Eastern Catholics and the 7 archangels

[MysticalSelah]

In the west, I know only 3 are venerated by name: Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

However, I learned that many Byzantine Catholics also venerate Sts. Uriel, and three others: Selaphiel, Jegudiel and Raguel.

Is this true of other eastern churches? Do Coptic Catholics venerate Sts. Suriel, Zadkiel, Raguel and Aniel as their Orthodox counterpart does? What of Syriac and Maronites?

Thanks

 

[Maryann_C]

Johnett Benkovich just had the topic of Angels this last week on her Women of Grace TV show on EWTN. I believe it was Fr Mitch Pacwa and Mike Aquilina who were her guests on the subject . You can google this easily .
One of them mentioned that the Arch Angels other than the 3 we know of through the Holy Scriptures are spoken of in some Jewish texts. I thought he mentioned Oriel ( could be your Uriel) and another not on your list I believe , whose names means ‘lightening of God’

 

[Miserissima]

Check out this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20370

 

[Vico]

In the west, I know only 3 are venerated by name: Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

However, I learned that many Byzantine Catholics also venerate Sts. Uriel, and three others: Selaphiel, Jegudiel and Raguel.

Is this true of other eastern churches? Do Coptic Catholics venerate Sts. Suriel, Zadkiel, Raguel and Aniel as their Orthodox counterpart does? What of Syriac and Maronites?

Thanks

(Douay Rheims) Tobias 12 15 For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.
Haydock commentary:Raphael. We know also the names of Michael and Gabriel. All others are apocryphal; such as Uriel, Saltiel, Jeadriel, Barachiel, &c.

— Seven. This number is clearly specified by S. John, Apoc. i. 4. A mass in their honour was approved by Pius IV. It is supposed that the seven deacons in the Church of Rome, and of Jerusalem, were instituted in imitation of them. The kings, Assuerus, &c. had seven chief officers. Est. i. 10. C.

— Lord, ready to fulfil his orders, as innumerable other angels, of inferior degree, are likewise. M. Dan. vii. 10.

— These were the princes of the heavenly court. S. Jerom (con. Jovin.) admits only seven orders of angels. C.

— Gr. “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who offer up the prayers of the saints, and go out before the glory of the Holy One. And they were both troubled,” &c. (H.) at so unusual a thing, (M.) and filled with reverential awe. H.

— They might also suspect that death would shortly follow. C. Gen. xvi. 13.

The Book of Enoch has: **[Chapter 20]
**
1,2 And these are the names of the holy angels who watch. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is 3 over the world and over Tartarus. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. 4,5 Raguel, one of the holy angels who takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries. Michael, one 6 of the holy angels, to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind and over chaos. Saraqael, 7 one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. Gabriel, one of the holy 8 angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise.

ccel.org/c/charles/otpseudepig/enoch/ENOCH_1.HTM
And Uriel again:**[Chapter 72]**1 The book of the courses of the luminaries of the heaven, the relations of each, according to their classes, their dominion and their seasons, according to their names and places of origin, and according to their months, which Uriel, the holy angel, who was with me,
ccel.org/c/charles/otpseudepig/enoch/ENOCH_3.HTM

 

[Zekariya]

Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Raguel are venerated saints in the Byzantine Churches.

2 Esdras (4 Esdras) is part of the Canon of Scripture in the Slavic Byzantine Churches. It names Uriel as an archangel.

2 Esdras (4 Esdras) 4:36 And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance.

For better reference since the Bible book names vary…
*King James Version names with the Latin Vulgate names in parentheses:
*
Ezra (1 Esdras)
Nehemiah (2 Esdras)
1 Esdras (3 Esdras)
2 Esdras (4 Esdras)

 

[Blind_Didymus]

The 1611 King James Bible actually mentions 5 of the 7 Archangels. Along with Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (mentioned in Tobit/Tobias), as already mentioned, it names Uriel in 1st (3rd) Esdras.
There is another archangel mentioned whose name (for reasons unknown to me) had its meaning translated. Can’t recall the verse sorry but seem to remember it has something to do with fire and it’s in the Deuterocanon/Apocrypha.

