The Archangels

We are familiar with the 2 most famous archangels, Michael and Gabriel, but according to liturgical sources, there are 8 Princes of the Archangel Order.

Metatron

This angel has several titles. Prince of Angels, Angel of the Covenant, Chancellor of Heaven. He’s the link between the Human and the Divine.
He wrestled with Jacob.
and is the Watchman of the Night.
According to Kabbalah, Metatron led the the People of Israel into the desert.
Reportedly (?) he is the tallest angel in Heaven (perhaps that’s a metaphor) and has been known to appear as a tower of fire.
Zoroastrians believe he is bigger than the world itself!
Many believe he is ranked higher than Michael or Gabriel.

Raphael

This angel is first mentioned in the Book of Tobit. ( a questionable text)
He is responsible for healing men’s wounds,
Thought to be one of the 3 angels who visited Abraham.
Healed Jacob after Metatron roughed him up.
Some believe he gave medical advice to Noah after the flood.
Liturgical texts say Raphael guards the Tree of Life ( don’t confuse with the Tree of Knowledge).
A few believe he is one of the 7 angels of the Apocalypse.
The SparkNotes version: Raphael is the angel of healing.

Michael

Translation: “who is as God.”
Islamic, Christian, and Jewish texts all agree that Michael is one of the greatest angels.
He is the angel of repentance and mercy.
Conqueror (sort of) of Satan
One of the angels who laid waste to the army at Sennacherib. ( Whole army–bam–just dead for no apparent reason–Jews win. )
Prevented Abraham, who was proving his obedience to God, from sacrificing his only son.
Appears as a burning bush.
Argued with Satan over the burial rites for Moses.
Holds the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Destroyed Babylon
The above is just a small sampling of his deeds.

Gabriel

“God is my strength.”
Angel of mercy, resurrection, death, and vengence
Along with Michael, he is the only angel mentioned by name in the Old Testament.
Oversees paradise (nice gig)
Sits at the left hand of God
Attributed with having 140 pairs of wings
Destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
Rescued a few Holy men from incineration.
Was kicked out of Heaven for a bit because he did not do exactly as God ordered.
Gave Mary of Nazareth the good news.
Spoke to Joan of Arc

Angel fun fact: Most angel names end with the suffix “el,” which translates as

“of God.”

Barbiel:

The angel for the month of October and February
Has the distinction of being one of 7 Electors (in the Underworld) who is under the rule of Zaphiel ( aka, ruler of the Order of Cherubim)

Jehudiel:

Rules the movements of the celestial spheres
Not always included in the archangel list

Barachiel/ Barakile/Barkiel:

The lightening of God
Ruler of February
Prince of the Order of Confessors
One of 4 ruling seraphim
Ruler of the planet Saturn and zodiac signs Scorpio and Pisces
One of 3 angels you want to call upon in a game of chance (The Vegas angel?)
Ruler/Prince of the 2nd Heaven

Satan ( before the Fall):

Some scholars believe that Satan and Lucifer and not one in the same. Lucifer is thought to refer to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Some believe that St. Jerome mixed up his reading of Isaiah 14:12. The mix-up is perpetrated by Milton in Paradise Lost.
The term is used to denote an office/position, not a specific angel
Hebrew name meaning “adversary”
Originally ha-satan: cheif of seraphim, head of the Order of Virtues
The Talmud says he was created on the 6th day of creation
Has 12 wings instead of the “normal” 6
Prince of the power of air
Either took the form of a serpent in the Garden of Eden or used the serpent to tempt Eve
Not referred to as enemy of God until New Testament
By the way, there is no mention of fallen angels in the Old Testament.