Seraphim angels are the highest choir of angels known in the tradition of the Catholic faith. They are known as “the burning ones” because of their fervent love for God. Seraphim are six winged angels who praise the glory of God in His throne room in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.
#1 Characteristic About Seraphim
Seraphim angels have six wings.
Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered. Isaiah 6:2
Seraphim Are the Highest Choir of Angels
The seraphim are the highest choir of angels, and it would seem this may be signified by their wings. The seraphim have six wings. The cherubim have four wings.
| Angel | Seraphim | Cherubim |
|---|---|---|
| 6 wings | Isaiah 6:2 | |
| 6 wings | Revelation 4:8 | |
| 4 wings | Ezekiel 1:6 |
Nine Choirs of Angels
Many of the saints throughout the centuries of the Church have believed there to be nine choirs of angels. These choirs are known to be comprised of three hierarchies: Highest Orders, Middle Orders, and Lowest Orders of angels.
Highest Orders: #1 Seraphim, #2 Cherubim, #3 Thrones
Middle Orders: #4 Dominations, #5 Virtues, #6 Powers
Lowest Orders: #7 Principalities, #8 Archangels, #9 Angels
The Seraphim are #1 in the highest order, the 1st hierarchy of the 9 choirs of angels.
“The Cherubim love especially to contemplate God’s knowledge which is without limit, but the Seraphim love the charity that never passes away….“Cherubim” denotes the fullness of knowledge, but those called “Seraphim” are burning or enkindled.” + St. Bernard of Clairvaux
The Throne Room of God
It should be noted that both verses about the seraphim having six wings were in the throne room on God in heaven. The prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the four living creatures (attributed to the cherubim) occurred here on earth. It might be implied the two extra wings signify the presence of a higher realm (in heaven) than on earth.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This should be where the seraphim are, in the throne room of God. This might be why they are called the burning ones. And also when the scriptures are proclaimed to us at Mass, we feel the Divine presence.
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
They Covered Their Faces, Feet, and Flew
The Seraphim angels covered their faces and their feet with their wings. Why did they do this? It would seem out of respect to the overwhelming presence of the Almighty God, possibly similar to something like seeing the sun shining brightly in the sky.
Consider this verse about Christ from the Book of Revelation.
His face shone like the sun at its brightest. Revelation 1:16b
#2 Characteristic About Seraphim
Seraphim angels praise God unceasingly.
One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:3
Seraphim Burn with Pure Love for God
The seraphim is derived from the Hebrew word “seraph,” which means, “fiery” or “burning.” They are pure spirits that burn with love for God. A way to think about the seraphim is the flames of the candles on the four corners of the altar at Mass.
“The flames of the Lord’s love burn beyond the stars.” – St. Columban
Seraphim Sing Aloud in Praise of God
Day and night they do not stop exclaiming…Revelation 4:8
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus (Holy! Holy! Holy!)
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we sing aloud the same verses of praise the seraphim angels sing in the Bible, the sanctus prayer.
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord, GOD of power and might. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” + Sanctus
Catholic families praise God at the Mass along with seraphim! Consider these verses:
Isaiah’s Vision
St. John’s Vision
Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered. One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:2-3
The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” Revelation 4:8
It would seem the seraphim have multiple faces along with the cherubim angels, “with two wings they covered their faces,” The four faces have been considered to be symbolic of the four gospels: St. Matthew, St, Mark, St. Luke, and St. John
#3 Characteristic About Seraphim
Seraphim angels seek our communion with God.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. Isaiah 6:6
Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist at the Mass
The prophet Isaiah mentions in verse 6:2 the seraphim praise God with angelic zeal.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord!…Heaven and Earth are full of your glory!“
Their praises shakes the whole foundation of the celestial sanctuary, and it sets the tone for receiving Christ reverently and faithfully at the Mass. Simply said, the seraphim want us to receive Christ with a clean conscience and a pure heart.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Psalms 51:12
The Seraphim Desire Our Purification from Sin
St. Cyril of Alexandria, who is a Greek Church Father and Doctor of the Church, said the tongs the Seraphim held are symbolic of the law and prophets, which is the Word of God. The apostles preach the truth, and we receive the Word in faith at the Mass.
“Isaiah means that we receive faith in and knowledge of Christ from the teachings or announcements in the law and the prophets, in which the word of the holy apostles confirms the truth.” + St. Cyril of Alexandria
What does the holy ember represent? Christ in the holy Eucharist! When the ember touches Isaiah’s lips, the burning heat purges him of his sins, and it heals him.
He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Isaiah 6:7
St. John Damascus explains that the ember is filled with fire within just as the bread we receive at holy communion is not bread but the Real Presence of the living God.
For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29
“Isaiah saw a live coal, and this coal was not plain wood but wood joined with fire. Thus also, the bread of communion is not plain bread but bread joined with the Godhead.” + St. John Damascus
Soon after, the Lord calls out, “Whom shall I send?” And Isaiah answers the call. That is what Christ does to us in the Eucharist. It purges our sins, heals and restores us, and it sends us out on mission for God. That is what the Mass (missa), means, to be sent.
That is what they holy seraphim angels want for us. They want us to commune with God, be healed and restored from our sins, and answer God’s calling in our lives.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” Isaiah 6:8
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