How do we know the names of the angels mentioned in the Doxology that are not named in the Bible?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

The Coptic Orthodox Church identifies the names of the seven archangels primarily through Holy Tradition and apocryphal writings that were preserved and vetted by the early Church Fathers and the rite-arrangers.

While the Holy Bible explicitly names three archangels—Michael (ⲙⲓⲭⲁⲏⲗ), Gabriel (ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ), and Raphael (ⲣⲁⲫⲁⲏⲗ in the Book of Tobit, which is in our Deuterocanon)—the names of the remaining four (Sariel, Suriel, Sedakiel, and Ananiel) come to us through the following channels:

1. Sacred Tradition (ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲥⲓⲥ)

In the Coptic Church, "Tradition" is not merely folklore; it is the living memory of the Church. The early Church in Alexandria, being a center of profound theological and mystical learning, preserved the names of these "seven who stand before the throne of God" (referenced in Revelation 8:2 and Tobit 12:15). The names were passed down through the centuries and eventually codified in our liturgical texts.

2. The Influence of Second Temple Literature

Books like 1 Enoch and 4 Esdras, though not included in our biblical canon, were widely read by early Christians and Jews. These books contain lists of the heavenly hosts. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, exercised "discernment of spirits" to extract certain truths from these writings. While the books themselves were not deemed inspired Scripture, the names of the angels were accepted as part of the historical and spiritual heritage of the people of God.

3. Liturgical Confirmation

In the Coptic Church, the ⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲓⲁ (Liturgy) is a primary source of theology. If the Church prays a name in a doxology, a hymn, or the ⲧⲁⲣϩ (Explanation), it is because the Church has officially sanctioned that name as part of her faith.

In the Doxology of the Heavenly Orders, we chant:

"Seven archangels always stand, praising Him who is the Almighty: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Sedakiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel."

By including these names in the ⲯⲁⲗⲙⲟⲇⲓⲁ (Psalmody) and the Synaxarium, the Church confirms their identity for the faithful.

4. The Patristic View

Early Fathers, such as St. Clement of Alexandria and others in the Catechetical School, were well-versed in the "orders" of the celestial hierarchy. They taught that while God’s essence is unknowable, He reveals the names of His messengers so that we may develop a relationship with them as our guardians and intercessors.

The Seven Archangels in the Coptic Rite

1. Michael (ⲙⲓⲭⲁⲏⲗ): "Who is like God?" (the first and chief).
2. Gabriel (ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ): "Man of God" or "Power of God."
3. Raphael (ⲣⲁⲫⲁⲏⲗ): "God heals."
4. Suriel (ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ): "God is my rock" (the trumpeter).
5. Sedakiel (ⲥⲉⲇⲁⲕⲓⲏⲗ): "Justice of God."
6. Sarathiel (ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲑⲓⲏⲗ): Often associated with "Prayer of God."
7. Ananiel (ⲁⲛⲁⲛⲓⲏⲗ): "Grace of God."

There are slight variations in the names of the last three in different Eastern traditions, but the Coptic Church has remained consistent in these specific seven as seen in our ⲭⲓⲇⲙⲁⲧ ⲁⲗ-ϣⲁⲙⲁⲥ (Service of the Deacons) and hymnbooks. We honor them on the 13th of every Coptic month, and specifically on the Feast of the Seven Archangels.