Mystical Vision International

Archangel Uriel
Feast day: July 28

One more archangel is often mentioned by name and found in church dedications, art, and lists of the principal archangels, Uriel, whose name means, "God is light" or "God is fire." The principle source of information about this archangel is found in the apocryphal Book of 2 Esdras. There he has an extensive role responding to questions raised by the prophet Ezra and helping him to wrestle with the problem of theodicy (the seeming contradiction between the goodness of God and the justice of God) which is a perennial issue in theological discourse. In another apocryphal book, Enoch, Uriel is the angel who warns Noah about the flood and this role of rescuer of those in danger is reprised in New Testament apocryphal writings where it is Uriel who carries John the Baptist and his mother Elizabeth to safety when Herod's men massacre the Innocents of Bethlehem. In the 8th century, Pope Zachary restricted the veneration of angels to three, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, relegating Uriel and others to the footnotes of official angelology due to what was perceived as a dangerous popular tendency toward angel worship.


Saint Uriel the Archangel

Scriptural References


    The Hebrew word for angel means “messenger, envoy”.  Uriel is one of the chief archangels, the others being Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel.  In Hebrew literature, Uriel is associated with light and is referred to as, the one who brings light to Israel.  In Hebrew, the word Uriel means “Fire of God”.  He is shown with an open hand holding a flame.  The open hand signifies an openness to receive God's light.  The fire inside his palm is a reminder of the intensity of reception of this light.  A book or scroll symbolizes this angel's talents for interpretation.

    Uriel is mentioned in the book of Enoch, serving as God’s messenger to Noah.  He also appears in II Esdras, where he is sent by God to enlighten Esdras who is in perplexity about the problem of evil and the ways of God (II Esd. 4:1).

Prayer to Saint Uriel

O Holy Angel St. Uriel, whose name means “God is my Light”

We pray that you will guide our thoughts and actions with the Light of Christ.

We ask that you guard and protect us against all the attacks of Satan

Who has tempted man since the Garden of Eden.

May you and all the choirs of Angels intercede for us before the Most Holy Trinity

That we may receive mercy and eternal life in heaven, We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen  

 Happy Moments, Praise God
Difficult Moments, Seek God
Quiet Moments, Worship God
Painful Moments, Trust God
Weak Moments, Lean On God
Sad Moments, Take Comfort In God
Joyful Moments, Be Joyful In God
Fearful Moments, Call On God
Confused Moments, Listen To God
Illness Moments, Turn To God
Peaceful Moments, Reflect On God
Sleeping Moments, Dream Of God
Waking Moments, Thank God
Every Moment Love God