Uriel - Name, Rank, and Identity
Uriel is one of the most prominent archangels in various religious and esoteric traditions. His Hebrew name, Uriel (אוּרִיאֵל) or Oriel (אוֹרִיאֵל), means "God is my Flame" or "God is my Light." 🔥 While only Michael and Gabriel are named in the canonical Hebrew Bible, Uriel is commonly recognized as the fourth archangel, representing one of the four cardinal points alongside them and Raphael.
He holds numerous titles reflecting his diverse roles, including the archangel of wisdom, repentance, and salvation. In apocryphal and occult literature, his name has sometimes been equated or confused with other angelic figures such as Phanuel, Sariel, and Nuriel. The name was also assimilated into Celtic culture as Urielle.
Role in Apocryphal and Gnostic Texts
Uriel's character is most extensively developed in non-canonical scriptures, where he acts as a divine messenger, guide, and agent of God's will.
In the Book of Enoch: Uriel plays a central role. He is one of the four holy angels who stand before God to advocate for humanity against the fallen Watchers. Most notably, he is the angel sent to warn Noah of the impending great flood. He also serves as a guide for the prophet Enoch, interpreting visions and explaining the fates of fallen angels and the structure of the cosmos.
In 2 Esdras: He is the angel sent by God to instruct the prophet Ezra, answering his questions about divine justice and the end of the world.
In Christian Apocrypha: Uriel is credited with rescuing John the Baptist and his mother, Saint Elizabeth, from King Herod's Massacre of the Innocents, leading them to safety in Egypt with the Holy Family.
In Gnosticism: The Secret Book of John, an early Gnostic text, places Uriel in control of the demons that participated in the creation of Adam.
Veneration in Religious Traditions
Devotion to Uriel varies significantly across different branches of Christianity.
Orthodox Churches: The Eastern Orthodox tradition venerates Uriel as a patron of the arts and sciences, commemorating him with all other angels on November 8.
Ethiopian and Coptic Churches: Uriel is highly revered, with a feast day on July 11. A unique Ethiopian tradition holds that at the Crucifixion, Uriel collected Christ's blood in a chalice and sprinkled it across Ethiopia, with a church being built on every spot a drop landed. Consequently, he is often depicted in Ethiopian iconography holding a chalice. 🍷
Anglicanism: The Anglican Communion recognizes Uriel as an archangel and the patron saint of the sacrament of Confirmation. He is regarded as the regent of the sun and keeper of beauty and light. The longstanding motto of the University of Oxford, Dominus illuminatio mea ("The Lord is my light"), is a direct Latin translation of Uriel's name.
Catholicism: While popular in folk tradition, official veneration of Uriel was suppressed by a synod in Rome in 745 to curb excessive angel worship, leaving only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as licitly revered archangels. However, devotion persisted, and a major basilica in Rome was later built at the direction of a friar who claimed to have had an apparition of Uriel.
Symbolism in Esotericism and Iconography
In esoteric traditions like Hermetic Qabalah, Uriel (often spelled Auriel) is the archangel of the North and the element of Earth, associated with nature and vegetation.
His depiction in art varies with his role. He is often shown holding a book or a scroll to symbolize wisdom, a fiery sword as the guardian of the Gate of Eden, an Ionic column in Anglican tradition to represent aesthetics, or the aforementioned chalice in Ethiopian art.