Why so few archangels?

[Neil McFhane]

There must be a great number of angels, considering every believer and church has it's guardian angel - Can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons?
There are thought to be nine choirs of angels, but as far as I've heard there are only 7 archangels - Why so few?
I would suggest that perhaps the archangels have very specific roles and 7 suffices, but that is just a guess. Of course, I've probably missed something obvious.

(Sorry if this is the wrong forum!)

[Bohm Bawerk]

Originally Posted by Neil McFhane

There must be a great number of angels, considering every believer and church has it's guardian angel - Can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons?

There are two main theories about Guardian angels. One theory is that a Guardian Angel is assigned to each and every person. The other theory is that only the Archangels act as Guardian Angels - so, for example, St. Michael may be the Guardian Angel of all people with some Israeli heritage or St. Raphael may be the Guardian Angel of all doctors. That's just an example, but hopefully you understand my point.

Originally Posted by Neil McFhane

There are thought to be nine choirs of angels, but as far as I've heard there are only 7 archangels - Why so few?
I would suggest that perhaps the archangels have very specific roles and 7 suffices, but that is just a guess. Of course, I've probably missed something obvious.

(Sorry if this is the wrong forum!)

Firstly, it's important to note that "Archangel" doesn't necessarily refer to the hierarchy of archangels. It is often said that St. Michael is actually a part of the Seraphim, but is called "Archangel" because the prefix "Arch-" means "great".

When you go to a business, there are loads of those who work "on the ground", so to speak. As you move further up in the firm's hierarchy, you find fewer people - fewer supervisors, fewer managers, fewer heads of department and few executives. It's the same way in Heaven. There are loads of angels but only a select number of Archangels.

[gilbs72]

I think the 7 are the only the ones named in the Bible, other manuscripts and by oral tradition or some other form of proof, as archangels. There must be more, but unless there is something to go by (document, apparition, tradition, etc.) we can't come up with a name. There are legions of guardian angels because they need not be named. I'm not so sure though since I haven't really read up on this topic.

[Scoobyshme]

We are limited here on earth in our understanding of heavenly things. We can only relate through material understanding, for the most part. Once we die and enter the beatific vision of God, the "veil" will be lifted and we will see the reality of heaven far more clearly. I suspect there will be an awful lot of, "OOOHHH! NOW that makes sense!" and "OOOHHH! I would've never thought of that!" type of thoughts then.

[Garyjohn2]

Originally Posted by gilbs72

I think the 7 are the only the ones named in the Bible, other manuscripts and by oral tradition or some other form of proof, as archangels. There must be more, but unless there is something to go by (document, apparition, tradition, etc.) we can't come up with a name.

"I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One. "
Tobit 12:15

I'm not sure if 7 "holy angels" is the same as 7 "arch-angels" but I think this is where we get the tradition?

[Alexander Roman]

In the Eastern Church there are eight and among the Old Rite Orthodox, nine Archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Salaphiel, Barachiel, Yegudiel, Uriel, Talaphiel and Hephael).

Some of the Fathers have said that there may very well be many more Angels, but we only know about those revealed to us.

Angels can and do have more than one patronage, just as saints do. It is always comforting to know that when we are in a room with friends, their angels are there with us.

We don't venerate our Guardian Angels enough or as they deserve. They work "overtime" to help us and our relationship to them should always be very direct.

In the Byzantine tradition, there is a Canon in honour of one's Guardian Angel that is ideally recited every night. Every Monday in the Byzantine tradition is liturgically dedicated to St Michael and all Angels. Monastics often fast on Mondays (as well as on Wednesdays and Fridays) to imitate the heavenly lives of the "Fleshless Ones."

We should also always honour the patron Angel of our homes and cities.

Alex

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

There are two main theories about Guardian angels. One theory is that a Guardian Angel is assigned to each and every person. The other theory is that only the Archangels act as Guardian Angels - so, for example, St. Michael may be the Guardian Angel of all people with some Israeli heritage or St. Raphael may be the Guardian Angel of all doctors. That's just an example, but hopefully you understand my point.



Firstly, it's important to note that "Archangel" doesn't necessarily refer to the hierarchy of archangels. It is often said that St. Michael is actually a part of the Seraphim, but is called "Archangel" because the prefix "Arch-" means "great".

When you go to a business, there are loads of those who work "on the ground", so to speak. As you move further up in the firm's hierarchy, you find fewer people - fewer supervisors, fewer managers, fewer heads of department and few executives. It's the same way in Heaven. There are loads of angels but only a select number of Archangels.

That is totally incorrect.
It is not a theory. Theories don't have to be believed.
It is a Church teaching which must be believed.

CCC 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

[Bohm Bawerk]

Originally Posted by thistle

That is totally incorrect.
It is not a theory. Theories don't have to be believed.
It is a Church teaching which must be believed.

