Arcangels biography

Second-lowest rank of angel

This article is about the rank of angel. For other uses, see Archangel (disambiguation).

Archangels () are the second-lowest rank of angel in the Christian hierarchy of angels, put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia (On the Celestial Hierarchy).^[1][2][3] However, they are the highest rank to interact directly with humans, seraphim and the like remaining close to God.

The Bible itself uses the term only two times, with no mention in the Old Testament, and does not mention a hierarchy of angels in any detail. The word is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions.

Archangels in the bible

Similar beings exist in several other religions.

Archangel is derived from Greekarchángelos (ἀρχάγγελος), with the Greek prefix arch- meaning 'chief'. A common misconception is that archangels constitute the highest rank of angel in Christianity; this likely stem