According to medieval Christian theologians, the Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs.The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the Fourth or Fifth century, in his book The Celestial Hierarchy. However, during the Middle Ages, many schemes were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications (some authors limited the number of Choirs to seven).In The Celestial Hierarchy, the author drew on passages from the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 6:12 and Colossians 1:16 (considered by modern scholars to be very tentative and ambiguous sources in relation to the construction of such a schema), to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were: The Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini at the National Gallery London, shows three hierarchies and nine orders of angels, each with different characteristics Enlarge The Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini at the National Gallery London, shows three hierarchies and nine orders of angels, each with different characteristics * First Hierarchy: o Seraphim o Cherubim o Thrones or Ophanim * Second Hierarchy: o Dominions or Kyriotetes o Virtues or Dynameis o Powers or Exousiai * Third Hierarchy: o Principalities or Archai o Archangels o Angels :-) for more explanation see some angel site LOL ciaaoo This image is for the sweet sweet and kind Debbie M that is always professional and adorable.. thanks debby smack Monkey Orietta