Yadiel

If we held a contest for obscurity, Yadiel might win the blue ribbon. It took us a while to figure out where this name came from. It seems that Yadiel is the Spanish equivalent of the Hebrew Yehudiel (יהודיאל) meaning “praise of God”. In the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church (which developed quite differently from the Western Roman Catholic Church), Yehudiel is considered one of the seven archangels. Residing at the four corners of God’s throne are Michael (who is like God), Gabriel (man of God), Raphael (God’s healer) and Uriel (flame of God). The remaining three in Eastern Christian theology are Selaphiel (prayer of God), Yehudiel (praise of God) and Barachiel (blessings of God). Yehudiel or Yadiel (in Spanish) is usually portrayed in art holding a crown in one hand and a whip in the other. The whip is meant for those who don’t spiritually labor and the crown symbolizes a reward for those who do. He defends those who glory in God and is therefore invoked by people in positions of authority. The archangel Yehudiel also appears in some Catholic traditions where each of the seven Archangels is assigned one of the days of the week. Yehudiel presides over Friday. That brings new meaning to the term T.G.I.F.! Yadiel is a rare masculine name but it is used from time to time among Spanish speakers.