The Enchiridion 58

sant'Agostino d'Ippona (354–430 d.C.) · De fide spe et charitate · PL 40, 230–290

58 We Have No Certain Knowledge of the Organization of the Angelic Society PL 40, 259

Now, what the organization is of that supremely happy society in heaven: what the differences of rank are, which explain the fact that while all are called by the general name angels, as we read in the Epistle to the Hebrews, “but to which of the angels said God at any time, Sit on my right hand?” (this form of expression being evidently designed to embrace all the angels without exception), we yet find that there are some called archangels; and whether the archangels are the same as those called hosts, so that the expression, “Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts,” is the same as if it had been said, “Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His archangels;” and what are the various significations of those four names under which the apostle seems to embrace the whole heavenly company without exception, “whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:”—let those who are able answer these questions, if they can also prove their answers to be true; but as for me, I confess my ignorance. I am not even certain upon this point: whether the sun, and the moon, and all the stars, do not form part of this same society, though many consider them merely luminous bodies, without either sensation or intelligence.

Angelorum quae sint differentiae, et an Angeli sint sidera, incertum. Quomodo autem se habeat beatissima illa et superna societas, quae ibi sint differentiae praepositurarum, ut cum omnes tanquam generali nomine Angeli nuncupentur (sicut in Epistola ad Hebraeos legimus: Cui enim Angelorum dixit aliquando, Sede a dextris meis ? hoc quippe modo significavit omnes universaliter Angelos dici), sint tamen illic Archangeli: et utrum iidem Archangeli appellentur Virtutes; atque ita dictum sit, Laudate eum, omnes Angeli ejus; laudate eum, omnes Virtutes ejus ; ac si diceretur, Laudate eum omnes Angeli ejus, laudate eum omnes Archangeli ejus: et quid inter se distent quatuor illa vocabula, quibus universam ipsam coelestem societatem videtur Apostolus esse complexus, dicendo, Sive Sedes, sive Dominationes, sive Principatus, sive Potestates , dicant qui possunt, si tamen possunt probare quod dicunt: ego me ista ignorare confiteor. Sed ne illud quidem certum habeo, utrum ad eamdem societatem pertineant sol et luna et cuncta sidera: quamvis nonnullis lucida corpora esse, non cum sensu vel intelligentia, videantur .

Philip Schaff (ed.), Buffalo/New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886-1889. Public domain: English translation first published 1885-1900 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series). Latin: Migne, Patrologia Latina (1844-1855), public domain; transcription from Corpus Corporum (University of Zurich).

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