Three hierarchies are distinguished in the Angelic ranks: Higher, Middle and Lower. And each of the hierarchies consists of three levels.
Seraphim and Cherubim belong to the first and second steps of the highest hierarchy, the third are the Thrones.
Who are Cherubim and Seraphim
The closest to the Holy Trinity are the Seraphim. Their name comes from the ancient Hebrew word - saraf, which translated means fire, fiery, and also snake-like lightning.
Seraphim are flaming with their love for God and encourage people to it. They transmit the will of the Lord to other ranks.
Cherubim are considered the second closest to God after the Seraphim. In the Ancient Scriptures (Book of Genesis), the Cherub guards the entrance to the Garden of Eden, with a sword of flame.
In the description of the Ark of the Covenant with the Tablets, Cherubim are also mentioned, sitting on the lid of the Ark and covering it with their wings.
Differences seraphim cherubim thrones
Early memories of the Seraphim are already in ancient books (for example, the Prophet Isaiah) where their description is as follows:
- they have 6 wings;
- They cover their face with 2 wings (so as not to look into the face of God);
- They cover their body with 2 wings so as not to blind people with their bright light;
- they fly on the remaining two.
- The seraphim constantly glorify the Lord with songs: Holy is God Almighty!... It also talks about Seraphim, where he cleanses the prophet from filth with a burning coal.
Another ancient book from the Prophet Areopagite says:
- Seraphim are in continuous rapid movement near the divine;
- everyone around is pierced with bright fire;
- free hearts from sins and ignite;
- their image is unquenchable.
It is difficult to reproduce the exact visual appearance of the Seraphim. According to the understanding of the Venerable Great Anthony:
- Seraphim had six wings “filled with eyes.”
- He had four faces, and they looked in four directions.
- The first face was like that of a person. It means “faithful” Christians who were baptized and kept God’s commandments.
- The second is the face of a Taurus. Those “faithful” who decided to go into monasticism, and where they accepted hard work in order to fulfill all the rules of the monks and perform physical deeds.
- The third is the face of a lion. Being like a lion means that “they are fighting the dark forces of evil” after improving their way of life.
- The fourth is the face of an eagle. After the “faithful” one defeats invisible enemies and then copes with his passions, he will see God. After this it will be equal to the face of an eagle. And his mind will begin to see everything around him, and wings full of eyes will grow on 6 sides.
After four stages, the “faithful” one became a spiritual Seraphim and inherited eternal bliss.
The descriptions of Cherubim in ancient sources and the Bible are different, one describes the following:
- its name means the highest knowledge, absolute wisdom, illumination for the true knowledge of God comes through the Cherubim;
- wings, head, body, legs - everything is in the eyes, since wisdom contemplates everywhere;
- have 4 wings and a human face;
However, there is a description of the Cherubim that is similar to the Seraphim. Four faces are also described: man, lion, calf and eagle. A body similar to a human is described, but the legs are like those of a calf, and the hands are human. Near each face there is a wheel.
Thrones are in 3rd rank after Cherubim, they are holy disembodied spirits. On icons they are reproduced in the form of many-eyed whirlwinds of fire or tornadoes of wheels with wings. It is believed that God sits on the Thrones, like on a throne. They say about the Thrones that they are God-bearing. The thrones, completely mysteriously and incomprehensibly, carry the Lord and serve God’s justice.
Names of seraphim and cherubim
Archangel Uriel is an enlightener, carries the fiery light of knowledge and is considered to be placed above the Seraphim.
His usual image on all icons is with a sword in his right hand near his chest and with the fire of an enlightener in his left hand. His wings, like those of the Seraphim, are depicted as red.
Archangel Gabriel is placed in charge over the Cherubim, according to ancient scriptures.
And according to Christian traditions, Gabriel reveals the secret knowledge of God, the secrets of the future.
Images on icons and display in literature
As a rule, on icons the Seraphim are represented in a fiery red color. This is how their fiery essence, virtue, and superpowers are personified. On the icons the Seraphim are located next to God.
On icons and iconostasis, in the paintings of walls, church vaults, the Seraphim can be immediately seen by the bright red color of the six wings.
