User blog comment:Enriant/Heaven and Hell/@comment-26982641-20160602080446/@comment-26982641-20160602092828

Kajune, Zachariah was never mentioned to be a Seraph. It was a lie. Currently all we can say is he's a high ranking angel. Also after Cas started the war, Raphael couldn't simply smite him. He can beat the hell out of Cas but was not able to smite as in 4th Season. I think the same way as you do about Gadreel. His powers and astral projection was same as Cas. Falling, is not about actual falling. It is cutting your connection from Heaven. Castiel's connection was cut when he decided to leave Heaven. Other angels however, expelled from their homes, they weren't actually fallen angels as its been said in fallen angel category page. That expel, broke their wings and weakened them in that way.