The Twenty-Four Heavenly Priests, Saint Seraphim
The Heavenly Priests, Saint Seraphim are the highest hierarchy in the tribe of the Angel’s World, the closest to God, which the Book of Synaxarium refers them as, “The Twenty-Four Elders.” Seraphim is a Hebrew word meaning “fire,” and it symbolizes the heat of their love of God. (Synaxarium Hidar 24)
Mid the celestial beings in the heavenly world, Saint Seraphim’s nature is unique for their bodies are entirely filled with eyes and obtain six wings which protects them from the heat of the Lord. It is stated in the Holy Bible as, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple, above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly, and one cried to another, and said: “Holy, Holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:1-3)
They use two of their wings to cover their face, the other two to cover their legs and the last ones for flying, whilst making the sign of the cross. Their six wings signify three signs which are “Sign of fear, sign of mission and sign of cross.
The Book of Revelation affirm about their creation and ministry. “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)
Saint Seraphim are the Angels who burn incense around the throne of God. Saint John stated his witness as, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” (Revelation 8:3)
In accord to Holy Scriptures and Patristic Fathers, Seraphim are Twenty-Four in number because they praise the Almighty God twenty-four hours constantly. Additionally, as they carry the sum of the twelve Patristic Fathers in the Old Testament and the twelve Saint Apostles in New Testament, they are twenty-four.
Seraphim serve not only in praising God, but also help ascend the prayer, sacrifice and incense of earthly Priests and righteous. Our Holy Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church celebrate their feast day on Hidar 24, in commemorating them and also in the creed of their intercession and mediation.
May Saint Angels Seraphim, the Heavenly Priests, pray for the salvation of us by pleading mercy and grant us country peace, love and harmony, Amen!