Hello, I'm an expert in religious studies with a focus on Christian angelology. The concept of archangels, especially the four archangels, is rooted in various religious traditions, including Christianity. In Christian theology, the four archangels are often considered to be
Michael,
Gabriel,
Raphael, and
Uriel.
Michael is traditionally seen as the leader of the archangels. He is mentioned in the Bible in the books of Daniel, Revelation, and Jude. Michael is often depicted as a warrior and is considered the protector of the people of Israel.
Gabriel is known as the angel who announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, as described in the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel is also mentioned in the Islamic tradition as the angel who revealed the Quran to Muhammad.
Raphael is mentioned in the Book of Tobit in the Apocrypha (which is part of the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon but not included in most Protestant versions of the Bible). Raphael is often associated with healing and is considered a guide and healer.
Uriel is mentioned in various non-canonical texts and is often associated with wisdom and light. He is sometimes considered the angel of repentance.
It's important to note that the recognition and roles of these archangels can vary between different Christian denominations and other religious traditions. Additionally, the concept of archangels is not universally accepted among all Christians, and some may only recognize Michael and Gabriel from the canonical scriptures.
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