Archangel

Paolo de Matteis - The Annunciation

Four Archangels, St John's Church, Warminster, Wiltshire

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel

GuidoReni MichaelDefeatsSatan

Archangels in Emly

Archangel refers to a being of high rank in the celestial hierarchy. Traditionally found in various religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, archangels are considered to be powerful spiritual entities who serve God or the divine and perform a variety of tasks including delivering messages, battling evil, and overseeing the cosmos and the natural world. The concept of archangels has also permeated popular culture, appearing in literature, art, and media.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "archangel" itself comes from the Greek word archangelos, meaning chief angel or leading angel. This is derived from the Greek words arche (beginning, first in time, or power) and angelos (messenger, envoy, one who announces).

In Religion[edit | edit source]

Christianity[edit | edit source]

In Christianity, the most widely recognized archangels are Michael, who is often depicted as a warrior fighting Satan, and Gabriel, known for announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary. The New Testament does not provide a specific number of archangels, but the tradition of seven archangels has become popular, especially in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic teachings, drawing from apocryphal texts.

Judaism[edit | edit source]

In Judaism, archangels also play a significant role, with Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel being the most commonly mentioned. These beings are seen as God's messengers and protectors of humanity, each with specific duties and domains, such as healing and protection.

Islam[edit | edit source]

Islam recognizes several archangels, with Jibril (Gabriel) and Mikail (Michael) being the most prominent. In Islamic tradition, Jibril is responsible for conveying God's messages to the prophets, including revealing the Quran to Muhammad.

In Popular Culture[edit | edit source]

Archangels have been a popular subject in various forms of art and literature, often depicted as powerful and majestic beings. They appear in numerous fantasy novels, movies, and television shows, sometimes reimagined with different attributes or roles but typically retaining their essence as divine messengers and warriors.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Archangel Resources
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