In literature, references to this Divine rite were written in verse:
- Pushkin A. S. “Prophet”;
- Gumilyov N. S. “About you”;
- By E. “The Phantom Castle.”
Unlike the red Seraphim, the Cherubim in icon painting were shown in light blue (azure). They can be seen on many icons and old church paintings.
Over time, artists who painted Seraphim and Cherubim gradually began to blur the lines of difference between them. The most important features that remain, according to icon painters, are the presence of wings and close proximity to God.
- (Heb. burning, flaming). Angels of the highest rank of the angelic hierarchy, flaming with love for God and kindling it in the hearts of others. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. SERAPHIM 1) (in Hebrew fiery)… … Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
SERAPHIM, one of the ranks of angels... Modern encyclopedia
- (Hebrew œerâphîm, “fiery”, “flaming”, from the root œrp with the meaning “burn”, “burn”, “sear”), in Judaic and Christian mythologies, angels who are especially close to the throne of God and glorify him. Their description is contained in... ... Encyclopedia of Mythology
One of the nine ranks of angels mentioned in the Holy. Scripture. S., according to the image of the prophet Isaiah, constitute the highest degree in the heavenly Hierarchy, closest to God. In the prophet's vision they are seen surrounding the throne of the Lord; they have… … Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
Seraphim- SERAPHIM, one of the ranks of angels. ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
- (the meaning of this word according to some: flame, burning, and according to others exalted, noble) one of the nine ranks of the heavenly hierarchy, closest to God, mentioned by St. Isaiah in connection with his vision (Is. 11: 2,6). In the vision of St. Isaiah, the seraphim... ... Bible. Old and New Testaments. Synodal translation. Biblical encyclopedia arch. Nikifor.
Religious terms
Seraphim- (Hebrew - fiery) - the highest angelic ranks in the heavenly hierarchy, standing directly at the throne of God and constantly glorifying it. Biblical sources say that they cleanse the mouth of the prophet Isaiah with hot coals from the altar... ... Fundamentals of spiritual culture (teacher's encyclopedic dictionary)
SERAPHIM— (Heb.) Heavenly beings described by Isaiah (vi, 2) as having a human form with the addition of three pairs of wings. Their Hebrew name is SHRPIM, and with the exception of the above case is translated as serpents, and is related to the verbal root SHRP,... ... Theosophical Dictionary
Books
- The extraordinary journey of Seraphim (DVD), Antonov Sergey. Sima Voskresenskaya, who lost her parents at the very beginning of the war, lives in an orphanage and secretly keeps a neck cross that reminds her of her beloved family. One day Sima meets Rita -...
- The Age of Faith of Mother Seraphim. The nun Seraphima, in the world of Nadezhda Nikitovna Mikheeva, faced the most difficult trials. A peasant girl from the Ryazan outback, who has never studied anywhere, she is still very young...
The ethereal heavenly forces in the Christian tradition have their own complex hierarchy. It is best presented in the work of an unknown author “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” (created at the turn of the 5th-6th centuries). Its authorship has long been attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens and an outstanding theologian, whose memory is honored on October 16 (3). According to this hierarchy, the 9 ranks of angels are divided into three degrees, faces or “spheres” - on icons they are often depicted precisely as spheres. The first sphere includes: Seraphim - burning, flaming, fiery. Six-winged angels close to the throne of the Creator, glorifying Him, flaming with love for God and encouraging others to do so. Cherubim are intercessors, minds, disseminators of knowledge, outpouring of wisdom, four-winged and four-faced angels. They continually contemplate God and transmit to the world the wisdom they receive from Him. In the Orthodox service at the liturgy, the Cherubic hymn is sung: “Like the Cherubim secretly form and the Life-giving Trinity sings the Trisagion hymn...”. Thrones are “God-bearing”, on them the Lord sits as if on a throne and pronounces His Judgment. The second face of angels: Dominions - they instruct earthly rulers in matters of governance, teach them to control their feelings, and tame sinful passions. Powers work miracles, send down the grace of miracles and clairvoyance to the saints of God. Authorities - have the power to tame the power of the devil. The third face of angels: Principalities or Beginnings - govern the world and the elements of nature. Archangels are the leaders of angels and heavenly teachers. Angels are the closest to our world, the heralds of God, telling people about God’s intentions and instructing people on the path of a virtuous and holy life.
