Arcangel Saint Jehudiel

Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite (5th century), with his text De coelesti hierarchia, and Saint Thomas Aquinas (1224/1225-1274) established the angelic hierarchies that we know today, as well as their distinctive visual elements. 

The Lower hierarchy, related to the Holy Spirit, was closer to the earthly and human world. The archangels, principalities, and angels are chargen with carrying out God’s orders related to nations or individuals. 

The series of archangels represented in the upper part of the eastern and western walls of the presbytery of the Santa Clara Museum are part of the last hierarchy. 

Of the nine paintings, seven appear to have been made by the same hand. They depict the three archangels mentioned in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael; three apocryphal archangels, Uriel, Jehudiel and Sealtiel; and the Holy Guardian Angel. 

The identity of the archangel depicted is established by the inscription found at the bottom of the work, which reads “S. JEHUDIEL.” 

Jehudiel is referenced in some early Gnostic texts as one of the seven beings that make up the choir of archangels. 

Elements such as the wings denote the celestial character of the archangel, along with the use of the pictorial resource known as rompimiento de gloria, where, through a cluster of clouds and a golden light, the earthly plane is divided from the spiritual one. 

Jehudiel is depicted holding the Bible. Rays of light emanate from it. This attribute links Jehudiel to the angelic armies described in the Apocalypse and demonstrates the closeness of this celestial being to the biblical texts. 

His image is also always related to penitence, which is why he often appears with a whip to punish sinners, and a crown, to reward the faithful for their spiritual virtues.