The angels are typically divided into the nine categories of Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. These nine categories of angelic beings, from earliest times, were divided into three hierarchies. According to St. Dionysius the Aeropagite, they are to be called choirs. The first of these choirs are the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones who have no direct relation to man but are always, constantly beholding the presence of God. They are absorbed in unending love and adoration of God, "[n]o other creature is so intensely capable of loving God." (26) The Dominions, Virtues, and Powers govern the stars in our universe, our orb, and our galaxy, but otherwise, we have no direct connection to these beings. It is the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels that we come into contact with the most. They execute the will of God and it is their joy to do the will of God.
Four Archangels have been given names. Michael, who is like unto God. Gabriel, man of God. Raphael, healer of God. And Uriel, the fire of God. "Here in the utter simplicity of the interpretations of the archangelic names, we get momentary glimpses of their personalities, through which their relationship to God becomes more apparent, as does their power and influence." (27) The names of angels reveal to us their personality, their characteristics that God has given them, and their very nature. Michael's name is a challenge to Lucifer. Lucifer, the light-bearer, who was of the most beautiful of Seraphim, defied God in his rebellion, proclaiming himself to be like the Most High, and Michael challenged the claim of Lucifer. The question is a dare. "Who is like unto God? Dost thou thinkest thyself so highly that thou canst not see thyself for what thou art? A creature. Who is like unto God?"
"We cannot fully comprehend [the angels'] role in man's destiny unless we are familiar with the role of Satan, the 'prince of this world,' and his angels, the angels of darkness." (27) In the fall of Lucifer, we see the role of angels at play. Lucifer defies his role. As a Seraph, he was supposed to be of the highest ranking, looking ever longingly toward his maker, but in defiance, he tried to the ascend to the heights and make himself out to be his creator. And thus, Michael, "Who is Like Unto God?" challenges Lucifer and his angels. War in Heaven breaks out, not between God and the angels of Lucifer, but between the Devil and his angels, and Michael and his angels.
It is this battle that man finds himself caught up in. For it is after the fall of Lucifer that men are led astray by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. It is interesting to note that Mother Alexandra fortifies her position that man is not at war with God but at war amongst the angels. The angels did not break out into war against God but with each other. God wars with no one for all is His creation. Thus, the spiritual warfare that man finds himself caught up in is not a war between us and God or us and the Devil or the Devil and God. It is a war that is being carried out between the fallen Lucifer and his emissaries, both human and angelic, and the angels and their emissaries, both human and angelic. Those who do the will of God are fighting with the angels. Those who disobey the will of God and follow the will of self, are on the side of the Devil. This is the war that humanity has been thrust into. That is why our community with the angels is so fundamentally important to the Gospels.
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