ȱ

AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ
ȱ
MICHAELȱERNST,ȱSALZBURGȱ

1.ȱTheȱAngels’ȱNatureȱandȱCelestialȱLiturgyȱ

Angelsȱ–ȱ ‫ڶ‬DŽDŽİNJǎǐȱviz.ȱ ‫ڶ‬DŽDŽİNJǎLj –ȱfulfilȱtheȱfunctionȱofȱconnectingȱaȱheavȬ

enlyȱ andȱ anȱ earthlyȱ world.ȱ Asȱ “specialȱ figuresȱ ofȱ power”1ȱ theyȱ haveȱ
beenȱentrustedȱwithȱaȱnumberȱofȱtasks:ȱguardianȱangels,ȱatoning,ȱinterȬ
preting,ȱ punishing,ȱ nations’ȱ angels,ȱ theȱ Lord’sȱ angel,ȱ angelsȱ ofȱ theȱ
heavenlyȱ host,ȱ andȱ severalȱ othersȱ more.ȱ Suchȱ functionsȱ wereȱ alreadyȱ
knownȱ inȱ earlyȱ Jewishȱ andȱ earlyȱ Christianȱ apocalyptics,ȱ thoughȱ thisȱ
didȱ notȱ yetȱ resultȱ inȱ worshippingȱ angels.ȱ Whenȱ theȱ worshippingȱ ofȱ
angelsȱgrewȱmoreȱandȱmoreȱincontrollableȱ(especiallyȱinȱAsiaȱMinor2),ȱ
inȱtheȱ5thȱ /ȱ6thȱcenturyȱADȱPseudoȬDionysiusȱAreopagitaȱfurtherȱdevelȬ
opedȱ theȱ systemȱ ofȱ celestialȱ andȱ terrestrial,ȱ i.e.ȱ invisibleȱ andȱ visibleȱ
hierarchies3ȱ whichȱ promotedȱ theȱ systemȱ ofȱ Christianȱ angelology.4ȱ AcȬ
cordingȱ toȱ himȱ theȱ angelsȱ formȱ aȱ hierarchyȱ withȱ fixedȱ ranks,ȱ andȱ theȱ
nineȱ namesȱ whichȱ weȱ findȱ forȱ theȱ celestialȱ ordersȱ inȱ Holyȱ Scriptureȱ
informȱusȱaboutȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱangelsȱandȱtheirȱgrouping.ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
1ȱȱ Cf.ȱforȱtheȱfollowingȱOnasch,ȱLexikonȱ100f.ȱ
2ȱȱ Cf.ȱasȱdocumentsȱforȱthisȱe.ȱg.ȱtheȱearlyȱByzantineȱinscriptionȱfromȱtheȱtheatreȱinȱMilet,ȱ
onȱwhichȱDeißmann,ȱ Lichtȱ393–399ȱcomments:ȱhereȱtheȱarchangelsȱnotȱonlyȱareȱreȬ
latedȱtoȱsequencesȱofȱvowels,ȱbutȱalsoȱtoȱcertainȱsymbolsȱ[NB:ȱinȱcorrectingȱtheȱfirstȱ
edition:ȱnotȱwithȱplanetaryȱsymbols!].ȱ
3ȱȱ Theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ aȱ hierarchicalȱ arrangementȱ ofȱ theȱ angels’ȱ worldȱ alreadyȱ existedȱ inȱ sevȬ
eralȱFathers’ȱwritings:ȱcf.ȱIgnatius,ȱTrall.ȱ5,ȱ2;ȱHermas,ȱVis.ȱ3,ȱ4,ȱ2;ȱIrenaeus,ȱhaer.ȱ2,ȱ30,ȱ
6;ȱClemensȱAlex.,ȱPaed.ȱ1,ȱ45,ȱ2;ȱand,ȱstrom.ȱ6,ȱ57,ȱ5;ȱ7,ȱ6,ȱ4;ȱcf.ȱalsoȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ171–173.ȱ
4ȱȱ Cf.ȱ PseudoȬDionysiosȱ Areopagita,ȱ Deȱ caelestiȱ hierarchia;ȱ heȱ combinedȱ hereȱ OldȬȱ andȱ
Newtestamentalȱ thoughts,ȱ Neoplatonicȱ speculationsȱ andȱ earlyȱ churchȱ mysticismȱ
andȱ establishedȱ aȱ doctrineȱ ofȱ heavenlyȱ orders.ȱ Whereasȱ withȱ theȱ earlierȱ Fathersȱ ofȱ
theȱChurchȱtheȱopinionȱprevailed,ȱthatȱangelsȱhadȱanȱaetherialȱbody,ȱtheȱAreopagiteȱ
regardsȱ themȱ asȱ pureȱ immaterialȱ spirits;ȱ nearlyȱ allȱ laterȱ Fathersȱ followedȱ him.ȱ Theȱ
systemȱdevelopedȱbyȱPseudoȬDionysiosȱstillȱacceptedȱbyȱtheȱOrthodoxȱChurchȱandȱ
itȱhadȱanȱenormousȱimpactȱonȱtheȱWesternȱchurch,ȱwhereȱPopeȱGregoryȱtheȱGreatȱ(†ȱ
604)ȱmadeȱitȱpopular;ȱforȱfirstȱinformationȱcf.ȱAltanerȱ/ȱStuiber,ȱPatrologieȱ501–505:ȱ
504.ȱ

