Organising Angels - The Iconography of the Orders of Angels, the Celestial Hierarchy

In this video I will explore with you the fascinating and complex subject of medieval Angelology - looking particularly at how the medieval mind understood angels to be organised and functioned. We will look at the work The Celestial Hierarchy by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and how angels were understood to be divided into orders each with different roles. This exploration of angels will be illustrated by two important fifteenth century works of art: the rood screen at Barton Turf in Norfolk and the Orders of Angels window in All Saints, North Street in York
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[@rhiannonpoole6019]

This is a wonderfukky clear explanation, thank you so much, Breathtaking illustrations, what a miracle that these works have survived.
Since discovering your channel round about Coronation time, I am working my way through your previous videos and enjoying every moment.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you're enjoying my videos, thanks for watching!

[@ButterBobBriggs]

Love seeing this, thank you for sharing the beautiful iconography. Looking forward to the courses.

[@allanbarton]

Thanks Bob - medieval England was a very colourful place, we have just a fraction of that iconography left. I will keep you posted with respect to the courses.

[@mothmanprophet11]

Really appreciate your comments regarding ancient texts and authorship. This is something that modernists misinterpret (understandably) all the time.

[@hugolandheer7008]

Just one word... Wonderful!

[@carolescutt2257]

😮 i smsuch a greatful subscriber you are such a relatable academic and wonderful narrator we are blessed 😊 Bravo Sir x

[@stevedunn3113]

Excellent presentation about something that confuses so many, especially me, Allan, and a brilliant idea to offer courses!

[@allanbarton]

Thanks Steve - it is rather confusing, but absolutely fascinating. I have a few courses on the boil at the moment, I will let you know when they are up and running.

[@Xanaseb]

Both the Barton Turf screen and the All Saints North Street stained glass are so beautiful and graceful in their representation, in a decidedly high/late Gothic manner.
I wonder, does the concept of archangels ruling over & protecting cities come from the same source - Dionysus via Gregory the Great, or is that from elsewhere?

[@carlahmed5737]

I think Father Stephen de Yonge's book The Religion of the Apostles speaks to this, albeit indirectly, if I remember correctly. The concept is certainly older even than Gregory the Great though, present in some form or another across the ancient near east I think.

[@Xanaseb]

@@carlahmed5737 thanks!

[@artdanks4846]

@@Xanaseb If I'm not mistaken, I believe this concept of angelic hierarchy also goes back to Judaism. Particularly in the Kabbalah.

[@TerryC69]

Hi Allan! This video was suggested by the alogrithm. There is a good bit more to learn about the angels than I ever imagined.

[@allanbarton]

It’s a fascinating subject Terry.,

[@rodneybaldwin2278]

The late fifteenth century composer Robert Wylkyson composed a nine part Salve Regina where each voice part represented one of the nine Angelic Orders

[@mortalclown3812]

Either Pseudo-Dionysus had friends in very high places or 6th century adult coloring books were light years ahead of our own. 💫🙏📿😇

[@tonyking1024]

Just discovered this.
Wonderful Illustrations and excellent commentary.
Looking forward to catching up on past material.

[@allanbarton]

Thank you Tony, I am really pleased you enjoyed it. Do keep coming back, there is more to come.

[@kathywolfe6606]

I love learning about angels!

[@nickimontie]

I was never clear about the hierarchy - thank you for this!

[@EarlHebert-c8w]

Pray the Chaplet of St. Michael. You'll learn.

[@dannymalboeuf1692]

Beautiful, thank you.

[@allanbarton]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 😊.

[@annthomas984]

Thank for an excellent lecture

[@allanbarton]

Thank you, you are most welcome!

[@EarlHebert-c8w]

Choirs of Angles. The 4th Chior are Dominions.

[@chiron14pl]

The face of the Dominations was scratched out. Any reason for that?

[@EarlHebert-c8w]

Iconoclasm.

[@ArchimandritePhilip]

Are there similar icons in Orthodoxy?

[@allanbarton]

I don't know of any on such a broad scale as these English examples - but the icon of the Synaxis of St Michael and the Bodiless Powers reflects Dionysius with the nine orders represented.

[@ArchimandritePhilip]

@@allanbarton Thanks. I think I shall go looking!

[@artdanks4846]

@@ArchimandritePhilip Here is a link to an Orthodox article, and accompanying iconography regarding the Angelic Hierarchy.
catalogueofstelisabethconvent.blogspot.com/2016/11/iconography-of-angels-and-other.html?m=1

[@Damian1975]

Interesting but most of this is speculation. These roles are absent in scripture and based mainly on pseudo-Dionysius

[@allanbarton]

Indeed so.