08/31/2026
THE 9 CHOIRS OF ANGELS
WHO ARE THEY AND HOW DOES THE CHURCH UNDERSTAND THEM?
When Catholics hear the word “angels,” we often think of guardian angels, Saint Michael or perhaps the angels surrounding the throne of God.
But Catholic tradition speaks of something much broader: nine choirs, or orders, of angels.
Where did this idea come from? Are all nine explicitly listed in the Bible? And what does the Church actually teach about them?
The answer is fascinating.
The Church teaches that angels are real, personal, spiritual creatures created by God, but the familiar nine-choir hierarchy comes from the development of Christian theological tradition based on the different angelic orders mentioned in Scripture.
1. THE FIRST HIERARCHY
CLOSEST TO THE CONTEMPLATION OF GOD
SERAPHIM
The name is associated with the idea of “burning ones.”
In Isaiah’s vision, the seraphim stand before God’s throne, proclaiming:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts.” - Isaiah 6:3
They are traditionally associated with the burning love and worship of God.
SERAPHIM → LOVE & WORSHIP
CHERUBIM
Cherubim appear throughout Scripture in connection with God’s holiness and presence.
They guard the entrance to Eden after the Fall, and their imagery is associated with God’s throne and glory.
Biblical references: Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel 10:1–22.
Traditionally, they are associated especially with divine knowledge and contemplation.
CHERUBIM → KNOWLEDGE & CONTEMPLATION
THRONES
Thrones are named among the heavenly orders in the New Testament:
“Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.” - Colossians 1:16
Christian tradition associates the Thrones with God’s justice, authority and divine judgment.
THRONES → DIVINE JUSTICE & AUTHORITY
2. THE SECOND HIERARCHY
HEAVENLY GOVERNANCE
DOMINIONS
Dominions are traditionally understood as heavenly beings associated with authority and the ordering of God’s creation.
Their name appears among the heavenly orders mentioned by Saint Paul.
Biblical reference: Colossians 1:16.
DOMINIONS → AUTHORITY & GOVERNANCE
VIRTUES
The Virtues are traditionally associated with divine strength and the manifestation of God’s power.
The terminology can vary among biblical translations, so we should be careful not to claim that Scripture presents “Virtues” as a clearly defined choir in the same way it names angels and archangels.
VIRTUES → DIVINE STRENGTH & MIGHTY WORKS
POWERS
Powers are another order named in the New Testament.
Christian tradition associates them particularly with spiritual authority and resistance against evil.
Biblical reference: Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12.
POWERS → SPIRITUAL WARFARE & RESISTANCE
3. THE THIRD HIERARCHY
GOD’S MESSENGERS AND SERVANTS
PRINCIPALITIES
Principalities are named among the heavenly orders in Scripture.
Traditionally, they are associated with the guidance and protection of peoples, communities and earthly institutions under God’s providence.
Biblical reference: Colossians 1:16.
PRINCIPALITIES → GUIDANCE & PROTECTION
ARCHANGELS
The word “archangel” refers to a chief or prominent angel.
Scripture explicitly mentions an archangel:
“The Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel…” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Saint Michael is called “the archangel” in Jude 9, while Gabriel and Raphael are also traditionally honoured as archangels in Catholic tradition.
ARCHANGELS → IMPORTANT MESSAGES & MISSIONS
ANGELS
Finally, we have angels in the ordinary sense of the word: God’s messengers and servants who carry out His will and participate in His providential care for humanity.
The Letter to the Hebrews asks:
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” - Hebrews 1:14
This is also where we find the beautiful Catholic teaching about guardian angels.
ANGELS → MESSENGERS & SERVICE
BUT DOES THE BIBLE ACTUALLY LIST “9 CHOIRS”?
Not in one single passage.
This is an important distinction.
Scripture mentions different heavenly beings and orders, including seraphim, cherubim, angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers.
The complete classification into nine choirs arranged in three hierarchies was developed through Christian theological tradition, especially the influential work traditionally attributed to Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite.
So the nine-choir system is a traditional theological classification, not a list of nine ranks presented together in Scripture.
WHAT DOES THE CHURCH DEFINITELY TEACH?
The existence of angels is not merely a poetic idea.
The Catechism teaches:
“The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith.” - CCC 328
Angels are intelligent, personal spiritual creatures created by God. They glorify Him, serve His purposes and participate in His providential care.
And despite all the different orders and descriptions, the most important fact remains:
They are creatures.
They are not gods.
They do not compete with God.
They exist because God created them and gave them a place in His plan.
NINE CHOIRS. ONE CREATOR.
Whether we contemplate the seraphim before God’s throne, the archangel announcing God’s message or our own guardian angel accompanying us, the focus should never ultimately be on the angels themselves.
The angels point us toward God.
They remind us that heaven is filled with worship, that God’s creation is greater than what our eyes can see, and that the Lord has surrounded His people with spiritual servants who carry out His will.
NINE CHOIRS.
ONE CREATOR.
ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
SOURCES
*Sacred Scripture: Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 6:1–7; Ezekiel 10:1–22; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 1:14.
*Catechism of the Catholic Church, 328–336: Angels and their ministry.
*Pseudo-Dionysius, The Celestial Hierarchy: classical Christian development of the nine-choir classification.
Be Prayerful. Be Inspired.
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