CCC 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

Read my post again. It seems like you are more interested in debating for the mere sake of debating.

The Church teaches that everyone has a Guardian Angel. However, how this manifests itself is where the theory comes in. Certain theologians and individuals believe that every person is assigned one unique Guardian Angel. Other theologians and individuals believe that every person is assigned one of the three archangels (St. Michael, St. Gabriel or St. Raphael) as their Guardian Angel. From the reference point of the archangels however, they are acting as Guardian Angels over a number of people. We can't really know for sure, as the source of our knowledge concerning Guardian Angels is generally from private revelation (Scripture doesn't even mention them explicitly, but mentions them in passing).

You can only point to mere passage in the Catechism about Guardian Angels because the Church is not entirely sure about who they are. The Church only acknowledges their existence. That's where Church teaching stops. The Church does not teach whether we get either of the three Archangels mentioned in Scripture or a unique, unnamed Guardian Angel.

On a sidenote, and this is related to a slightly different topic, do you have any opinions/views of your own, or are you just here to quote the Catechism?

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

Read my post again. It seems like you are more interested in debating for the mere sake of debating.

The Church teaches that everyone has a Guardian Angel. However, how this manifests itself is where the theory comes in. Certain theologians and individuals believe that every person is assigned one unique Guardian Angel. Other theologians and individuals believe that every person is assigned one of the three archangels (St. Michael, St. Gabriel or St. Raphael) as their Guardian Angel. From the reference point of the archangels however, they are acting as Guardian Angels over a number of people. We can't really know for sure, as the source of our knowledge concerning Guardian Angels is generally from private revelation (Scripture doesn't even mention them explicitly, but mentions them in passing).

You can only point to mere passage in the Catechism about Guardian Angels because the Church is not entirely sure about who they are. The Church only acknowledges their existence. That's where Church teaching stops. The Church does not teach whether we get either of the three Archangels mentioned in Scripture or a unique, unnamed Guardian Angel.

On a sidenote, and this is related to a slightly different topic, do you have any opinions/views of your own, or are you just here to quote the Catechism?

You mean I should only make a comment if I disagree with the Church teachings?

Regarding angels (in fact it applies to all Church teachings) the Church doctrine NEVER comes from private revelations.

[Bohm Bawerk]

Originally Posted by thistle

Regarding angels (in fact it applies to all Church teachings) the Church doctrine NEVER comes from private revelations.

Which is what I'm alluding to. Read my post again. Church teaching stops at the acknowledgment of the existence of Guardian Angels. It doesn't say anything more than that. The ''theories'' concerning other aspects of Guardian Angels come from private revelation.

[puzzleannie]

Originally Posted by Neil McFhane

There must be a great number of angels, considering every believer and church has it's guardian angel - Can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons?
There are thought to be nine choirs of angels, but as far as I've heard there are only 7 archangels - Why so few?
I !)

we have no idea how many archangels there are, only that 3 are named specificially and their roles described in the bible.

[CuriousBystandr]

Hi. I can't answer your question specifically, but there is a book called All About the Angels by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan. From what I understand, it is a must read!

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

Which is what I'm alluding to. Read my post again. Church teaching stops at the acknowledgment of the existence of Guardian Angels. It doesn't say anything more than that. The ''theories'' concerning other aspects of Guardian Angels come from private revelation.

Wrong! Read your post #7 again. I quote your own words:

"One theory is that a Guardian Angel is assigned to each and every person".

That is NOT a theory. It is a Church teaching.

[Bohm Bawerk]

Originally Posted by thistle

Wrong! Read your post #7 again. I quote your own words:

"One theory is that a Guardian Angel is assigned to each and every person".

That is NOT a theory. It is a Church teaching.

Ughhh...

It was in response to the OP's question about "can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons". The OP clearly understands what Church teaching is about Guardian Angels - namely, that every person has a Guardian Angel. His question was whether we get a unique Guardian Angel or whether an angel acts as a Guardian Angel over multiple people. To which I responded and gave the two main theories I've seen concerning the nature of Guardian Angels. Please do everyone a favour, and for the sake of keeping the thread on track, read the thread from the start. Perhaps read it twice. Real slow...

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

Ughhh...

It was in response to the OP's question about "can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons". The OP clearly understands what Church teaching is about Guardian Angels - namely, that every person has a Guardian Angel. His question was whether we get a unique Guardian Angel or whether an angel acts as a Guardian Angel over multiple people. To which I responded and gave the two main theories I've seen concerning the nature of Guardian Angels. Please do everyone a favour, and for the sake of keeping the thread on track, read the thread from the start. Perhaps read it twice. Real slow...

That is not a correct answer to the OP's question.

The question - "can a single angel be guardian to multiple persons"
Your answer - "One theory is that a Guardian Angel is assigned to each and every person".

Your answer is wrong. It is NOT a theory that a guardian angel is assigned to each and every person. It is a Church teaching.