Seraphim
Seraphim - in the Jewish and Christian traditions the highest angelic rank, closest to God
According to various references from apocryphal and canonical sources, seraphim are angels standing around God. The first mention of seraphim in the Bible is in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Old Testament); they appear in his story about a strange vision before being called to the Jerusalem temple:
“The Seraphim stood around Him; each of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And they called to each other and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! the whole earth is full of His glory!”
Based on a passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Dionysius the Areopagite defines the seraphim as the first among the angelic ranks and connects their nature with a fiery, burning love for light and purity. In his essay “On the Heavenly Hierarchy,” he writes that the seraphim are in constant motion around the divine and illuminate everything around with heat from their speed and infinity of flight, are able to elevate and liken lower beings to themselves, igniting their hearts, and also purify them “like lightning and all-consuming fire." Their image is luminous and has an undisguised and inextinguishable quality.
Cherubim
Cherubim are winged celestial creatures mentioned in the Bible. In the biblical concept of heavenly beings, together with the seraphim, they are the closest to God. In Christianity, the second rank of angels, next after the seraphim.
In Genesis 3:24, a cherub armed with a “flaming sword” guards the entrance to the Garden of Eden. David describes the cherubim as God's vehicle: “he mounted the cherubim and flew” (Ps. 17:11); a frequent epithet of God in the Old Testament is “He who sits on the cherubim.” The prophet Ezekiel, predicting the fall of the king of Tyre, compares him to a cherub, whose clothes were decorated with sparkling precious stones, who was cast out of the Garden of Eden to the earth by God because he fell into the sin of pride (Ezekiel 28:11-19).
The Bible contains several different descriptions of cherubim. The cherubim in the Tabernacle and in the Temple each have one face (Exodus 25:20) and two wings (Exodus 25:20, 1 Kings 6:24, 27). The Prophet Ezekiel in his vision (Ezekiel 1:5) describes the cherubim somewhat differently: these are humanoid creatures with four wings (two raised up and touching each other, and two down and covering the body), four legs, similar to a bull, but sparkling, "like shining brass", four arms under each of the four wings and four faces: a man and a lion (on the right side), a bull and an eagle (on the left). See tetramorph for more details. Near each of them there is a wheel. The entire body of the cherubs, their backs, their arms, their wings, as well as their wheels, are all covered with eyes. The mode of transportation is walking and flying.
Angels
Angel (ancient Greek ἄγγελος, angelos - “messenger, messenger”), in Abrahamic religions - a spiritual, ethereal being that communicates the will of God and has supernatural powers. Traditionally, an angel is depicted as an anthropomorphic creature with wings on its back.
Angels were usually depicted as fair-haired youths with wings (a symbol of freedom of spirit) wearing white linen clothes with gold belts. The habitat of angels is the heavens, which were created before the dense sky (Gen. 1.1, Gen. 1.8).
The power of Angels is bestowed by God. He determines for any Angel the abilities that the Angel will possess. Some abilities have been shown in many Christian tales:
- Be invisible to physical perception;
- The ability to fly in the spiritual;
- Ability to manifest in material:
- The ability to appear in the physical human body, the ability to influence the physical world;
- Vision through time, vision of both the face of the human soul and the thoughts of a person in the soul and in the gaze, the deep thoughts of a person’s heart;
- The ability to destroy entire cities;
- The possibility of sinful choice exists for angels in Christianity, but is absent in Islam and Judaism;
Angels also include archangels.
You can learn more about the difference between seraphim, cherubim and angels from the video:
The heavenly hierarchy has a complex structure. Angels are divided into several ranks, and each rank performs a unique function for the benefit of the universe. Every place is honorable in the divine structure, and yet the most responsible tasks are entrusted to the wiser and more experienced angels. The supreme angels included in the Creator’s inner circle include six-winged seraphim.
In this article
Who are seraphim
The name of this detachment is the plural of the Hebrew word "seraph" (in some dialects - "saraf"), which has several meanings. In meaning, this word is associated with fire and is translated as “flame” or “blazing”, “fiery”. Also, “seraph” in Hebrew means a flying serpent, so seraphim are associated in some texts with griffins or dragons.
