Archangel

An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Whether in the Catholic or the Protestant Bible, the term "archangel" appears only twice: once where it is applied to Michael, and a second where it is used generically.

Religiou Views on Archangels
Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. The Book of Tobit—recognized in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, but considered apocryphal by Protestants—mentions Raphael, who is also considered to be an archangel.

The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast on September 29 (formerly March 24 for Gabriel and 24 October for Raphael).

The named archangels in Islam are Gabriel, Michael, Israfel and Azrael. In Zoroastrianism, sacred texts allude to the six great Amesha Spenta (literally "divine sparks") of Ahura Mazda.

Other traditions have identified a group of seven Archangels, the names of which vary, depending on the source.