Cherubim

In our exploration of the various choirs of angels, we have now made our way to the second choir, the Cherubim.

Before we get started, however, it is important that we take the time to talk about what is (and what is not) a cherub. These are not cherubs.

The only thing these will smite you with is ADORABLENESS. (via Twins Forever)

Strictly speaking, chubby baby angels aren’t angels at all, let alone representative of the choir of Cherubim. These are putti, which originated as the winged spirit-babies in pagan fertility art and were co-opted by Baroque painters to represent angels. The god Cupid is a prime example of these little fellows, though he is not — strictly speaking — always represented as one. They are usually his messengers.

True cherubs, on the other hand are not cuddly or baby-like in any way. Nope. They’re incredibly fierce, guardians of sacred spaces (most notably protectors of the Throne of God).

That’s better. (via Bible Q)

They are represented in symbology as having four heads, one of an ox, one of a lion, one of an eagle, and one of a man. Unlike the six-winged Seraphim, they have four wings, and use one set as a covering and the other for flight.

Many angelologists say that the use of these four faces is symbolic of the four chief qualities the Cherubim express. The ox represents Fortitude, the lion Strength, the eagle Swiftness, and the man Intelligence. These symbols were later used for the four gospel writers, so perhaps there is something to that.

Perhaps the most disturbing detail of cherub appearance is that each of their wings is said to be covered in eyes. Symbolically, this represents their ability to see threats to their charges from any direction, but it does make for a pretty scary visual. (Still, at least they’re more humanoid in description than the Thrones…)

The word “cherub” comes to us from Assyrian through Hebrew, and roughly translates as “to be near,” which alludes to their role as protectors and direct servants of God. (Note that it is close in sound to the Hebrew khereb, meaning “sword,” but these are not related terms.) It is thus believed by comparative mythologists that they are related to the shedu, winged bull-men who guard Assyrian temples.

The main purpose of Cherubim are as protectors of sacred objects and forbidden places. In many traditions, it was a cherub who was sent to guard the entrance of the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword (which leads some to assume that Uriel operates in more than one choir). Golden Cherubim were placed on the legendary Ark of the Covenant, and any man that touched it would die instantly. These two examples alone should be enough to foster respect for these mighty spirits, but their rather frequent appearance in both testaments mean that their significance cannot be belittled by a Christian Angelologist.

May we all grow ever closer to God and unite our voices to those of the Cherubim in singing his praises.

-E. G. Norton

Seraphim

(via Seraphim Press)

For a proper understanding of how angels “work” — that is to say, how humans can comprehend their existence as much as possible, it is important to look at each choir individually.

We will never fully understand the nature of angels, as we will always be tempted to see them as physical beings. This is not our fault. It is difficult for us sometimes to accept the existence of non-physical beings. God and his angels recognize this, which is why they take on human form when communicating with us (or do the exact opposite and whisper to our hearts, staying as far from the physical as possible so as not to confuse us). There are many instances in the bible of angels disguising themselves as humans. . . and even then, they usually have to tell people not to be afraid of them.

Today, we are going to start with the top choir, the Seraphim. These are the angels who are farthest removed from the physical plane, as they are a choir who stands directly before the throne of God.

The name “Seraph” comes from the Hebrew, and literally means “Burning One.” That alone should tell you a lot about how terrifying coming face to face with one of them would be. They are made of fire and light, but are represented in Isaiah as having three sets of wings.

These wings are very important, because each set has a symbolic purpose. The first set is used to cover their eyes.

(No, not like that. But now I’ve doomed you all. (Via Doctor Who)

The reason why the Seraphim cover their eyes is their humility. They stand before God, as the highest of His servants, and yet they are still but His humble crated creatures. They cover their eyes so that they are not blinded by His glory, which would cause them to burst from love.

The second set of wings covers their feet. This is a sign of respect for God, and to understand it, we have to look at the culture of the time Isaiah was writing. Feet are dirty, filthy things. It is considered a grave insult (even to this day, in the Middle East) to turn one’s feet in the direction of another. It is even worse to do so before a superior. This is what startled the disciples so much when Jesus went to wash their feet on Holy Thursday. So the Seraphim keep their feet covered completely to demonstrate God’s ultimate authority over them and over all creation.

The final set is for flight, so that they may come before God’s throne with ease. Now, many argue that — since angels do not really have physical form — their wings must be metaphorical, a symbol of their spiritual nature. To this, I merely gesture to the vast number of winged spirits in other mythological traditions and argue that anything is possible if God wills it so. We’ll resolve that one after we die, symbolists.

Now, what exactly so the Seraphim do? By all accounts, we know that they directly serve God, ministering to Him and proclaiming his glory. They are the angels who blessed the mouth of Isaiah with a burning coal (and therefore perhaps look after all prophets in one way or another). But mostly what they do is burn with Love.

It makes sense that this is why they burn. They stand in the presence of Love Incarnate, and thus exude and reflect that all-consuming fire.

St. Thomas Aquinas (the Church’s authority on Angelology) puts it thus:

The name “Seraphim” does not come from charity only, but from the excess of charity, expressed by the word ardor or fire. Hence Dionysius (Coel. Hier. vii) expounds the name “Seraphim” according to the properties of fire, containing an excess of heat. Now in fire we may consider three things.

First, the movement which is upwards and continuous. This signifies that they are borne inflexibly towards God.

Secondly, the active force which is “heat,” which is not found in fire simply, but exists with a certain sharpness, as being of most penetrating action, and reaching even to the smallest things, and as it were, with superabundant fervor; whereby is signified the action of these angels, exercised powerfully upon those who are subject to them, rousing them to a like fervor, and cleansing them wholly by their heat.

Thirdly we consider in fire the quality of clarity, or brightness; which signifies that these angels have in themselves an inextinguishable light, and that they also perfectly enlighten others. (Summa Theologia, I, 108,5)

Thus, the nature of Holy Fire in itself is the very essence and overwhelming presence of Love (Caritas/Agape, the universal love). This is why it is the most powerful force in the Heavenly arsenal, and why it can destroy even the most powerful demon (as they are creatures of envy and hate, the opposites of love). And it is generated directly from God, poured out over his servants in their fervent need to be near him, to serve him with their whole beings.

May we grow to burn with the fire God’s Love as our heavenly brethren, seeking always to do His Will above all things.

-E.G. Norton