Concept in Definition ABC

The angel is one of the divine creatures present in many religions and represented in many different ways. One of the main features or elements of an angel is his function of messenger of God, in other words also described as an intermediary between the divine source and human mortals. The role of angels that comes to us today, as well as many other characteristics that make them up, is related more than anything to the tradition Christian in which the angels appear as servants of God and as protectors of the human being.

The term 'angel' derives from Latin angelius, word that means messenger. According to the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions (the three related to each other), the presence of angels in the divine space must watch with God's need to communicate with mortals to communicate important events to them, as well as to advise and guide them on the path of goodness and the peace. This is when it appears with great force the notion of 'guardian angel', that angel who is divinely assigned to each individual and whose elementary function is to care for, protect and guide whoever has been assigned. The guardian angel is always described as one of the kindest angels in the religious system.

It is incorrect think that all angels have the same rank within the religious structure to which reference is made. In this sense, one can clearly speak of hierarchies that have to do with the functions performed by each type of angel. These hierarchies are also linked to the closeness that these angels maintain with God. We can group the Christian angels into three major groups: the first, which includes the seraphim, cherubim and thrones (considered the very essence of God and not picture hers); the second group, composed of dominations, virtues and powers and, finally, the third group, in which we find the principalities, archangels and angels. Only the angels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are officially recognized by name within Christianity.