://www.urielsg.org/Sections-read-7.html Saint Uriel Church website patron Saint web page] . Retrieved September 15, 2008.] [Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 380.] [ [http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/254.html Anglican.org website Michaelmas page] . Retrieved September 15, 2008.] [ [http://www.stgeorgeslennoxville.com/WhatareAnglicansAnyway.dsp St. George's Lennoxville website, What Are Anglicans, Anyway? page] . Retrieved September 15, 2008.] [ [http://christchurcheureka.org/documents/ChronicleSeptember.pdf Christ Church Eureka website, September Feasts page] . Retrieved September 15, 2008.]

In the more modern angelology, different sources disagree on the names and identities of the seven archangels. In the Book of Enoch, Remeil is also described as one of the leaders of the 200 Grigori, the fallen angels. Various occult systems associate each archangel with one of the traditional seven "luminaries" — the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn — but there is disagreement as to which archangel corresponds to which body.

The seven archangels figure in some systems of ritual magic, each archangel bearing a specific seal.

ee also

*Hierarchy of angels
*Olympian spirits
*Shoulder angels
*Archeia