332 ST. MARK’S REST

the first fifteen years of the ministry of St. Matias were spent in Palestine; and lastly, St. Mark is reported to have been sent by St. Peter to Egypt, and there founded the Church at Alexandria.

157. (X.) CHRIST AND THE ANGELS.

We pass lastly to the altar-dome, already partly described in the “Requiem” chapter of this book (§ 95).

In the centre is Christ triumphant, enthroned on the stars, with the letters IC XC once more on either side of him. In the circle with him are two angels, whose wings veil all but their faces; round it are nine other angels, ruby-coloured for love, and bearing flaming torches. “He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire.”¹

Lower down round the dome are the “angels and archangels and all the company of heaven,” who “laud and magnify his glorious name.” These heavenly agencies are divided into three hierarchies, each of three choirs, and these nine choirs are given round this vault.

Hierarchy I.Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones

Hierarchy II.Dominations, Virtues, Powers

Hierarchy III.Princedoms, Archangels., Angels

.

“The first three choirs receive their glory immediately from God, and transmit it to the second; the second illuminate the third; the third are placed in relation to the created universe and man. The first hierarchy are as councillors; the second as governors; the third as ministers. The Seraphim are absorbed in perpetual love and adoration immediately round the throne of God; the Cherubim know and worship; the Thrones sustain the seat of the Most High. The Dominations, Virtues, Powers, are the regents of the stars and elements. The three last orders-Princedoms, Archangels, and Angels-are the protectors of the great monarchies on

¹ [Psalms civ. 4: see above, p. 102.]

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