De laudibus sancte crucis

A decorative initial M features floral and vine motifs.

Rightly indeed do the orders of the holy angels and the armies of the celestial host agree with the holy Cross in name and number. They do this to praise the victory of the eternal King and to proclaim the greatness of their joy through their honorable office. The text of the Gospel records that they not only gave praise at the hour of Christ's birth and ministered to Him later in the desert, but it also clearly narrates that they were present in their required duty during the time of His passion and resurrection. It is most necessary to believe they are devoted to this matter, because the more worthily they serve in His army, the more devotedly they praise His triumph. There are, therefore, nine orders of angels as Holy Scripture commends to us: these are, Angeli Angels, Archangeli Archangels, Virtutes Virtues, Principatus Principalities, Potestates Powers, Dominationes Dominions, Throni Thrones, Cherubin Cherubim, and Seraphin Seraphim.

To explain these, let us use the words of the blessed Pope Gregory: "Nearly all pages of the sacred word testify that there are angels and archangels. The books of the prophets also frequently speak of Cherubim and Seraphim. The apostle Paul enumerates the names of four orders to the Ephesians, saying: 'Above every principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion' Ephesians 1:21. Again, writing to the Colossians, he says: 'Whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers' Colossians 1:16. He had already described the dominions, principalities, and powers when speaking to the Ephesians, but when about to speak to the Colossians, he first mentioned the thrones, about which he had said nothing to the Ephesians. Therefore, when the thrones are joined to those four he mentioned to the Ephesians—that is, the principalities, powers, virtues, and dominions—there are five orders specifically expressed. When the angels, archangels, cherubim, and seraphim are added to these, there are beyond doubt found to be nine orders of angels."

Hence it is said through the prophet to that angel who was created first: "You are the seal of resemblance, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, you were in the delights of the paradise of God" Ezekiel 28:12. It should be noted that the first angel was not made in the likeness of God, but is called the "seal of resemblance." This suggests that because his nature is more subtle, the image of God is expressed more similarly in him. In that same place, it is immediately added: "Every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, the topaz, and the jasper, the chrysolite, the onyx, and the beryl, the sapphire, the carbuncle, and the emerald" Ezekiel 28:13. Behold, he named nine types of stones, because there are surely nine orders of angels. That first angel was adorned and covered by these orders because, as he was placed over all the hosts of angels, he was brighter in comparison to them.

But let us examine what mystery this arrangement of the nine orders of angels on the Cross suggests to us. This figure of the holy Cross holds in its lower part two orders, that is, the Angeli and Archangeli. In the right arm it holds two, which are the Virtutes and Potestates. In the left arm likewise two, the Principatus and Dominationes. In the middle it holds one, the Throni. In the upper part likewise two, the Cherubin and Seraphin. These names are very fitting for proclaiming the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and are suitable for narrating His magnificence and power.

FIRST BOOK. FOLIO VIII.

For whom do the Angeli and Archangeli placed in the lowest part of the Cross announce, if not Him who descended from heaven to earth, namely the Angel of Great Counsel sent to announce to the gentle, so that the stronger might bind the strong man and plunder his vessels? And whom else do the Virtutes, Potestates, Principatus, and Dominationes placed in the arms of the Cross proclaim, if not Him of whom it is written: "The right hand of the Lord has wrought strength" Psalm 118:16; and again: "All power is given to me in heaven and on earth" Matthew 28:18; and also: "And the government original: principatus was placed upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of the world to come, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6; and again: "And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth" Psalm 72:8?

Whom then do the Throni Thrones placed in the middle of the cross signify in their union, if not Him to whom it was said, as the apostle testifies: "Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom" Hebrews 1:8? And as the Psalmist says: "You sit upon the throne, you who judge with equity" Psalm 9:4. And whom do the Cherubin and Seraphin signify, placed at the summit of the Cross, if not Him of whom the apostle says: "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Colossians 2:3; and again: "Our God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:29? For Cherubin is interpreted as the "fullness of knowledge," and Seraphin as "burning" or "setting on fire."

But we do not proclaim these things concerning the orders of angels as if we were making them equal to the Only-begotten. Rather, through the offices and names of the subordinate creation, we venerate the mysteries of His dispensation. For He Himself is God and the Lord of angels, begotten of God the Father before all ages, that is, of the substance of the Father. In the last of ages, born of a virgin mother, He took human nature upon Himself, being sent to defeat the prince of this world. He did this to despoil the principalities and powers, openly triumphing over them in Himself. The Father raised Him from the dead and placed Him at His right hand in the heavens, above every principality, power, virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. He subjected all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, which is His body.

Therefore, the nine larger letters that form the shape of the Cross on this page sound out this phrase: THE CROSS IS SALVATION original: CRVX SALVS. Each of these letters holds one of the nine orders of angels. This will be easily apparent to anyone who knows the letters and is not ignorant of the names of the nine orders.