Researchers of ancient mythology see a connection between the biblical seraphim and the character of sirrush from Babylonian myths. According to the image on the gate of the goddess Ishtar, the sirrush had a snake-like scaly body.
In the guise of fiery serpents, seraphim descend to Earth to fulfill God's will. They bring retribution against evil sinners and those who obstruct the prophets. When the Lord commanded Moses to put a serpent on the banner, it was specifically about the seraphim.
The Brass Serpent, 1907 illustration
Seraphim occupy the highest position in the angelic hierarchy. Their image is revealed in the Old Testament Book of the Prophet Isaiah. In his vision, the seraphim constituted God's inner circle. It is noteworthy that these creatures had three pairs of wings: with one pair they covered their faces, the second pair covered their legs, and the third pair served them for flight. At the same time, they sang the glory of the Lord. Isaiah then describes how one of the seraphim flew up to him and touched his lips with a burning coal. Thus the prophet was cleansed of previous sins.
Seraphim are also mentioned in the final part of the Bible - the Apocalypse. They appear as four animals that had six wings and also praised the name of the Lord. On icons, seraphim are often depicted in the red color spectrum. This emphasizes their fiery nature, as well as fantastic capabilities comparable to the power of God himself.
Famous seraphim and their names
As a rule, in the theological texts of Judaism and Christianity, seraphim appear without mentioning names. This emphasizes the high status of these beings in the divine hierarchy, and also indicates their righteousness and exceptional purity. They are the most devoted conductors of the will of the Lord.
Meanwhile, some sources contain information that the seraphim include famous angels. For example, in the era of early Christianity, Jehoel was known, leading a detachment of seraphim. It was Jehoel who possessed the secret knowledge of the true name of the Lord. As the leader of the seraphim, this supreme angel opposed Leviathan and protected people living on Earth from the aggression of this powerful demon.
In Christian texts, the angel Israel is also ranked among the seraphim, although other theologians classify him as a cherub. It is stated that Israel ranks sixth among the creatures closest to the Creator.
Some theologians assign the rank of seraphim to the angel Uriel. In any case, this status of Uriel is given to Christian non-canonical texts and apocrypha. However, official sources describe Uriel as an archangel with two wings, rather than a six-winged seraph.
The fallen angels led by Lucifer deserve a separate discussion. The latter, as is known, was the closest to God and could well belong to the rank of seraphim. It is possible that the highest demons Beelzebub, Asmodeus and Leviathan served under the Lord as seraphim before being cast into the underworld.
Having retained their former power, they took a supreme position in the hierarchy of dark forces. They are called the lords of hell, and they are entrusted with the most responsible mission - to lead people living on Earth astray from the true path, incite them to do bad deeds and take possession of their souls.
Seraphim in the treatise “On the Heavenly Hierarchy”
The theologian Dionysius the Areopagite, when describing the seraphim, relied on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Dionysius puts the seraphim at the head of the Heavenly Host, and he explains their fiery essence by the desire for light. Also, according to this text, fire represents cleansing from sins. Seraphim simply burn sinful thoughts and feelings, turning them into ashes.
Dionysius the Areopagite, mosaic at Hosios Loukas
These angels are in perpetual motion, instantly moving to any corner of the Universe. They illuminate the entire surrounding space with unquenchable light, delighting the righteous and terrifying sinners.
Prayers and appeals to the seraphim
In Orthodoxy, believers rarely turn directly to the seraphim. More common are prayers addressed to God, your guardian angel, or a specific saint. But there are calls to the Heavenly Powers, where seraphim are necessarily mentioned among God’s faithful helpers.
Such prayers invariably emphasize the power of the seraphim and their commitment to justice. Throughout human history, these six-winged angels have been an instrument of divine retribution, sometimes acting as angels of death, and therefore people turn to seraphim and other higher angels in exceptional cases. This is appropriate if the country is attacked by an enemy or the righteous are being persecuted.
