Uriel Facts for Kids

For other uses, see Uriel (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Saint Uriel
Mosaic of St. Uriel by James Powell and Sons, at St John's Church, Warminster
Archangel
Venerated in	Rabbinic Judaism Eastern Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Oriental Orthodoxy Lutheranism Anglicanism Methodism
Major shrine	St. Uriel's Episcopal Church
Feast	29 September (Western) 8 November (Eastern) 28 July (Hamle 23) (Ethiopian)
Attributes	Fire in palm; book, scroll, flaming sword, disc of the sun, celestial orb or disc of stars and constellations, chalice
Patronage	Arts, confirmation, sciences, poetry, judgement, prophecy
Catholic cult suppressed	745 by Pope Zachary (Latin Church)

Uriel, also sometimes called Auriel or Oriel, is the name of an important archangel. An archangel is like a chief angel. His name means "God is my Flame" or "God is my Light" in Hebrew. Uriel is known in several religious traditions, including some parts of Judaism and Christianity.

People often connect Uriel with truth, wisdom, and knowledge. He is seen as one of the main archangels in the Russian Orthodox Church and in some folk traditions. The Anglican Church also recognizes him as one of the four main archangels. Uriel has appeared in many ancient writings and stories. In some old texts, Uriel is mentioned alongside other angelic figures. The name Uriel is also used in some Celtic cultures, thanks to a 7th-century saint named Urielle.

Uriel in Religious Traditions
Uriel in Mystical Traditions
See also

Uriel in Religious Traditions

Names and Early Mentions

In the main books of the Hebrew Bible, angels usually don't have names. Only two archangels, Michael and Gabriel, are named in these Jewish scriptures. Another important angel, Raphael, is found in the Book of Tobit. This book is accepted by some Christian churches, like the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church. Other churches, like Lutheran and Anglican churches, consider it an ancient religious text.

When people talk about four main archangels, Uriel is often the fourth one. He is sometimes called Phanuel, which means "God has turned." Uriel's name, "God is my flame," is different from Phanuel's. This makes some people wonder if they are the same angel.

Uriel, on the right, in the famous painting Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci.

Uriel's Roles in Ancient Stories

Uriel appears in an ancient text called the Second Book of Esdras. In this story, the prophet Ezra asks God many questions. God sends Uriel to help Ezra understand things. Uriel is also mentioned in other old Christian writings.

One story tells how Uriel helped protect Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. During a dangerous time ordered by King Herod, Uriel carried John and his mother, Saint Elizabeth, to safety. They later met up with the Holy Family after their Flight into Egypt. This meeting is shown in Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Virgin of the Rocks.

Uriel is often seen as an angel of deep thought and change. Some stories say he guards the entrance to the Garden of Eden with a fiery sword. He is also described as an angel who watches over the world and a place of judgment called Tartarus in some ancient beliefs. In other tales, Uriel helped bury Adam and Abel. He is also said to have marked the doors in Egypt during a famous ancient plague.

Today, Uriel is known as an angel of wisdom and salvation. He is often shown holding a book or a scroll, which represents knowledge. Uriel is also considered a supporter of the arts.

A medieval stained-glass panel showing Archangel Uriel with Esdras in Kingsland, Herefordshire.

Uriel in Eastern and Western Churches

The Angelic Council, an Eastern Orthodox icon showing the Seven Archangels. Uriel is in the middle, to the right of Michael.

In Eastern Orthodox churches, Uriel is honored with other archangels on November 8th each year. He is seen as a patron saint of arts and sciences. Also, every Monday is a special day dedicated to angels.

Anglicans and Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Eritrea also honor Archangel Uriel. In Ethiopia, his feast day is July 11th. An Ethiopian teaching describes Uriel as a great archangel who explained prophecies to Enoch and Ezra. It also says that during the crucifixion of Jesus, Uriel collected some of the blood and water from Christ's side in a cup. He then sprinkled it over Ethiopia, and a church was built wherever a drop fell. Because of this, Uriel is often shown in Ethiopian art holding a chalice with the blood of Christ.

In the 8th century, Pope Zachary and church leaders in Rome decided to clarify how angels should be honored. They wanted to make sure people didn't worship angels instead of God. Because of this, Uriel's name was removed from the list of angels officially honored in the Roman Catholic Church. Only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, who are named in the main Catholic scriptures, remained.

However, Uriel continued to be important in other ways. In the 16th century, a friar named Antonio Lo Duca said Archangel Uriel appeared to him. Uriel asked him to build a church. This led to the creation of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs in Rome, designed by Michelangelo.

Uriel in the Book of Enoch

Uriel is said to have explained prophecies to Enoch and Ezra. This painting is in Howick, Northumberland.

The Book of Enoch is an ancient religious work that mentions Uriel many times. In one part, it names four important angels: Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. Another part lists seven angels, including Uriel, who is described as being "over the world and over Tartarus" (a place of judgment).

The Book of Enoch tells a story where Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel spoke to God on behalf of humans. They asked for help when some angels, called the Grigori, made bad choices. These Grigori married human women, and their children were giants called the nephilim. Uriel was also responsible for warning Noah about the coming great flood.

After the giants and the fallen angels were judged, Uriel explained what would happen to them. He then became a guide for Enoch throughout much of the book, helping him understand visions and prophecies.

Uriel in Anglican Tradition

Stained glass showing Archangel Uriel as a guardian of the sun in Chester Cathedral.

In the Episcopal and other Anglican churches, Uriel is recognized as an archangel. He is considered the patron saint of confirmation, a special religious ceremony. Some Episcopal churches also see Uriel as the guardian of beauty and light. In art, he is sometimes shown holding a Greek column, which stands for perfect beauty, and a staff with the sun on top. Anglicans celebrate Uriel on the Feast of the Archangels. There is even a church named St. Uriel the Archangel in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

The famous motto of the University of Oxford, Dominus illuminatio mea, means "The Lord is my light" in Latin. This is a translation of Uriel's name.

Uriel in Mystical Traditions

In some mystical traditions, Uriel's name is often spelled Auriel. He is sometimes seen as the archangel of the North and connected to the element of Earth. In these traditions, Uriel is linked to the plants and growth of the Earth. Art from these groups might show him holding ripe wheat and wearing robes in colors like yellow, reddish-brown, olive green, and black.