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672ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

Theȱworldȱofȱspiritualȱhostsȱisȱclassifiedȱintoȱthreeȱtripartiteȱorders:ȱ
theȱfirstȱtriadȱconsistsȱofȱtheȱSeraphim,ȱtheȱCherubimȱandȱtheȱThrones;ȱ
theȱsecondȱisȱcomposedȱofȱtheȱDominations,ȱtheȱPrincipalitiesȱandȱtheȱ
Powers;ȱVirtues,ȱarchangelsȱandȱangelsȱformȱtheȱlowestȱtriad.ȱHowever,ȱ
Dionysiusȱ himselfȱ doesȱ notȱ alwaysȱ strictlyȱ keepȱ thisȱ sequence,5ȱ andȱ
othersȱ evenȱ lessȱ so.ȱ Butȱ alwaysȱ angelsȱ andȱ archangelsȱ takeȱ theȱ lowestȱ
ranks,ȱandȱtheȱCherubimȱandȱSeraphimȱ–ȱwhoseȱsequenceȱmayȱvaryȱ–ȱ
theȱhighest.ȱTheȱuppermostȱhierarchyȱdirectlyȱcommunicatesȱwithȱGod,ȱ
theȱ lowestȱ oneȱ directlyȱ communicatesȱ withȱ men,ȱ theȱ middleȱ oneȱ reȬ
ceivesȱ God’sȱ illuminationsȱ throughȱ theȱ uppermostȱ oneȱ andȱ transmitsȱ
themȱtoȱtheȱlowestȱhierarchy.6ȱ
TheȱSeraphim7ȱareȱaccordingȱtoȱtheirȱ(Hebrew)ȱnameȱtheȱ“burning”ȱ
orȱ “glowing”ȱ ones.8ȱ Revealedȱ asȱ everlastingȱ andȱ incessantȱ mobilityȱ
aroundȱ theȱ divineȱ theyȱ haveȱ theȱ powerȱ “toȱ purifyȱ byȱ burning,ȱ allȬ
consumingȱflames”,ȱasȱIsaiahȱtellsȱusȱinȱhisȱcallȬvisionȱ(Isaȱ6:1Ȭ13).ȱTheȱ
sixȬwinged9ȱ Seraphimȱ areȱ theȱ lightishȱ indicationȱ ofȱ God’sȱ presence;ȱ
theyȱareȱassociatedȱwithȱpurestȱlight,ȱfieryȱlove,ȱimmaculateȱpurity,ȱandȱ
wisdom.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ Germanosȱ ofȱ Constantinopleȱ theȱ deaconsȱ repreȬ
sentȱtheȱSeraphimȱinȱliturgy.10ȱ
Theȱ Cherubim11ȱ areȱ thoseȱ beingsȱ whoȱ areȱ characterizedȱ byȱ theirȱ
nameȱasȱ“abundanceȱofȱrecognition”,12ȱasȱ“profusionȱofȱwisdom”.ȱGodȱ
enabledȱ themȱ toȱ lookȱ atȱ himȱ directly;ȱ maybeȱ becauseȱ ofȱ thisȱ theyȱ areȱ
