In the Christian hierarchy of angels, Archangels are the second lowest ranking, but they are the highest angels who interact directly with humans. In most religions, various beings called archangels have given rise to numerous mystical stories and beliefs. These mysterious names not only occupy a place in religious scriptures, but also have their legends and roles spread across different cultures.
The name Archangel comes from the Greek word "archángelos", which means "chief messenger." The term was first coined by Pseudo-Dionysius in the fifth or sixth century AD, and illustrated in his work "In the Celestial Hierarchy." However, there are only two mentions of archangels in the Bible, in 1 Thessalonians and Jude, and they do not appear in the Old Testament.
"The existence of archangels is often misunderstood as being the highest class of angels, which stems from the etymology of their names and the description of archangels in literature."
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, archangels such as Michael, Gabriel and Raphael shoulder important tasks. Michael is regarded as the leader of the heavenly host, responsible for protecting Israel; while Gabriel is God's messenger, responsible for delivering important messages, such as reporting the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary; Raphael focuses on healing and protection .
In Zoroastrianism, Archangels (Amesha Spentas) are considered "beneficial immortals" who represent the attributes of God and play an important role in the creation of the universe. In addition, the concept of vessels mentioned in many documents symbolizes different cultures and precious qualities of human beings, which can be linked back to the origin of the concept of archangel.
In literature, the image of archangels has been promoted, such as in Milton's "Paradise Lost." Archangels in literary works are often depicted as brave and powerful protectors. The image is always surrounded by divine light and broad wings, which is deeply rooted in people's hearts.
"In all major religions, the names of archangels are symbols of protection and guidance."
Even in modern society, archangels continue to attract many believers who believe that these divine beings can provide guidance and support in life. During social activities and meditation practices, many people will also specifically call the name of the archangel to achieve inner peace and protection.
Archangel is not only a symbol of faith, but also a combination of mystery and power in human culture. How have they affected human history and beliefs? How should their story continue?