An ordinary believer can ask the seraphim for support if he is planning an important matter aimed at benefiting people. But before you begin such a prayer, you must endure a week-long fast and be sure to go to church for confession. Here is the text of the appeal:
All holy Heavenly Ethereal Powers, grant me your power to crush all evil and passions under my feet.
Holy Ethereal Seraphim, deign me to have a flaming heart towards God.
Holy Ethereal Cherubim, deign me to have wisdom for the glory of God... Holy Ethereal Thrones, deign me to distinguish truth from untruth.
Holy Ethereal Dominions, deign me to rule over the passions, so that the spirit enslaves the flesh.
Holy Ethereal Powers, grant me the courage to fulfill the will of God.
Holy Incorporeality of Power, grant me the power of victory over evil.
Holy Ethereal Beginnings, deign me to serve the Lord God in the purity of my heart and the works of my hands.
Holy Ethereal Archangels, deign me to fulfill the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Ethereal Angels, deign me to guide the weak in enlightening them in the truth.
You can resort to a simpler prayer that does not require special conditions. Read it when you need angelic support.
We magnify you, Archangels and Angels and all the hosts, Cherubim and Seraphim, glorifying the Lord.
We magnify you, Archangels, Angels, Principalities, Powers, Thrones, Dominions, Powers and Cherubim, and terrible Seraphim, glorifying the Lord.
Conclusion
Despite the primary role of seraphim in the Kingdom of God, information about these six-winged creatures is not very extensive. We know very little about them. However, their bright image has always inspired poets and served as a spiritual guide for seekers of truth.
A little about the author:
Evgeniy Tukubaev The right words and your faith are the key to success in the perfect ritual. I will provide you with information, but its implementation directly depends on you. But don’t worry, a little practice and you will succeed!Cherubim (Kerubim) was appointed by God to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3.24). Golden images of cherubim decorated the lid of the Ark of the Covenant (one on two opposite narrow edges), covering it with their outstretched wings; their faces were turned towards each other and bowed down towards the lid (Exodus 25.18, Exodus 37.7ff.). The curtain was also woven with images of cherubim (Ex 36.35). In Solomon's Temple, in the Holy of Holies, there were two huge figures of cherubim made of olive wood, overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6.23ff.). In addition to the image of cherubim, there were on all the walls of the temple and the doorposts (1 Kings 6.29,32,35, 2 Chronicles 3.7), so that cherubim, along with lions, oxen and palm trees, made up the decoration of the temple (1 Kings 7.29,36). In the psalms, the cherubim are called the throne of the Most High (Ps 79.2, Ps 98.1). Since God wanted to appear to his people over the ark of the covenant, He is often called God “sitting on the cherubim” (1 Kings 4.4, 2 Kings 6.2, 2 Kings 19.15, Isa 37.16). In Ezekiel's vision, cherubim supported a transparent vault, above which rose a throne as if made of sapphire, and on it was the likeness of the glory of God in the form of a man, from whom emanated a radiance like a rainbow (Eze 1.22,26,28, Eze 10.18-20).
It is very difficult to obtain a clear understanding of the type of cherubs from the passages given above. In general they are understood as symbolic images of the glory and power of Yahweh as manifested in His creation. It is known that ancient peoples, when performing their worship, had different images that combined the features of various animals, symbolizing higher and more perfect beings than those that surrounded them in reality. Egyptian sphinxes, Assyrian winged bulls with a human face, Greek griffins. myths with eagle wings and lion claws that guarded the golden treasures of the north, etc., speak enough about this. It is believed that Moses, under the guidance of God, accepted this idea of a symbolic winged creature, known to all Jews, ennobling and spiritualizing this idea, clearing it of idolatrous ideas.
The Egyptians also had sacred arks decorated with winged images, but these arks contained cats, crocodiles and snakes as objects of worship. The Ark of the Covenant contained only the law of God, written on two stone tablets and hidden from all eyes; above him sat God, not inside the cherubim, but between them, not in bodily form, but invisible to the eyes of mortals.
The four living creatures in Ot. are compared to the cherubim of Ezekiel. John, who were likened - first - to a lion, second - to a calf (bull), third - to a man, fourth - to a flying eagle, all of them, having wings and many eyes, loudly and continuously cried out: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, is and is to come” (Rev 4.6ff.).
