Seraphim are one of the nine ranks of Bodiless Hosts which serve God in Heaven. According to the prophecy of Isaiah, they have six-wings and stand closest to God: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above Him stood the Seraphim; each with six wings: with two they covered their face, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of Thy glory’” (Isaiah 6:2-3).
Due to their proximity to God and their appearance resembling fire (Hebrews 12:29; Daniel 7:9; Exodus 24:17; Psalms 103:4), they were given the name Seraphim, which in Hebrew means “flaming,” and are aflame with love for God and help to kindle this love in others.
Icon depictions of Seraphim with their six wings can be found on the extreme lower right and left-hand sides of our church’s eastern wall.
