Archangel
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible. The Book of Tobit—recognized in the Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Bible, but considered apocryphal by Protestants—mentions Raphael, who is also considered to be an archangel. The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast on September 29 (formerly March 24 for Gabriel and 24 October for Raphael). The named archangels in Islam are Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Azrael. In Zoroastrianism, sacred texts allude to the six great Amesha Spenta (literally "divine sparks") of Ahura Mazda. Other traditions have identified a group of seven Archangels, the names of which vary, depending on the source.
The word archangel is derived from the Greek ἀρχάγγελος (arch- + angel, literally chief angel).
See also
- Angel
- Angels in art
- Angels in Islam
- Ethereal being
- Hierarchy of angels
- Islamic view of angels
- Kami
- Olympian spirits
- Saint Michael (Roman Catholic)
- Seven Archangels
- Sopo Archangels, Colombian Baroque paintings
- Yazatas
- Zoroastrian angelology
