More on the Angelic Realms
The Thrones

Thrones belong to the first and highest triad of the heavenly host, standing just below the Seraphim and Cherubim. This position makes them some of the most powerful angels in service to the Lord. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Thrones have the task of pondering the disposition of divine judgments. In other words, they carry out or fulfill the divine justice of the Lord.

Like their counterparts in the first angelic triad, they come the closest of all Angels to spiritual perfection and emanate the light of God with mirrorlike goodness. They, despite their greatness, are intensely humble, an attribute that allows them to dispense justice with perfect objectivity and without fear of pride or ambition. Because they are living symbols of God's justice and authority, they are called thrones and have as one of their symbols the throne.

Characteristics

This group of Angelic Princes are often called "Wheels." It is said that they were the actual wheels of the Lord's Heavenly chariot. "The four wheels had rims and they had spokes, and their rims were full of eyes round about." They are also frequently referred to as "many-eyed ones."

Members of this Angelic Choir


Jophiel
Zaphkiel
Oriphiel
Raziel

The Dominations

Function and Philosophy

Also called the dominions and the lords, Dominations are one of the nine accepted choirs of Angelic Princes, ranked fourth overall. They belonged to the second triad with the Virtues and Powers.

According to Dionysus, the Dominations have the duty in the Heavenly Host of regulating the activities of the angels. Through the efforts of these spirits, the very order of the cosmos is maintained. They handle the minute details of cosmic life and existence, designating tasks to the lower orders of angels.

Characteristics

By custom Dominations are believed to wear green and gold, and their symbols are the sword and scepter. This denotes their lordship over all created things. In turn, the dominations receive their instructions from the cherubim or thrones.

Members of this Angelic Choir:

Hashmal
Zadkiel
Muriel
Zacharael

The Powers

Function and Philosophy

One of the nine angelic choirs, Powers are also known as potentates, authorities, dynamics, and forces. They are placed in the second triad along with dominations and virtues, numbered sixth overall. The Powers were supposedly the very first of the angels created by God. However, this disagrees with the theory that all angels came into existence at a single moment.

Powers have the task of defeating the efforts of the demons in overthrowing the world. They are declared awesome defenders of the cosmos against all evil and the maintainers of all cosmic order and equilibrium. They are the guardians of the heavenly paths, policing the routes to and from heaven to the earth. This means they concern themselves with humanity as well. The great harmonizers, they assist each soul to overcome the temptations place before it to do evil and to lean instead toward the proper action (that being to Love and worship God.)

Characteristics

Powers' colors are green and gold, and their symbol is a flaming sword

Members of this Angelic Choir:

Gabriel
Raphael
Camael
Verchiel
Lucifer