Order of Heaven
The "Celestial Hierarchy" or "Order of Heaven" in Dionysius the Areopagite is a central aspect of his mystical theology and plays a crucial role in his overall understanding of the spiritual world. In this work, Dionysius describes the structure of the angels and the divine hierarchy, which explains the universe and the relationship between the divine and the world.
🌌 The Celestial Hierarchy in Dionysius the Areopagite:
Dionysius presents the celestial hierarchy as a three-tiered structure that divides the angels into different choirs or "angelic orders." These choirs are interconnected and reflect proximity to God, with the most exalted angels being closest to the divine, and the lower angels increasingly closer to the material world.
💫 The Three Levels of the Celestial Hierarchy:
Dionysius divides the angels into three main groups, each of which is divided into three subgroups, resulting in a total of nine choirs of angels. These angelic choirs are hierarchical and reflect the varying degrees of divinity each angel can experience.
1. The Supreme Hierarchy – The angels who communicate directly with God:
Seraphim: The Seraphim are the highest angels and are closest to God. Their name means "the burning ones," which indicates their intense love and transfiguration. They are in eternal closeness to God and live in a kind of unceasing ecstasy of love.
Cherubim: The Cherubim are angels of knowledge and understanding. They are often associated with divine wisdom and divine plans and are described as the bearers of the deepest divine knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.
Thrones: The Thrones are the angels who embody divine justice and authority. They are bearers of divine power and might and act as God's instruments to maintain and uphold divine order.
2. The Middle Hierarchy – The angels who act as mediators between God and the world:
Dominions: The Dominions are angels who administer the divine order in creation and possess the power to implement divine plans on Earth. They oversee the lower angels and convey God's will in the world.
Powers: The Powers are angels responsible for protecting and defending the divine plan. They are closely connected to the laws of nature and divine order. They help maintain balance in the cosmos and often act as guardian angels.
Powers (Potentates): These angels represent divine creative power and are entrusted with maintaining and protecting the order and laws of the universe.
3. The Lowest Hierarchy – The angels who deal with earthly affairs:
Principalities: The Principalities are angels responsible for the welfare of nations and peoples. They direct the political affairs of the world and promote the welfare of humanity according to divine commandments.
Archangels: Archangels are messengers and transmitters of the divine will. They are the closest intermediaries between the divine and humankind. Famous archangels such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are often considered the angels who maintain communication between heaven and earth and convey divine messages to humankind.
Angels: The angels in this last category are the angels closest to humankind. They are usually the angels who interact directly with humans to help, guide, comfort, and protect them.
🌿 The Structure of the Heavenly Hierarchy:
In Dionysius's scheme, the hierarchy is arranged in a descending order from the highest to the lowest, with each class of angels having specific tasks and roles in the divine plan. The angels in the upper hierarchy are the "purest" and most closely connected to God, while the angels in the lower hierarchy are closer to human beings and intervene directly in their lives.
The Function of the Angels:
The angels in the highest hierarchy are the objects of constant veneration and closeness to the gods, while the angels of the middle and lowest hierarchy act as active mediators connecting both the human and divine worlds.
The function of the angels in Dionysius' hierarchy is to mediate divine enlightenment and divine order. They mediate between the infinity of God and the finiteness of the world.
🌀 The Spiritual Significance of the Heavenly Hierarchy:
For Dionysius, the heavenly hierarchy is not just an esoteric theory, but a spiritual reality that represents the soul's path to union with God. The soul's elevation occurs in harmony with the divine order, as the soul elevates itself through purification, enlightenment, and union with God.
God moves, gradually distancing himself from the material world and drawing ever closer to the divine.
Dionysius sees the angels as helpers and guides in this process. The heavenly hierarchy is therefore also a spiritual map that describes the soul's ascent from the material world to divine union.
✨ Summary of the Order of Heaven according to Dionysius:
The Heavenly Hierarchy in Dionysius the Areopagite is a fundamental concept of his mystical theology. It describes the angels as a finely graded order that can help humans unite with the divine. The highest angels are directly connected to God, while the lower angels act as mediators and helpers for humans. Through the structure of this hierarchy, Dionysius explains not only the cosmos but also the spiritual ascent of humans and their possibility of reaching a mystical state of salvation through purification and union with the divine.