thrones: the ophanim。
oriphiel possesses multiple titles of rank, primarily Ruler of the Ophanim and Prince of the Seventh Heaven.
a little religious context:
"oriphiel" goes also by orifiel, phanuel, and ophaniel, depending on the speaker invoking his name. in certain theological texts (and sometimes disputed, as is characteristic of most religious documentation), he is called not only one of seven archangels but also "ruler of the ophanim". and, in the same texts, the ophanim - literally translated to mean "thrones" - are often equated with an order of angels also referred to explicitly as "thrones". other theological traditions consider thrones and the ophanim to be separate entities and, instead, equate thrones with a rank of angels called "virtues". some of the same texts that discuss ophanim, thrones, and virtues consider these groups to be entirely different from the classification of archangel, and that archangels are not, in fact, those of the highest rank. in summation, each of these definitions is open to interpretation.
interpretations of this context and my roleplay canon therein:
the ophanim/throne angels, of which there are most notably four, are living symbols of god's justice and authority, and they preside in various forms over "repentance unto hope among those who inherit eternal life". eternal life, also known as salvation, is not judged upon a code of morality or strict religious doctrines but instead upon the achievement of spiritual enlightenment. the path toward enlightenment often involves reincarnation. guiding humans along this path, the ophanim are commonly thought of as great, turning wheels-within-wheels, their rims covered in eyes with which they observe the activities of the universe, primarily those on earth.
oriphiel, the angel closest to nature, is the embodiment of judgment's impulse and the culling of the herd (or natural selection). as such, he is also indeed chief of the throne angels, or the ophanim, located in the first and highest "sphere" of angelic beings. there are three spheres of angels known to man, and all those within the first sphere shall herein go also by the umbrella title of "archangel". this first sphere consists of three types of angels existing in equal rank: the seraphim, the cherubim, and the ophanim.
the first sphere also contains the "seventh heaven", the highest of seven heavens total and closest to the divine throne of god (or the ultimate spirit of enlightenment), in which the aforementioned three subgroups of archangels reside when they are not dispatched to earth to aid mankind and communicate to them the mysteries of divinity.
the sixth, fifth, and fourth heavens in order of rank or proximity to god exist within the second sphere, and the third and final sphere contains the final and lowest three heavens (third, second, and first).
an angel's rank determines how much contact with mankind they are commanded or permitted to have. those of the lowest rank and sphere spend the most time interacting with humans; those of the highest rank and sphere are meant to govern earth in the service of god but to appear physically to humans rarely, in times of dire need.
to take on a material, human shape visible and tangible to mankind in order to communicate with them weakens divine strength among higher angels, not only of stamina but also of conviction. for archangels, these moments must be chosen carefully.
archangel michael, ruler of the seraphim rank and chief of all angels, takes great pains to select angels worthy of each rank and duty and to govern them in god's name. michael, meaning "he who is godlike", was created first by god and is considered his dearest and most trusted child.
he is also oriphiel's best friend, as close to him as a brother.
for all this, and known to very few in his employ, michael is not at all what he seems.
a little religious context:
"oriphiel" goes also by orifiel, phanuel, and ophaniel, depending on the speaker invoking his name. in certain theological texts (and sometimes disputed, as is characteristic of most religious documentation), he is called not only one of seven archangels but also "ruler of the ophanim". and, in the same texts, the ophanim - literally translated to mean "thrones" - are often equated with an order of angels also referred to explicitly as "thrones". other theological traditions consider thrones and the ophanim to be separate entities and, instead, equate thrones with a rank of angels called "virtues". some of the same texts that discuss ophanim, thrones, and virtues consider these groups to be entirely different from the classification of archangel, and that archangels are not, in fact, those of the highest rank. in summation, each of these definitions is open to interpretation.
interpretations of this context and my roleplay canon therein:
the ophanim/throne angels, of which there are most notably four, are living symbols of god's justice and authority, and they preside in various forms over "repentance unto hope among those who inherit eternal life". eternal life, also known as salvation, is not judged upon a code of morality or strict religious doctrines but instead upon the achievement of spiritual enlightenment. the path toward enlightenment often involves reincarnation. guiding humans along this path, the ophanim are commonly thought of as great, turning wheels-within-wheels, their rims covered in eyes with which they observe the activities of the universe, primarily those on earth.
oriphiel, the angel closest to nature, is the embodiment of judgment's impulse and the culling of the herd (or natural selection). as such, he is also indeed chief of the throne angels, or the ophanim, located in the first and highest "sphere" of angelic beings. there are three spheres of angels known to man, and all those within the first sphere shall herein go also by the umbrella title of "archangel". this first sphere consists of three types of angels existing in equal rank: the seraphim, the cherubim, and the ophanim.
the first sphere also contains the "seventh heaven", the highest of seven heavens total and closest to the divine throne of god (or the ultimate spirit of enlightenment), in which the aforementioned three subgroups of archangels reside when they are not dispatched to earth to aid mankind and communicate to them the mysteries of divinity.
the sixth, fifth, and fourth heavens in order of rank or proximity to god exist within the second sphere, and the third and final sphere contains the final and lowest three heavens (third, second, and first).
an angel's rank determines how much contact with mankind they are commanded or permitted to have. those of the lowest rank and sphere spend the most time interacting with humans; those of the highest rank and sphere are meant to govern earth in the service of god but to appear physically to humans rarely, in times of dire need.
to take on a material, human shape visible and tangible to mankind in order to communicate with them weakens divine strength among higher angels, not only of stamina but also of conviction. for archangels, these moments must be chosen carefully.
archangel michael, ruler of the seraphim rank and chief of all angels, takes great pains to select angels worthy of each rank and duty and to govern them in god's name. michael, meaning "he who is godlike", was created first by god and is considered his dearest and most trusted child.
he is also oriphiel's best friend, as close to him as a brother.
for all this, and known to very few in his employ, michael is not at all what he seems.