shining ones

Originally used in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, 1678.

shining ones pl (plural only)

1. (often preceded by definite article) Angels or other celestial beings.
   • 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

     "You're very welcome here, you two strangers," she said. "But we would say to you that we want outward reverence. We respect the shining ones and we will not have them insulted." "I assure you we are very earnest and fair-minded," said Malone.