Consequently, these cherubim symbolically represent the service to God of all nature and spiritual beings in the aggregate, and the manifestation of this service in carrying out the will of God. Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea sang a song of praise to God, and the four living creatures said: Amen (Rev 5:13,14). Also Ps 149.1 calls all creation to such glorification.
Some consider cherubim not to be symbols, but to be real supernatural spiritual beings who surround the throne of God. “Cherubim of glory” (Heb. 9.5 Greek text) are not animals, but living beings.
Opinions differ regarding the meaning of the word cherub. Some think that it comes from the word rahav, i.e. to ride, ride (if you rearrange the letters in the root of the word), because Jehovah sits on them, like on animals or a chariot. Others derive this word from karav, i.e. grab, and compare the Greek grips with the German grip, gripa, griffin, etc.
(Nystrom Bible Dictionary)
The main purpose of the cherub is to convey God's wisdom to people. They tell people about the Lord and teach them to live a righteous life. These are a kind of teachers who give knowledge not only to ordinary Christians, but also to ranks that are on the lower steps of the angelic hierarchy.
Christian theology initially did not have a definite view of the nature of cherubim, opinions were divided on the question of whether they were creatures or just symbols and images to represent the actions of God. Following Philo of Alexandria, Jerome of Stridon (IV century) and Theodoret of Cyrus (V century) saw only a symbolic meaning in the cherubs. However, already Clement of Alexandria (II-III centuries) begins to move away from this understanding, calls the cherubs “song-speaking spirits,” but continues to place the main emphasis on the symbolism of their image:
“…The name of Cherub means “great knowledge.” Together they had twelve wings, as an indication of the sensory world, the twelve signs of the Zodiac and the passage of time determined by them... the image of cherubs has a symbolic meaning: the face is a symbol of the soul, the wings are the services and actions of the forces rising on the left and right, and the lips are a hymn to glory in the unceasing contemplation."
Clement of Alexandria. Stromata.
Since the 4th century, the prevailing doctrine has been established that cherubim are creatures, although they have a certain symbolism. John Chrysostom gave the following concept of cherubim, which became traditional for Christianity by the end of the era of the Ecumenical Councils:
“Cherub means nothing less than complete wisdom. That is why the Cherubim are full of eyes: their back, head, wings, legs, chest - everything is full of eyes, because wisdom looks everywhere, has an open eye everywhere.”
John Chrysostom
Theodore the Studite calls the Cherubim “the highest of all and closest to God,” his opinion is supported by Catholic (Thomas Aquinas) and Protestant (Keil) theologians.
The properties of cherubs were described by Dionysius the Areopagite in his essay “On the Heavenly Hierarchy”:
“The name Cherubim means their power - to know and contemplate God, the ability to receive the highest light and contemplate the Divine splendor at its very first manifestation, their wise art - to teach and abundantly communicate to others the wisdom bestowed on them.
Dionysius the Areopagite. "On the Heavenly Hierarchy"
During the liturgy, a prayer is sung, called the Cherubic hymn: “The Cherubim also secretly form the Trisagion hymn to the Life-Giving Trinity...”. It consists of two parts, separated by a great entrance; the royal doors of the altar open in front of it.
Even as the Cherubim secretly form and the Life-giving Trinity sings the Trisagion, let us now put aside all worldly concerns.
As if we will raise up the King of all, the angels invisibly dorinoshi chinmi. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Translation: [We] who mysteriously depict the Cherubim and sing the Trisagion Hymn to the Life-Giving Trinity, let us now abandon all worldly worries...
...so that we may receive the King of all [intelligent beings], invisibly accompanied, as if by bodyguards, by armies of Angels. Praise God, praise God, praise the Lord
Seraphim
Seraphim i.e. fiery - heavenly beings who, in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, stood around Yahweh, sitting in the temple on a high and exalted throne - “each of them has six wings; With two he covered his face, and with two his feet, and with two he flew. And they called to each other and said: Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts! The temple shook at the sound of their voice and was filled with incense. When Isaiah, in anguish, thought that he had perished, then one of the seraphim flew to him, touched his lips with a burning coal from the altar and announced to him the grace of reconciliation, after which Jehovah sent him to preach (Isaiah 6.2ff.).
