Archangels, the paramount celestial beings in the heavenly hierarchy, are bestowed with the most pivotal tasks by the Divine. They traverse the ethereal and earthly realms, executing divine missions aimed at aiding humanity. Each archangel oversees a cadre of angels, each endowed with specialised abilities—ranging from healing to enlightenment—working in unison across the luminous spectra tailored to their designated tasks. The term 'archangel' originates from the Greek words 'arche' (ruler) and 'angelos' (messenger), encapsulating their dual role of governing over angels whilst conveying divine messages to mortals.
Archangels across Various Faiths
Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each provide insights into the archangels within their respective religious doctrines and traditions. Despite acknowledging the immense power of archangels, theological disparities exist regarding their nature.While some religious scriptures enumerate specific archangels, others offer a broader spectrum. Although traditionally portrayed as male, the gender of angels remains ambiguous, with many believing them to transcend earthly notions of gender. It is speculated that the multitude of angels is beyond human comprehension, known only to the Divine.
In the Heavenly Realm
In the celestial realm, archangels bask in the divine presence, extolling and seeking divine guidance for their earthly endeavours. Additionally, they engage in spiritual warfare against malevolence, with Archangel Michael often leading the charge against darkness, as depicted in various religious texts.On Earth
Whilst believers assert that guardian angels are assigned to individuals, archangels are dispatched for larger-scale interventions. Archangel Gabriel, renowned for delivering significant messages throughout history, plays a pivotal role in religious narratives, such as announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary in Christian theology, and revealing the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad in Islamic tradition.Seven archangels oversee angelic teams tasked with answering prayers, aligning with their respective specialisations represented by different light rays:
- Blue (led by Archangel Michael, symbolising power and protection)
- Yellow (led by Archangel Jophiel, representing wisdom)
- Pink (led by Archangel Chamuel, embodying love and peace)
- White (led by Archangel Gabriel, signifying purity and harmony)
- Green (led by Archangel Raphael, representing healing and prosperity)
- Red (led by Archangel Uriel, symbolising wise service)
- Purple (led by Archangel Zadkiel, representing mercy and transformation)
Their names reflect their divine roles, suffixed with 'el' ('in God'). For instance, Archangel Raphael, whose name means 'God heals,' is often associated with delivering spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental healing to those in need. Similarly, Archangel Uriel's name, meaning 'God is my light,' signifies the illumination of divine truth amidst human confusion, guiding seekers towards wisdom.
