Part II — The First Hierarchy: Before the Throne of God11 / 35 sections
Part II — The First Hierarchy: Before the Throne of God
For Lessons 5 & 6
Supplement
10 min read
Personal Application
This supplement is a heart-to-heart companion to the preceding two lessons — addressing your immediate personal needs and practical application of the truths studied.
Supplement 3 — For Lessons 5 & 6: The Seraphim and Cherubim
Key Terms
Seraphim (saraph, "to burn") — The highest choir of angels, defined by burning love for God. They stand closest to God in the order of creation.
Cherubim (kerub) — The second choir, defined by fullness of divine knowledge. They guard the sacred: Eden, the Ark, the Temple, the throne of God.
Trisagion — "Holy, Holy, Holy" — the hymn of the Seraphim in Isaiah 6:3, quoted in the Sanctus of every Mass.
Mercy Seat (kapporeth) — The cover of the Ark of the Covenant, flanked by the golden Cherubim, where God promised to meet Israel Exodus 25:22.
Beatific Vision — Direct sight of God's essence; the Seraphim and Cherubim enjoy this eternally as the highest created beings.
Scripture Memory
Isaiah 6:2-3 "Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.'"
Genesis 3:24 "He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life."
Ezekiel 1:26 "And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne... and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance."
Comparison: Seraphim vs. Cherubim
| Feature | Seraphim | Cherubim |
|---|---|---|
| Defining quality | Burning love | Fullness of knowledge |
| Wings (Scripture) | Six Isaiah 6:2 | Four Ezekiel 1:6 |
| Primary scriptural setting | Isaiah's throne vision | Ark of Covenant, Ezekiel's chariot |
| Function | Ceaseless adoration | Guardianship of sacred presence |
| Position in hierarchy | Highest (1st) | Second (2nd) |
| Liturgical echo | The Sanctus at Mass | The golden Ark; the Eucharist |
Questions for Reflection
- 1 The Seraphim cover their faces before God. What does this tell us about the proper disposition of any creature in the presence of the Creator — including us in prayer?
- 2 Isaiah, seeing the Seraphim, cries "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips" Isaiah 6:5. The vision of holiness reveals sinfulness. Have you ever had a moment in prayer when beauty or holiness made you more aware of your need for purification?
- 3 The Cherubim are placed wherever God's special presence is pledged — Eden, the Ark, the Temple. What does this consistent pattern reveal about the nature of holiness?
- 4 The Mass quotes the Seraphim's song. The tradition holds that the angels attend every Eucharist. How might this awareness change the way you participate in Sunday worship?
- 5 The Cherubim have four faces: man, lion, ox, and eagle. The Church tradition has long associated these four faces with the four Evangelists. What might this connection suggest about the relationship between Scripture and the angelic world?