Archangel Raphael

 

By Bishop Mettaous

 

 [Intercede on our behalf, O holy Archangels

Raphael and Sourial that He may forgive us our

sins]

Raphael: a Hebrew name which means the compassion

of God. He healed Tobiath’s eyes, regaining his money

and helping Tobit his son getting married.

The church celebrates his commemoration on 3 Nesi,

when his church was built and consecrated by Pope

Theophilus the 23rd.

Sourial: a Hebrew name which means the “blower of

God’, the church celebrates him on 27 Tubah, and it is

written: [On this day the church celebrates Archangel

Sourial, who announced the salvation to Adam and saved

Joseph the Righteous from the Egyptian woman.

􀂙 [Intercede on our behalf holy archangels

Sadakiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel, that He may

forgive us our sins].

These archangels are chief angels above some other

angels, under the general chief Archangel Michael.

􀂙 [Intercede on our behalf O Thrones,

Dominions, Powers, the Cherubim and the

Seraphim, that He may forgive us our sins]

These are the names of 5 great ranks of angels, they are

so sublime in their light and power, as well as being so

close to God.

The Thrones: they are the angels forming the glorious

chairs of the Divine Might.

The Dominions: The spirits that have dominions on

people and angels in less ranks.

The Powers: the angels whom God have granted great

powers to perform miracles.

The Cherubim: mean the angels with great knowledge

and wisdom. The singular is Cherub.

The Seraphim: mean the angels blazing with fire. The

singular is Seraph.

The Cherubim are described as ‘full of eyes’ and the

Seraphim ”with wings’, glorifying God without ceasing.

􀂙 [Intercede on our behalf O four incorporeal

beasts, the ministers fervent as fire, that He may

forgive us our sins]

They are the rank of Thrones, carrying the throne of God,

“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.

And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne,

were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in

back.” (Rev. 4:6) also, “And above the firmament over

their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance

like a sapphire stone; on the likenessof the throne was

al ikeness with the appearance of a man high above it.”

(Ezek.1: 26)

The church celebrates their commemoration on 8 Hatour.

􀂙 [Intercede on our behalf O Priest of the truth,

the twenty four Presbyters, that He may forgive us

our sins]

These luminous priests are a spiritual rank, surrounding

the Throne of God, interceding for humankind, offering

God the prayers of the saints as incense coming out from

the censers, which they are carrying. Each one of them

has a violin with which he praises the Lord without

ceasing. All the angels and heavenly hosts are standing

around God’s Throne, but these presbyters are sitting on

chairs of light, carrying golden censers, and violins,

bowing and worshipping in front of the True Lamb,

asking forgiveness for human kind.

The church celebrates their commemoration on 24

Hatour.

􀂙 [Intercede on our behalf O Angelic hosts and all

the Heavenly multitudes before the Lord, that He

may forgive us our sins]

Here, we are asking the intercession of the 9 heavenly

hosts altogether:

1. The Cherubim

2. The Seraphim

3. The Thrones

4. The Dominions

5. The Multitudes

6. The Authorities

7. The Powers

8. The Archangels

9. The Angels

The 10th rank are the saints who won victory on earth and

after their departure they inherit the Heavenly Kingdom,

being with the heavenly hosts, praising the Lord

continuously as well as interceding on our behalf before

the Throne of Grace.

There are a whole lot of different jobs delegated by God

to these heavenly hosts such as: praying of the depressed

people, serving the saints, guarding the believers,

carrying the souls of the departed, fighting and defeating

the devils, because as it is written in the Holy Bible, “Are

they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for

those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)

||    Pope Shenouda    ||    Father Matta    ||    Bishop Mattaous    ||    Fr. Tadros Malaty    ||    Bishop Moussa    ||    Bishop Alexander    ||    Habib Gerguis    ||    Bishop Angealos    ||    Metropolitan Bishoy    ||