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The Four Incorporeal Creatures

"And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back."

(Revelation 4:6)
Wood Carvings of the Four Incorporeal Creatures at St. Mary and St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church

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Who are the Four Incorporeal - Living Creatures?

On November 17th, the church celebrates the Commemoration of the Four Living Creatures who carry the Throne of God as seen by St. John the Evangelist,

“The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

(Revelation 4:8-9)

“The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle”

(Revelation 4:7)

The Prophet Ezekiel, whilst in exile in Babylon, saw a heavenly vision depicting the Four Living Creatures (Ezekiel 1:4-28).

“There is nothing like the Four Living Creatures in their honor, neither in heaven nor on earth because they are carrying God’s Throne. They are created of light and fire. They are very strong and powerful. They appeal to God for the forgiveness of sins of mankind.”

St. John Chrysostom

The Interpretations of the Fathers of the Church

The Fathers of the Church, contemplating on the nature and role of the Four Living Creatures emerged with the following interpretations:

1. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Attributes of God

❖ The Man refers to God’s wisdom and knowledge
❖ The Lion refers to God’s power and majesty
❖ The Calf refers to God’s patience and justice
❖ The Eagle refers to God’s glory, height, and sight

2. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Four Gospels

❖ The Man refers to the Gospel of St. Matthew, who commenced his Gospel with the genealogy of Christ as the Son of Man.
❖ The Lion refers to the Gospel of St. Mark, who commenced his Gospel with the voice crying in the wilderness.
❖ The Calf refers to the Gospel of St. Luke, who commenced his Gospel with the sacrifices which Zacharias was offering in the temple.
❖ The Eagle refers to the Gospel of St. John, who commenced his Gospel with the divinity of Christ.

3. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Redeeming Work of Christ

St. Irenaeus says:
❖ The Man refers to Christ’s incarnation and humanity
❖ The Lion refers to Christ’s power, courage and victory
❖ The Calf refers to Christ’s sacrifice
❖ The Eagle refers to Christ’s divinity and ascension to heaven

4. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Sanctification of Human Nature

❖ The man refers to mental sanctification
❖ The Lion refers to sanctification of human authority
❖ The Calf refers to physical sanctification
❖ The Eagle refers to spiritual sanctification

5. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Stages of Christ’s Salvation

St. Jerome says,
❖ The Man refers to the Incarnation
❖ The Calf refers to the Crucifixion and Redemption
❖ The Lion refers to the Resurrection
❖ The Eagle refers to the Ascension

6. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Different Earthly Creatures

St. Chrysostom says:
❖ The Man refers to the human race
❖ The Lion refers to the wild beats
❖ The Calf refers to the tamed animals
❖ The Eagles refers to the birds

7. The Four Living Creatures Refer to the Living Church of Christ

❖ The Man refers to the Bishops
❖ The Lion refers to the Priests
❖ The Calf refers to the Deacons
❖ The Eagles refers to the Laity

8. The Four Living Creatures Refer to Various Forces of the Soul

St. Gregory of Nazianzus says:
❖ The Man refers to the gift of logic
❖ The Lion refers to the forces of rage
❖ The Calf refers to the carnal desires
❖ The Eagle refers to the spiritual desire

Their Feast

The church celebrates the commemoration of the Four Incorporeal Creatures on November 17th every year - the 8th day of the Coptic month of Hathor.

References

Coptic Reader App

Father Matthew Attia

St George Sunday School

St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Sydney