Thrones belong to the first and highest triad of the heavenly host, standing just below the Seraphim and Cherubim. This position makes them some of the most powerful angels in service to the Lord. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Thrones have the task of pondering the disposition of divine judgments. In other words, they carry out or fulfill the divine justice of the Lord.
Like their counterparts in the first angelic triad, they come the closest of all Angels to spiritual perfection and emanate the light of God with mirrorlike goodness. They, despite their greatness, are intensely humble, an attribute that allows them to dispense justice with perfect objectivity and without fear of pride or ambition. Because they are living symbols of God's justice and authority, they are called thrones and have as one of their symbols the throne.
Characteristics
This group of Angelic Princes are often called "Wheels." It is said that they were the actual wheels of the Lord's Heavenly chariot. "The four wheels had rims and they had spokes, and their rims were full of eyes round about." They are also frequently referred to as "many-eyed ones."
