Archangel Uriel – patron of the Arts, Enlightenment and Spirit of sharpest vision in all of Heaven

Painting The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo Da Vinci (The Virgin, Saint John the Baptist, The Child Jesus and the Archangel Uriel)

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Archangel Uriel – patron of the Arts, Enlightenment and Spirit of sharpest vision in all of Heaven:

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In the Book of Adam and Eve, Uriel

is identified as the cherub who stands near the gates of Eden with a burning sword to prevent human access to the tree of life (Genesis). In the Life of Adam and Eve Uriel is considered as the spirit that fulfills this role. He is also identified as one of the angels who buried Adam and Abel.

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In the Book of Enoch he mentions Uriel, in some places he is said to be the angel of the world and of the place of the dead (Hades, Tartarus, Sheol) or “who is over” them, but in others it is said that he is called “the angel of thunder and trembling” (or of fear).

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Another quote from the Book of Enoch (9: 1) mentions Uriel among the four archangels high in the sky (which some interpret as the four cardinal points), but in the fragments found in Qumran instead of his name is that of Sariel.

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Also, some versions of that book (10: 1-3) assign Uriel the role of announcing to Noah the arrival of the Flood, but other versions mention Asaryalyol or Sariel fulfilling that mission.

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In Christian angelology – though in a marginal way – Uriel is sometimes identified as Serafin, Cherub, Regent of the Sun, Flame of God, Angel of the Divine Presence, Archangel of Salvation, above Tartarus (Hell).

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It is sometimes identified as Phanuel, “Face of God”. He is represented by taking with him a book or a roll of papyrus, which symbolizes his wisdom.

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Uriel is considered a patron of the arts and was described by Milton as the “sharpest spirit of vision in all of heaven.”

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In several apocryphal gospels Uriel participates in the upbringing of John the Baptist, who being very small saves from the massacre of babies ordered by Herod. Uriel leads Juan and his mother to Egypt, where they meet the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a story that inspired the work of Leonardo da Vinci The Virgin of the Rocks.

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In the Apocalypse of Peter appears as Angel of Repentance, devoid of mercy. In the apocalyptic tradition, Uriel has the key that will open Hell at the End of Time.

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