alsoȱ calledȱ ȺǎNJǑ‫ܟ‬NjNjĮIJĮ,ȱ theȱ multipleȬeyed.13ȱ Theyȱ areȱ “quadriȬformed”ȱ
(IJİIJǏ‫ܗ‬NjǎǏijǎǐ),ȱ thoughȱ itȱ isȱ notȱ clearȱ whetherȱ thisȱ attributeȱ refersȱ toȱ
everyȱsingleȱoneȱorȱtoȱallȱfourȱtakenȱtogether.ȱTheyȱspeakȱloudȱtheȱTriȬ
shagion14ȱtogetherȱwithȱtheȱSeraphim,ȱandȱtogetherȱtheyȱparticipateȱinȱ
theȱEucharist.15ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
5ȱȱ Cf.ȱDion.ȱAr.,ȱc.h.ȱ1,ȱ2.ȱ
6ȱȱ Cf.ȱDion.ȱAr.,ȱc.h..ȱ7,ȱ2,ȱ4;ȱ9,ȱ2,ȱ4;ȱ8.ȱ
7ȱȱ HebrewȱloanwordȱinȱGreekȱıİǏĮij‫ܝ‬Nj;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱcthfabvb.ȱ
8ȱȱ Cf.ȱHieronymus,ȱIs.ȱ6:ȱ21:ȱ„incendentesȱsiveȱcomburentes“;ȱGregorȱM.,ȱInȱevang.ȱ34,ȱ
10:ȱ„ardentesȱvelȱincendentes“.ȱ
9ȱȱ ‫ۃ‬ǍĮȺIJ‫ܙ‬ǏǑDŽĮ:ȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ178.ȱ
10ȱȱ Bentchev,ȱEngelikonenȱ34.ȱȱ
11ȱȱ HebrewȱloanwordȱinȱGreekȱǒİǏǎǑǃ‫ܝ‬Nj;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱüêhedbvs.ȱ
12ȱȱ Cf.ȱe.ȱg.ȱClemensȱAlex.,ȱstrom.ȱ5,ȱ35,ȱ6ȱwhoȱadoptedȱanȱinterpretationȱofȱPhilos,ȱMos.ȱ
2,ȱ97,ȱ9.
13ȱȱ Cf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ177.ȱ
14ȱȱ Cf.ȱe.g.ȱAmbrosius,ȱInȱLuc.ȱ7,ȱ120;ȱinȱotherȱFathersȱtogetherȱwithȱtheȱangelsȱandȱarchȬ
angels,ȱ cf.ȱ e.ȱ g.ȱ theȱ Tedeumȱ inȱ Romanȱ liturgy.ȱ Thereȱ areȱ alsoȱ textsȱ (cf.ȱ Michl,ȱ Engelȱ
179),ȱwhereȱonlyȱtheȱCherubimȱsingȱtheȱTrishagion.ȱ
15ȱȱ Cf.ȱ Johannesȱ Chrysostomus,ȱ Deȱ paenit.ȱ hom.ȱ 9.ȱ –ȱ NB:ȱ theȱ ideaȱ thatȱ theseȱ angelsȱ areȱ
presentȱ duringȱ theȱ serviceȱ influencedȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ theȱ flabellum,ȱ aȱ liturgicalȱ
utensilȱtoȱdriveȱawayȱinsectsȱfromȱtheȱofferings:ȱonȱitsȱcentralȱdiscȱtheȱwingedȱheadsȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 673ȱ