The Coptic Church names 7 Archangels in the Liturgy of St Basil (which is the one ordinarily used). The Eastern Orthodox Church also name 7 Archangels however the names are slightly different. I have statues from The Philippines of the 7 Archangels with the names commonly given to them in the West inscribed on the base/footing of each. (Yes I’m okay with statues. God told Moses to make statues of cherubs. Any argument against Christians using statues as part of worship ultimately must lead to iconoclastic conclusions.)

In short, I’ve found that the different names appear to have arisen from a number of causes but two are most common:
a) the name was translated and then when taken to a different area the foreign word was assumed to be the name.
b) local variations in pronunciation have gradually changed names which were once pronounced in similar ways to now appear to be rather different.

Considering that even the names of the 12 Apostles are pronounced completely differently in different languages, one need not be too concerned about how one pronounces the names of the 7 Archangels. Even the word “God” is different is different languages but nobody doubts that God understands what people are saying in different languages. So do the angels.
It is the height of arrogance to think that angels are unable to speak any language except one’s own chosen holy tongue (whatever that might be).

 

[twf]

Regardless of their names, all Catholics - Latin, Eastern, or Oriental - must accept that there are seven special angels who “stand in the presence of God interceding for the saints” as St. Raphael testifies in the canonical book of Tobit. The seven archangels are an important part of our tradition. That being said, in the Latin West, there is really only a popular cult for the veneration of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. St. Michael in particular has always been highly praised by the Latin Church and is patron of numerous churches and places.

 

[Becket1]

Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Raguel are venerated saints in the Byzantine Churches.

2 Esdras (4 Esdras) is part of the Canon of Scripture in the Slavic Byzantine Churches. It names Uriel as an archangel.

2 Esdras (4 Esdras) 4:36 And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance.

For better reference since the Bible book names vary…
*King James Version names with the Latin Vulgate names in parentheses:
*
Ezra (1 Esdras)
Nehemiah (2 Esdras)
1 Esdras (3 Esdras)
2 Esdras (4 Esdras)

Actually it’s Barachiel, not Raguel, in the Byzantine tradition. The Ethiopians venerate the Archangel Raguel, do to the Book of Enoch (1) being canonical to their Church. The Coptic tradition lists them as Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Sedakiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel. Even though Rome has only three venerated in the Latin church. It does not mean that they are the only three that can be venerated by any Catholic Christian. Thanks in part to the rich traditions of the Eastern churches, and their recognized Saints, which are equally as valid as the Latin west. The number “seven” should not be taken literally. Seven is used quite often in Holy Scripture. In my view there are more than just seven Archangels. We know the names of several, from both scripture AND tradition!. Never forget “tradition”. I updated the wiki article on Archangels and the Seven Archangels this year. Check it out.
wikiwand.com/en/Seven_Archangels
wikiwand.com/en/Archangel

 

[RosyAnne]

Careful, we are forbidden to venerate any angels BY NAME other than St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel…

Vatican bans rogue angels

THE Vatican has banned the veneration of angels who do not appear in the Bible in an attempt to ward off the influence of New Age religious movements and other angel-based cults.

Prayers to disputed celestial beings such as Uriel and Jophiel - viewed by some as the angels of peace and enlightened understanding - were proscribed in a 300-page Directory of Public Piety, published last week by the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship.

The document makes it clear that all veneration and prayer should be directed solely towards Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The aim of the directory, say its authors, is to distinguish between acts of piety which belong to “true faith” and those which are merely “pseudo-spiritual experiences”.

Chapter six deals with angels, delivering a stinging rebuff to followers of Uriel, Jophiel, Chamuel and Zadkiel, who enjoy a burgeoning reputation in New Age religions but make no appearance in the New or Old Testament.

Seven “holy” angels feature in Christian legend - Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Chamuel, Jophiel and Zadkiel. Other nameless angels are generally divided into angelic orders such as the cherubim, seraphim and thrones. Of the seven named angels, only the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael play a part in the official biblical narrative, although all seven are cited in the Book of Enoch, which was eventually excluded from the Bible because of its controversial assertions on the nature and deeds of fallen angels.

Of course we can pray to our heavenly guardian angel, but not to name him:

The Vatican directory states, in unequivocal language, that “the practice of giving particular names to angels, with the exception of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, is to be disapproved of. Popular piety towards the angels, which is legitimate and healthy, can nevertheless sometimes lead to deviations”.

