Additional Information

History Of Archangel Uriel

The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame of God." This is because Archangel Uriel brings the light, or flame, of knowledge from God to mankind. His symbol is an open hand holding a flame. His name is interpreted variously as, "God is My Light"; "God is Light"; "Radiation of God"; "God is the Radiating Principle of Light", and, "Fire of God." Archangel Uriel stands with a fiery sword at the Gate of the Lost Eden. His symbol is an open hand holding a flame, which he offers as the Flame of Love towards all souls. Archangel Uriel rules Ministration and Peace. In the Book of Enoch Uriel was called the Angel who "watches over thunder and terror" (Enoch 1).Identified as both a seraph and a cherub, Archangel Uriel is most well known for his role as Regent of the Sun in the book of Revelation where he calls forth the birds of the air to feast upon the fallen. As one of the most faithful and dedicated members of the host, Uriel was also placed in charge of Tartarus (another name for Hades). He is often shown holding the keys to Hades for this reason. Archangel Uriel is also credited for  warning Noah of the impending flood (although Raphael is credited with teaching the building of the ark), and attacking Moses for failing to circumcise his son.

Archangel Uriel is one of the four main archangels in the Christian traditions. The others are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Uriel is considered to be Archangel of the Earth. This means he is responsible for protecting people from floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. He is believed to have warned Noah of the impending flood. Some people believe that Uriel appears in storms and rainbows. Because of this close association with the Earth, Uriel acts as a channel between the Earth and the divine, bringing God's plan into the material world. Uriel is the Archangel of Prophecy and helps people develop their psychic and intuitive skills. He provides insights in the form of visions, dreams, and perceptions. Uriel is the Archangel of Poetry and Music. He helps and encourages people engaged in any form of creativity. Archangel Uriel's glyph is a flash of lightning, and he willingly provides flashes of inspiration for people who need it. Archangel Uriel helps people gain greater insight and clarity into the motivations of others. This clarity also extends to helping people with vision problems.

Accepted as an archangel by the Church for many centuries, he was finally removed from the records in 745 CE as the Church became increasingly concerned with the prominence the public was placing upon angels. The Christian Church demoted Archangel Uriel in 745 C.E. Pope Zachary became concerned at the proliferation of angels that was occurring. He called together a church council who denounced all the angels who were not mentioned by name in the Scriptures. Until this demotion Archangel Uriel was considered one of the most important angels. Uriel was the most highly ranked angel to be treated this way.

Although Archangel Uriel is gentle, loving and kind, he is severe when people blaspheme or offend God. One of his tasks is to punish sinners. Consequently, he is also known as the Angel of Retribution. An ancient tradition says that Archangel Uriel was the angel who wrestled with Jacob for a full night (Genesis 32: 24-30). In the apocalypse, Uriel appears as the Angel of Repentance who is graphically depicted as being about as pitiless as any demon you would not want to meet in hell.

Archangel Uriel has never been a popular subject of artistic representation.  A few images once graced churches in Rome, but Uriel fell out of favor with church officials in the early Renaissance period.  Pope Clement III reportedly ordered the removal of Uriel's image from the church of Santa Maria del Angeli in Rome, and a painting in the church in Piazza Esedra was painted over.  The reason seems to have been a mistaken notion that Archangel Uriel was somehow connected with the Johannine heresy which claimed that John the Baptist, not Jesus, was the true messiah.   Needless to say, there is no evidence of such a connection.  Uriel the Archangel escaped unjust criticism in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, and it is in South America that we have found--and still find--the greatest reverence for the archangel.   However, as discussed below, interesting centers of devotion are found in the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States.