Angel Hierarchy

[deckardcanine]

Abrahamic religions have different traditions
For grouping the angels by tier.
St. Thomas Aquinas, among other Christians,
Attempted to make it quite clear.

The angels’ nine “choirs” are lumped into triads.
The lowest are meant to serve men.
The least have no label but “angels,” though some
Are our guardians here to the end.

You’d think that “archangels” would form the top choir.
Instead, they’re way down in the eighth.
They tell us what God plans for humans and carry
It out with their allies in faith.

“Principalities” (yes, those are singular angels)
Are linked with some power transitions.
They guide and look after communities, nations,
And churches as part of their missions.

The rest of the angels do not interact
With humanity half so directly.
The sixth choir, “powers,” fight demons to govern
The natural order exactly.

The “virtues” are spirits of motion, controlling
The elements, planets, and seasons,
Aiding miracle workers and bolstering faith
In the Lord (so their name has its reasons).

“Dominions” get guidance from first-triad angels
And use it to govern the rest.
They rarely see fit to make humans aware of them.
That’s, I am sure, for the best.

The others bear little resemblance to humans.
The “thrones,” just for starters, are rings,
All covered with eyes and aflame with God’s love
As they dwell on God’s judgment of things.

The “cherubim” don’t look like Cupid; they all have
Four wings and four faces besides.
Their name means “the fullness of wisdom”; they serve
As protectors and thinkers, not guides.

And finally, “seraphim” (translates to “burning ones”)
Sport not just four wings but six.
They attend right to God, singing praises eternal.
(I looked all this up just for kicks.)