Theȱ Thrones16ȱ haveȱ aȱ godȬlikeȱ quality.ȱ Becauseȱ theyȱ areȱ bearingȱ

God’sȱ imageȱ onȱ them,ȱ theyȱ areȱ perfectȱ bearersȱ ofȱ God,ȱ Seraphimȱ andȱ
Cherubimȱsimultaneously.17ȱ
Theȱnatureȱofȱthisȱuppermostȱhierarchyȱconsistsȱinȱpurity,ȱenlightȬ
enmentȱ andȱ perfection:ȱ Pureȱ theyȱ areȱ becauseȱ theyȱ immaculatelyȱ andȱ
perfectlyȱ takeȱ inȱ theȱ creator’sȱ holiness.ȱ Inȱ perceivingȱ Godȱ theyȱ doȱ notȱ
dependȱ onȱ metaphorsȱ andȱ symbols;ȱ ratherȱ theyȱ areȱ providedȱ withȱ aȱ
lightȱ byȱ whichȱ theyȱ canȱ lookȱ atȱ hisȱ originalȱ beauty.ȱ Theyȱ liveȱ inȱ theȱ
immediateȱvisionȱofȱGodȱandȱcommunicateȱtheirȱinsightsȱtoȱtheȱfollowȬ
ingȱtriadsȱsoȱthatȱGodȱwillȱbeȱglorifiedȱinȱhymnsȱbyȱallȱblissfulȱspirits.ȱ
Againȱtheirȱnamesȱinformȱusȱaboutȱtheȱcharacteristicsȱofȱtheȱsecondȱ
triad’sȱ nature.ȱ Theȱ Dominations18ȱ intimatelyȱ participateȱ inȱ theȱ similarȬ
ityȱ toȱ Godȱ asȱ theȱ originalȱ sourceȱ ofȱanyȱ sovereignty,ȱ andȱ theyȱ enjoyȱ aȱ
wayȱ ofȱ governingȱ thatȱ doesȱ neverȱ degenerateȱ andȱ becomeȱ tyranny.ȱ
Accordingȱ toȱ Dionysiusȱ theyȱ settleȱ theȱ angels’ȱ dutiesȱ andȱ executeȱ diȬ
vineȱ ordersȱ byȱ dominatingȱ otherȱ angelsȱ withoutȱ degradingȱ them,ȱ
though.ȱ
TheȱPrincipalitiesȱ(orȱForces)19ȱareȱdistinguishedȱbyȱunflinchingȱmanliȬ
nessȱ andȱ receptivityȱ ofȱ divineȱ illuminations.20ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ Dionysiusȱ
theirȱ nameȱ indicatesȱ theirȱ intrepidityȱ facingȱ anyȱ enterprise,ȱ aȱ courageȱ
tirelesslyȱ receivingȱ theȱ illuminationsȱ grantedȱ byȱ theȱ divineȱ principleȱ
cause.ȱ
Aȱ wellȬorderedȱ harmonyȱ inȱ receivingȱ theȱ divineȱ isȱ peculiarȱ toȱ theȱ
Powers,21ȱ thereforeȱ theyȱ canȱ easilyȱ leadȱ themselvesȱ andȱ thoseȱ beingsȱ
whoȱareȱtheirȱinferior,ȱtoȱGod.ȱ
Theȱpeculiaritiesȱofȱtheȱthirdȱtriadȱareȱilluminatedȱbyȱtheirȱnamesȱasȱ
well.ȱ Theȱ Virtuesȱ (or:ȱ Firstȱ Beginnings)ȱ 22ȱ areȱ revealedȱ asȱ thoseȱ beingsȱ
whoȱparticipateȱinȱGod’sȱprincipalityȱandȱsimultaneouslyȱleadȱothersȱtoȱ
Godȱbyȱtheirȱ“princelyȱguidance”.ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ofȱCherubimȱwereȱfixed;ȱtheȱbigȱ fansȱmadeȱofȱostrichȬfeathers,ȱ whichȱaccompaniedȱ
theȱ Pope’sȱ liturgicalȱ entranceȱ andȱ exitȱ onȱ theȱ Sedaȱ gestatoria,ȱ wereȱ alsoȱ calledȱ
“Cherubim”:ȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ179;ȱBraun,ȱAltargerätȱ642,ȱ648,ȱ650.ȱ
16ȱȱ GreekȱLJǏ‫ܟ‬njǎLj;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱghäcnjks.ȱ
17ȱȱ GregoryȱofȱNyssa,ȱEun.ȱIȱ(=ȱPGȱ45,ȱ348)ȱobviouslyȱunderstoodȱ“Thrones”ȱasȱaȱtranslaȬ
tionȱ ofȱ theȱ wordȱ “Cherubim“:ȱ ‫ ۯ‬DŽ‫ܖ‬Ǐ ĬǏ‫ܟ‬njǔnj NjnjdžNjǎnjİ‫ܡ‬ıĮǐ, ‫ڶ‬NJNJ‫ۮ ސ‬nj‫ܟ‬NjĮIJLj IJ‫ ܖ‬ƹİǏǎǑǃ‫ܜ‬Nj
įLjdžDŽ‫ܛ‬ıĮIJǎ (thereȱfollowsȱaȱreasonȱforȱthis,ȱespeciallyȱbasedȱonȱPsalms).ȱ
18ȱȱ GreekȱljǑǏLj‫ܟ‬IJdžIJİǐ;ȱLatinȱdominationes;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱujcgjlmcndf.ȱ
19ȱȱ Greek įǑnj‫ܗ‬NjİLjǐ;ȱLatinȱpotestates;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱcbks.
20ȱȱ NB:ȱ “principalities”ȱ notȱ onlyȱ designatesȱ anȱ angelicȱ order,ȱ butȱ sometimesȱ alsoȱ aȱ
groupȱofȱsupernaturalȱbeingsȱbesidesȱtheȱangels;ȱitȱmayȱalsoȱbeȱaȱcollectiveȱtermȱdesȬ
ignatingȱcelestialȱspiritualȱbeingsȱinȱgeneral;ȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ180f.ȱ
21ȱȱ Greekȱ‫ۂ‬ǍǎǑı‫ܝ‬ĮLj;ȱLatinȱvirtutes;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱdkfcnb.ȱ
22ȱȱ Greek ‫ڲ‬ǏǒĮ‫;ܝ‬ȱLatinȱprincipates;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱzfxåkf.ȱ

