Page "Clement of Alexandria" Paragraph 31

Other known works exist in fragments alone, including the four eschatological works in the secret tradition: Hypotyposes, Excerpta ex Theodoto, Eclogae Propheticae and the Adumbraetiones.

These cover Clement's celestial hierarchy, a complex schema in which the universe is headed by the Face of God, below which lie seven protoctists, followed by archangels, angels and humans.

According to Jean Daniélou, this schema is inherited from a Judaeo-Christian esotericism, followed by the Apostles, which was only imparted orally to those Christians who could be trusted which such mysteries.

The proctocists are the first beings created by God, and act as priests to the archangels.

Clement identifies them both as the " Eyes of the Lord " and with the Thrones.

Clement characterizes the celestial forms as entirely different from anything earthly, although he argues that members of each order only seem incorporal to those of lower orders.

According to the Eclogae Propheticae, every thousand years every member of each order moves up a degree, and thus men can become angels.

Even the protoctists can be elevated, although their new position in the hierarchy is not clearly defined.

The apparent contradiction between the fact that there can be only seven protoctists but also a vast number of archangels to be promoted to their order is problematic.

The commonest modern explanation is that the number seven is not meant to be taken literally, but has a principally numerological significance.