(Nystrom Bible Dictionary)
The Hebrew word “saraph” has several meanings: flaming, fiery, tongues of flame; serpent, flying serpent, serpentine lightning; flying dragon or griffin.
These meanings are used in the following passages of Scripture:
“And the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, which bit the people” (Num. 21:6)
“And the Lord said to Moses: Make yourself a serpent and display it for a banner” (Num. 21:8)
“Do not rejoice, O land of the Philistines, because the rod that struck you is broken, for from the root of the serpent will come an asp, and its fruit will be a flying dragon” (Isaiah 14:29)
“Asps and flying serpents” (Isa. 30:6)
Seraphim are angels standing around God. The first mention of seraphim in the Bible is in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah; they appear in his story about a strange vision before being called to the Jerusalem temple:
“The Seraphim stood around Him; each of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And they called to each other and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa. 6:2-3)
Seraphim cover their faces with their wings so as not to see the face of God. A few stanzas below, Seraphim flies to the prophet to cleanse him of filth with hot coals:
“Then one of the Seraphim flew to me, and in his hand he had a burning coal, which he took with tongs from the altar, and touched my mouth and said: behold, this has touched your mouth, and your iniquity is taken away from you, and your sin is cleansed. » (Isa. 6:6)
The second mention of the Seraphim is in the Revelation of John the Theologian (Apocalypse), and has come down to us in ancient Greek.
“And before the throne 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 behind. And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature was like a calf, and the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. And each of the four animals had six wings around, and inside they were full of eyes; and they have no rest day or night, crying out: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.” (Rev 4:6-9)
Dionysius the Areopagite defines the seraphim as the first among the angelic ranks and connects their nature with a fiery, burning love for light and purity.
In his essay “On the Heavenly Hierarchy,” he writes that the seraphim are in constant motion around the divine and illuminate everything around with heat from their speed and infinity of flight, are able to elevate and liken lower beings to themselves, igniting their hearts, and also purify them “like lightning and all-consuming fire." Their image is luminous and has an undisguised and inextinguishable quality.
According to the interpretation of Anthony the Great,
“Seraphim, whom the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezekiel 1:4.9), is the image of faithful souls who strive to achieve perfection. He had six wings full of eyes; He also had four faces looking on four sides: one face was like the face of a man, the other was like the face of a calf, the third was like the face of a lion, and the fourth was like the face of an eagle. The first face of Seraphim, which is the face of a man, means the faithful, who, living in the world, fulfill the commandments placed on them. If one of them becomes a monk, then he becomes like the face of a calf, because he bears hard labor in fulfilling the monastic rules and performs more physical feats. Whoever, having perfected the order of community life, goes into solitude and enters into battle with invisible demons, is likened to the face of a lion, the king of wild animals. When he defeats invisible enemies and dominates passions and subjugates them to himself, then he will be delighted with the Holy Spirit and see Divine visions; here he will be like the face of an eagle: his mind will then see everything that can happen to him from six sides, like those 6 wings full of eyes. Thus he will become a complete spiritual Seraphim and inherit eternal bliss.”
Philokalia, Vol.1, Instructions of Anthony the Great
Prayer to the Holy Heavenly Bodiless Forces
All holy Heavenly Ethereal Powers, grant me your power to crush all evil and passions under my feet.
1. Holy Ethereal Seraphim, deign me to have a flaming heart towards God.
2. Holy Ethereal Cherubim, deign me to have wisdom for the glory of God.
3. Holy Ethereal Thrones, deign me to distinguish truth from untruth.
4. Holy Ethereal Dominions, deign me to rule over the passions, so that the spirit enslaves the flesh.
5. Holy Ethereal Powers, grant me the courage to fulfill the will of God.
6. Holy Incorporeality of Power, grant me the power of victory over evil.
7. Holy Ethereal Principles, deign me to serve the Lord God in the purity of my heart and the works of my hands.
8. Holy Ethereal Archangels, deign me to fulfill the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9. Holy Ethereal Angels, deign me to guide the weak in enlightening them in the truth.
