The Complete Works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite

THE CELESTIAL HIERARCHY The seminal 5th-century work by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, which established the classic Christian ranking of nine orders of angels.

Chapter I. That every divine enlightenment, which flows out in various ways according to goodness to those things governed by providence, remains simple; and not this alone, but also that it unifies those who are enlightened . . . . Page 1

II. That divine and celestial matters are aptly explained even by dissimilar signs The author argues that using "lowly" or "dissimilar" images for God—such as describing Him as a lion or a fire—is often better than using high-sounding titles, because it reminds the reader that God is actually beyond all human descriptions. . . . . 4

III. What Hierarchy is, and what its benefit may be . . . . . . . . 12

IV. What the name of the "Angels" signifies . . . . 15

V. Why all celestial beings are called by the common name "Angels" . . . . . 19

VI. Which is the first distinction of celestial beings, which the middle, and which the last . . 21

VII. Concerning the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, and their first Hierarchy . . . . . 22

VIII. Concerning the Dominions, Virtues, and Powers, and their middle Hierarchy . . . 29

IX. Concerning the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels, and their last Hierarchy . . . . 33

X. Recap and Conclusion of the Angelic order . . 37

XI. Why all celestial natures are called "Celestial Virtues" by a common name In this context, "Virtues" is used both as a specific rank of angel and as a general term for "powers" or "strengths" shared by all heavenly beings. . . . 39

XII. Why human High Priests are called "Angels" original: "Antistites." This term refers to religious leaders or bishops, highlighting their role as messengers between God and the human community. . . 41

XIII. Why the Prophet Isaiah is said to have been purified by a Seraph . . . . . . . . . 43

original vocabulary: Celestial Hierarchy, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, Angels, Prophet Isaiah