Finally, the third triad: Principalities, Archangels, Angels.

St. Dionysius says that the rank of an Angel depends on one's position in the Heavenly hierarchy, that is, on one's proximity to the Heavenly King, God.

The highest Angels glorify God, stand before Him. Other Angels, whose rank in the Heavenly hierarchy is lower, perform various tasks, for example, guarding people. These are the so-called service spirits.

The work of St. Dionysius is a remarkable achievement of Orthodox mysticism, theology and philosophy. For the first time, a harmonious teaching appeared, trying to show the principles of God's interaction with the world through angelic beings; for the first time, the variety of orders of angels mentioned in the Bible was put in order. However, it should be remembered that the classification of angelic ranks by St. Dionysius is not a strictly scientific work, but rather mystical reflections, material for theological reflection. The angelology of St. Dionysius, for example, cannot be used in the study of biblical angelology, since biblical angelology proceeds from other theological attitudes and develops according to different laws than that of St. Dionysius. However, for the work of a theologian, the system of St. Dionysius is irreplaceable, and here is why: in his work, the Byzantine thinker shows that the closer the Angelic order is to God, the more it becomes a partaker of the blessed Light and grace of God.

Each of the triads of Angels, writes St. Dionysius, has its own common purpose. The first is purification, the second is enlightenment, and the third is perfection.

The first triad, the first three higher orders—the Cherubim, the Seraphim, and the Thrones—are in the process of being cleansed of every impurity of something imperfect. Being near God, in constant contemplation of the Divine Light, they attain the highest degree of purity and purity of their angelic spirit, which strives to resemble the Absolute Spirit — God. And there is no limit to this perfection. No other creature of God can attain the dizzying degree of purity in which these Angels dwell. No one... except Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her, who bore under her heart, gave birth, swaddled, and raised the Savior of the world, we sing as "More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim."

The second triad – Dominions, Powers, and Authority – is constantly enlightened by the light of God's Wisdom, and in this there is no limit for it either, for the Wisdom of God is infinite. This enlightenment is not of an intellectual nature, but of a contemplative nature. That is, the Angels in awe and amazement contemplate the boundless and perfect Wisdom of God.

Finally, the work of the last triad – Principalities, Archangels, Angels – is perfection. This is a more understandable and specific type of service. These Angels, who have been partaken of God's perfection and will, bring that will to us and thus help us to improve.

St. Dionysius also emphasizes the fundamental difference in the characteristics of the natures of the Angels, who make up different triads. If the angelic nature of the first, higher, triad can be described as light and fire, then in the second Dionysius notes power and material characteristics, and the third triad is understood perfectly, as service to the will of God addressed to the world.

St. Dionysius defined not only the general ministry of the triads of Angels, but also the specific ministry of each of the nine ranks.

And the very name of the order will help us to find out what kind of service they carry.

Thus, the name Seraphim, which is borne by the highest Angels, is translated in Hebrew as "flaming", and the name Cherubim means "abundance of knowledge or outpouring of wisdom" (St. Dionysius the Areopagite). Finally, the name of the third rank of the first triad, Thrones, signifies the Angels removed from all earthly things, and shows us the striving of these Angels to "cling motionlessly and firmly" to the Lord.

Accordingly, it is possible to understand both the properties and qualities of the other two angelic triads.

Dominions instruct earthly rulers to govern wisely.