rarchy and the fallen angles of hell.The creation of the angelic hierarchy is attributed to Pseudo-Dionysius. St Ambrose is responsible for the categories of angels which were taken from traditions whose origins are lost in time (Bloom 59). There are three hierarchies, each with three orders. The Upper Triad: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. The Middle Triad: Dominations, Virtues, and Powers. The Lowest Triad: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels (Guiley 17). The Upper Triad: The first triad seems to be centered around a central core of purity and light, closest to God. It is only in the third choir, the last choir of the triad that matter begins to appear. The First Choir - Seraphim: These angels are the highest of God's angelic order. Their names mean "burning ones" (Lang 49). The only mention of Seraphs in the bible is Isa 6:2. They circle the throne of God chanting in Hebrew the Trisagion "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh," which is "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory" (Godwin 25). The Seraphim are identified with the serpent or dragon. They are in direct communion with God and are of such pure thought and light, they resonate with "the fire of love" (Guiley 17). They are known as the "fiery flying serpents of lightning," who "roar like lions" (Godwin 25). When these angels appeared to the prophet Isaiah, he described them as flaming angels above the throne of God: "Each had six wings: two Crosby 2covered the face, two covered the feet and two were used for flying" ( Lang 49). It is said that the archangel Michael was a Seraph. The Seraphim chief is said to be either Metatron or Lucifer; others are said to be Kemuel, Nathanael, and Gabriel (Bloom 61). Their ultimate goal is in guiding those below to God (Guiley 17). The Second Choir - Cherubim: The Hebrew word for cherub was kerub meaning "one who intercedes" or "knowledge." Cherubs are often depicted as pudgy, cute baby...
