An Classy Academic Putdown

In the Times Literary Supplement letters section:

Seraphim

Sir, – Your picture of the mosaic recently uncovered in Hagia Sophia (see the caption on page 3, July 31) includes the comment that it may be a representation of one of the seraphim, “the highest rank of angels in the Christian angelic hierarchy, where they make their first appearance in the Book of Revelation”. There may be seraphim in the Book of Revelation (although I was unable to find them at first glance), but their first appearance is in the Book of Isaiah 6.2. But perhaps Isaiah is no longer considered part of the Christian tradition.

SUSAN WEINGARTEN
Department of Jewish History,
Tel Aviv University,
PO Box 39040,
Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv.