Angel

An angel is a supernatural being found in various religions and mythologies. Generally, they are placed into three orders, or "spheres".

First
The first sphere angels serve as the heavenly servants of God the Son incarnate.

Seraphim
Seraphim (singular "Seraph") literally translated "burning ones", are the highest angelic class and they serve as the caretakers of God's throne.

Cherubim
Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden and the throne of God.

Ophanim
They are living symbols of God's justice and authority, and have as one of their symbols the throne.

Second
Angels of the second sphere work as heavenly governors of the creation by subjecting matter and guiding and ruling the spirits.

Dominions or Lordships
The Dominions regulate the duties of lower angels. It is only with extreme rarity that the angelic lords make themselves physically known to humans. The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of angels, but they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their or on the pommel of their swords.

Virtues or Strongholds
These angels are those through which signs and miracles are made in the world.

Powers or Authorities
The primary duty of the "Powers" is to supervise the movements of the heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. Being warrior angels, they also oppose evil spirits, especially those that make use of the matter in the universe and often cast evil spirits to detention places. These angels are usually represented as soldiers wearing full armor and helmet, and also having defensive and offensive weapons such as shields and spears or chains respectively.

The Powers are the bearers of conscience and the keepers of history. They are also the warrior angels created to be completely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace. Their duty is to oversee the distribution of power among mankind, hence their name.

Third
Angels of the third sphere function as heavenly guides, protectors, and messengers to human beings.

Principalities or Rulers
The angels that guide and protect nations, or groups of peoples, and institutions such as the Church. The Principalities preside over the bands of angels and charge them with fulfilling the divine ministry. There are some who administer and some who assist.

Archangels
The word archangel derives from the Greek archein, meaning to be first in rank or power; and angelos which messenger or envoy.

Angels
The "angels" or malakhim are the lowest order of the angels, and the most. They are the ones most concerned with the affairs of living things. Within the category of the angels, there are many different kinds, with different functions. The angels are sent as messengers to humanity.