Read the rest of the article at the link above.

Remember, a demon can appear as an angel of light, we must be prudent and protect ourselves by following the guidance of Holy Mother Church when it comes to these creatures.

ETA: Here’s the link to the document on the Vatican website:

[DIRECTORY
ON POPULAR PIETY AND THE LITURGY](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c..._doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter Six)

1. Popular devotion to the Holy Angels, which is legitimate and good, can, however, also give rise to possible deviations:

• when, as sometimes can happen, the faithful are taken by the idea that the world is subject to demiurgical struggles, or an incessant battle between good and evil spirits, or Angels and daemons, in which man is left at the mercy of superior forces and over which he is helpless; such cosmologies bear little relation to the true Gospel vision of the struggle to overcome the Devil, which requires moral commitment, a fundamental option for the Gospel, humility and prayer;

• when the daily events of life, which have nothing or little to do with our progressive maturing on the journey towards Christ are read schematically or simplistically, indeed childishly, so as to ascribe all setbacks to the Devil and all success to the Guardian Angels. **The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture. **

 

[Mintaka]

Actually, there is a long-standing tradition in the West of associating the seven angels with the Seven Sacraments. Lots of 17th century art in Catholic churches, for example. I’ve seen some lovely 19th century Catholic art of this, too.

But the angel names associated with particular Sacrraments are different in different sources.

 

[Wesrock]

Careful, we are forbidden to venerate any angels BY NAME other than St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel…

Vatican bans rogue angels

Of course we can pray to our heavenly guardian angel, but not to name him:

Read the rest of the article at the link above.

Remember, a demon can appear as an angel of light, we must be prudent and protect ourselves by following the guidance of Holy Mother Church when it comes to these creatures.

ETA: Here’s the link to the document on the Vatican website:

[DIRECTORY
ON POPULAR PIETY AND THE LITURGY](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c..._doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter Six)

I think the intent is to stop new age influences from creeping in and ascribing their own values and needs to these angels or others, especially coming from the Latin tradition. If, in the east there are longstanding traditions of venerating additional archangels than the three in the west, I suspect these Vatican comments are not directed towards them.

 

[Vico]

I think the intent is to stop new age influences from creeping in and ascribing their own values and needs to these angels or others, especially coming from the Latin tradition. If, in the east there are longstanding traditions of venerating additional archangels than the three in the west, I suspect these Vatican comments are not directed towards them.

The bishops manage this, and so it is adapted to specific places and sui iuris church. At the end of the document is:

With the assistance of their collaborators, especially of the rectors of shrines, it is for the Bishops to establish norms and practical guidelines in relation to this matter, taking into account local traditions and particular manifestations of popular piety and religiosity.

 

[Trad_Catholic27]

Well I have a St. Uriel prayer card but I definitely don’t use it since the Holy See has spoken about the non existence of the other Archangels besides St. Michael St. Raphael and St. Gabriel

 

[Becket1]

Careful, we are forbidden to venerate any angels BY NAME other than St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel…

Vatican bans rogue angels

Of course we can pray to our heavenly guardian angel, but not to name him:

Read the rest of the article at the link above.

Remember, a demon can appear as an angel of light, we must be prudent and protect ourselves by following the guidance of Holy Mother Church when it comes to these creatures.

ETA: Here’s the link to the document on the Vatican website:

[DIRECTORY
ON POPULAR PIETY AND THE LITURGY](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c..._doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter Six)

Only applies to the West, and not to the Byzantine Catholic Churches. We venerate all seven and by name. That article mainly addresses naming your guardian angels and is directed to Roman Catholics. Your guardian angel has already been named by our father in heaven.

 

[Becket1]

Well I have a St. Uriel prayer card but I definitely don’t use it since the Holy See has spoken about the non existence of the other Archangels besides St. Michael St. Raphael and St. Gabriel

Since St. Uriel is venerated by Byzantine Catholics and he is mentioned on the feast day of the Synaxis of the Archangels on November 8. There is nothing wrong with using your St. Uriel prayer card.

