THE NINE GEMSTONES OF THE ANGELIC ORDERS
In the beginning, the Holy Trinity created everything to exist. The angels were created to help in this process as oracles of God's light, and were covered with an array of gemstones to reflect this light. Thus, gemstones were created to reflect God's light, that is, His Divine Presence. The prophet Ezekiel recalls:
"'Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, topaz, and jasper; chrysolite, beryl, and onyx; sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and wrought in gold were your settings and your engravings.
On the day that you were created they were prepared."'
[Ezekiel 28:12-13 (RSVCE)]
In his commentary on Exekiel's prophecy, Saint Gregory the Great explains:
"Behold he mentioned the names of nine stones,
since there are nine perfect orders of angels."
- Saint Gregory the Great, Doctor Universalis [Moralia, xxxii 48; Homily in Exekiel 34.]
In his commentary on Exekiel's prophecy, Saint Gregory the Great explains:
"Behold he mentioned the names of nine stones,
since there are nine perfect orders of angels."
- Saint Gregory the Great, Doctor Universalis [Moralia, xxxii 48; Homily in Exekiel 34.]