Eastern Catholics and the 7 archangels

[SyroMalankara]

Like you stated, that site is not authoritative at all.

Some angels are mentioned liturgically in the East - both Catholic and Orthodox - and have a feast day. Can’t get more official than this.

 

[babochka]

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

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.

Keep in mind that the fact that something is forbidden in the Latin Church does not mean it is universally forbidden. This was done for a particular reason at a particular time. Often people will say “the Catholic Church” when what is actually meant is the Latin Catholic Church Just because a document comes from Rome doesn’t mean it applies to Eastern Catholic Churches. If this was meant as a truly universal proscription on the use of the traditional names for archangels other than Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, then the (universal) Church would not have these angels mentioned by name in liturgical commemorations.

 

[Becket1]

Keep in mind that the fact that something is forbidden in the Latin Church does not mean it is universally forbidden. This was done for a particular reason at a particular time. Often people will say “the Catholic Church” when what is actually meant is the Latin Catholic Church Just because a document comes from Rome doesn’t mean it applies to Eastern Catholic Churches. If this was meant as a truly universal proscription on the use of the traditional names for archangels other than Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, then the (universal) Church would not have these angels mentioned by name in liturgical commemorations.

Well stated!.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Indeed.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Keep in mind that the fact that something is forbidden in the Latin Church does not mean it is universally forbidden. This was done for a particular reason at a particular time. Often people will say “the Catholic Church” when what is actually meant is the Latin Catholic Church Just because a document comes from Rome doesn’t mean it applies to Eastern Catholic Churches. If this was meant as a truly universal proscription on the use of the traditional names for archangels other than Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, then the (universal) Church would not have these angels mentioned by name in liturgical commemorations.

Splendidly stated.

 

[RosyAnne]

Well I certainly owe everyone reading this a sincere apology, I did not realize at the time how harsh and “rigid” I was, truly I am sorry for causing offense

Just to give you a picture of where I was coming from, I was seeing this as more of a cultural type of veneration rather than an approved veneration…and I promise I did plenty of searches and research before posting. The only authoritative information that I had access to was the Vatican directive which I posted above somewhere. Anything I found that supported the veneration of the angels by name were all on Orthodox Church sites, not within the Catholic fold at all. What I didn’t take into account was that maybe the Eastern Catholic Church doesn’t have as extensive information available on the internet as say the Vatican, yet, or if they do, just not as easily accessible or to find. These things take time.

All I could find for official/recognized feast days was Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, but nothing mentioning Uriel or the other angels by name (other than in a few Parish bulletins…but that’s not authoritative). Just to be clear, I’m not questioning venerating all 7 archangels or any heavenly angel, but was repeating the Vatican’s caution on veneration by name.

I have been wracking my brain to think of the times I’ve been to Divine Liturgy (I am Roman Catholic but several times a year I attend Ukrainian Catholic Church…usually on special feast days). I can’t be sure if I have attended on Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers…but…

Can anyone tell me if Uriel and the others are mentioned by name in one of the Litanies or somewhere in the Liturgy? Because that would be something definitely authoritative.

babochkat

The (universal) Church would not have these angels mentioned by name in liturgical commemorations

You would be exactly right babochkat, are they then named? Would some Eastern Churches have their names included in Divine Liturgy and not others, do you know?

And if so, if they are included…now my question is, would I as a Roman Catholic be disallowed from attending any Divine Liturgy that mention them in order of being obedient to Holy Mother Church? Tricky stuff!

 

[Becket1]

Another point to ponder, is where did the name “Lucifer” come from. The name is only mentioned in certain translations of the Bible. The Vulgate, KJV, and DR have it. But the NABRE, RSVCE, doesn’t mention the name, only the meaning. So how do we know that Lucifer is or was his actual name?. Answer: The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), a name, literally “bringer of dawn”, for the morning star. The word Lucifer is taken from the Latin Vulgate, which translates הֵילֵל as lucifer, meaning “the morning star, the planet Venus”, or, as an adjective, “light-bringing”. The Book of Enoch refers to him as Semjaza, not Lucifer. That name is never mentioned. So should the Vatican issue a statement saying that Satan should no longer be referred to as Lucifer, since he no longer is a bringer of light but rather a bringer of darkness. In Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Some atheist might confuse the two, and ask why Jesus isn’t also referred to as Lucifer, since he called himself the “bright morning star”. Just something to ponder as we base our knowledge on both “tradition” and scripture.

 

[babochka]

Anything I found that supported the veneration of the angels by name were all on Orthodox Church sites, not within the Catholic fold at all. What I didn’t take into account was that maybe the Eastern Catholic Church doesn’t have as extensive information available on the internet as say the Vatican, yet, or if they do, just not as easily accessible or to find. These things take time.

Eastern Catholics frequently need to utilize Orthodox sources for information about our tradition. There is probably more available in other languages, however.

All I could find for official/recognized feast days was Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, but nothing mentioning Uriel or the other angels by name (other than in a few Parish bulletins…but that’s not authoritative). Just to be clear, I’m not questioning venerating all 7 archangels or any heavenly angel, but was repeating the Vatican’s caution on veneration by name.

I have been wracking my brain to think of the times I’ve been to Divine Liturgy (I am Roman Catholic but several times a year I attend Ukrainian Catholic Church…usually on special feast days). I can’t be sure if I have attended on Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers…but…

Can anyone tell me if Uriel and the others are mentioned by name in one of the Litanies or somewhere in the Liturgy? Because that would be something definitely authoritative.

You would be exactly right babochkat, are they then named? Would some Eastern Churches have their names included in Divine Liturgy and not others, do you know?

The official title of the feast is “The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel”. It is frequently shortened to “St. Michael and all the Angels” or “St. Michael and all the Bodiless Powers.” Likewise, Christmas is “The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and the Presentation is “The Encounter of our Lord with Simeon and Anna”, but one doesn’t usually see the whole title

The are not named during the Divine Liturgy itself, but their names might appear in Vespers or Matins. I don’t have the books at home, but I could look them up this Sunday.

And if so, if they are included…now my question is, would I as a Roman Catholic be disallowed from attending any Divine Liturgy that mention them in order of being obedient to Holy Mother Church? Tricky stuff!

Not tricky at all. Of course not.