 

[Becket1]

I also find it a bit disturbing that the Vatican, who are aware of the Byzantine Catholic long standing tradition, of explicitly naming Sts. Uriel, Selapheil, Jehudiel, and Barachiel as official Archangels and Saints, on Nov 8, come out and say that Uriel isn’t an official Archangel. Seems like the Latin west wants to dictate what Eastern Catholics can and cannot believe. We may as well say that Our Lady of Fatima is not an official apparition, since it is not mentioned in the Bible, and that no Eastern Catholics ever seen this apparition.

 

[Becket1]

goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=279
oca.org/saints/lives/2016/11/08
pravoslavie.ru/english/65890.htm

 

[RosyAnne]

Hi Becket1, those links are to Orthodox Church sites, do you have any references to Catholic sites? Thanks

 

[Becket1]

Hi Becket1, those links are to Orthodox Church sites, do you have any references to Catholic sites? Thanks

Here are some references. Keep in mind that Byzantine Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians teach the same thing theologically in regards to the angels. Most Byzantine Catholics do reference Eastern Orthodox websites, Ancient Faith radio as an example, and vice versa to learn and share the Byzantine tradition. The Eastern Orthodox do have many more resources, than the Byzantine Catholic Church does. But since the traditions are the same, many of the laity of both churches frequent each others websites and learn from each others resources.

catholic365.com/article/2094/the-catholic-teachings-on-the-angels-part-4-the-seven-archangels.html

byzantinetucson.com/?p=54

byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/131784/Re:_Synaxis_of_the_Archangels

From a Ukrainian Catholic bulletin some years ago. Go to page 4
stbasil.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/2/4/4924130/11-04-12_st._basil_bulletin.pdf

 

[RosyAnne]

Although the sites aren’t authoritative on the teachings of the Church, there is some good info provided that does confirm that the Church discourages venerating any angels by name other than St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael:

catholic365.com/article/2094/the-catholic-teachings-on-the-angels-part-4-the-seven-archangels.html

Although Uriel cannot be found in Scripture, his name has frequently been a part of tradition and he has an important role in many apocryphal texts, such as the Book of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Peter, and 2 Baruch Although these texts are now considered apocryphal, various Jewish scholars and Christian theologians during the early centuries of the Church did believe that these texts had some credibility and Uriel was indeed venerated as an Archangel by the Church until the Council of Rome in 745. At that Council, Uriel and the names of many other angels and Archangels were removed from the official list (i.e. canon) of angels to be venerated** to deter the growing trend of angel worship that was leading down the road to heresy**. The list of angels that are worth venerating became confined down to only the three aforementioned Archangels.

Nevertheless, Uriel continued to remain a part of Christian tradition and Uriel has always been revered as an Archangel along with Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and the Catholic Dutch playwright Joost Van Den Vondel (LUCIFER, published in 1654) and the Protestant English poet John Milton (PARADISE LOST, published in 1667) both incorporated all four of these Archangels in the telling of their versions of this story about the fall of Lucifer. And contrary to the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Church continue to venerate Uriel as an Archangel to this day. However, I have found that due to historical and cultural traditions, many Catholics still do pray to Uriel and you find his statues and prayer cards in various Catholic bookstores.

The 2nd paragraph confirms that any veneration by name of an angel done by individual Catholics is done contrary to the teachings of the Church (other than the 3 of course).

The other links aren’t authoritative either but do confirm what you say, that some Catholics are indeed continuing the practise of venerating the angels by name. I would say charitably that it is being done unknowingly of what the Church is teaching.

Keep in mind the Church isn’t saying you can’t acknowledge or honor or venerate 7 archangels, the Church is just saying that it is only safe to acknowledge the names of three of them (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael).

Whether one of the heavenly archangels is indeed named Uriel or not, I can guarantee you without hesitation that if Uriel is a true and valid name for the 4th archangel, that angel would not be pleased at all with being venerated by its actual name if it was done knowingly against the authority of the Church (which was established by the document I listed above). In fact, I guarantee that angel would be saddened by it.

Trust in Holy Mother Church, this was not forbidden on a whim. You can bet there was good, serious reason to do so, especially when considering the tradition of the early Church to use these names. If the Church now says to stop doing that, it would have been loathe to do so unless there would be serious reason for it.