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674ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

Theȱ choirȱ ofȱ theȱ holyȱ archangels23ȱ takesȱ theȱ middleȱ positionȱ beȬ
tweenȱ theȱ Virtuesȱ andȱ theȱ angels;ȱ becauseȱ onȱ theȱ oneȱ handȱ theyȱ areȱ
orientedȱtowardsȱtheȱprincelyȱsovereignty,ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhandȱtheyȱfulfilȱ
theȱfunctionȱofȱinterpretersȱandȱcommunicateȱGod’sȱdecisionsȱtoȱmen.ȱ
Forȱ Dionysiusȱ theyȱ areȱ theȱ realȱ heraldsȱ andȱ messengersȱ whoȱ transmitȱ
God’sȱcommandsȱtoȱtheȱangelsȱandȱtoȱmen;ȱtheirȱpositionȱasȱ“interpretȬ
ers”ȱenablesȱthemȱtoȱcommunicateȱGod’sȱadviceȱtoȱmen.ȱ
Finally,ȱtheȱangels24ȱbearȱtheirȱnameȱjustlyȱbecauseȱitȱmakesȱobviousȱ
theirȱnatureȱbeingȱ“messengers”;ȱtheyȱareȱclosestȱtoȱusȱhumans.ȱ
Theȱ systemȱ hereȱ developedȱ formsȱ theȱ basisȱ ofȱ theȱ conceptsȱ ofȱ theȱ
choirsȱ ofȱ angels.25ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ thisȱ viewȱ theȱ celestialȱ hierarchyȱ wasȱ
arrangedȱbyȱGodȱhimself;ȱitȱisȱaȱrecurringȱcopyȱofȱGod’sȱtrinitaryȱorigiȬ
nalȱ beauty.ȱ Theȱ supremeȱ orderȱ surroundsȱ theȱ Mostȱ Highȱ inȱ godȬlikeȱ
transfiguration.ȱItȱcommunicatesȱdivineȱlight,ȱunderstandingȱandȱgraceȱ
toȱtheȱlowerȱgroups.ȱEcclesiasticalȱhierarchyȱisȱanȱimageȱofȱtheȱcelestialȱ
one.ȱ Throughȱ Christȱ bothȱ areȱ integratedȱ withinȱ God’sȱ trinitaryȱ abunȬ
danceȱofȱlife.ȱEcclesiasticalȱgradesȱofȱordinationȱcorrespondȱtoȱtheȱcelesȬ
tialȱorders.ȱ
Hymnsȱ whichȱ mentionȱ theȱ supernaturalȱ ordersȱ showȱ thatȱ theȱ apȬ
preciationȱ ofȱ theȱ Thrones,ȱ whoseȱ functionsȱ areȱ notȱ clearlyȱ differentȱ
fromȱthoseȱofȱtheȱCherubimȱandȱSeraphim,ȱisȱsecondaryȱasȱcomparedȱtoȱ
theirȱ position.ȱ Angelsȱ andȱ archangels,ȱ however,ȱ considerablyȱ surpassȱ
theȱmiddleȱtriadȱthoughȱnotȱalwaysȱwhenȱenumeratingȱtheȱorders,ȱyetȱ
withȱ regardȱ toȱ highȱ esteem.ȱ Itȱ isȱ mainlyȱ theȱ Cherubimȱ andȱ Seraphim,ȱ
theȱangelsȱandȱarchangelsȱwhoȱareȱmentionedȱinȱliturgyȱ–ȱandȱthisȱquiteȱ
justlyȱso;ȱforȱtheirȱdutiesȱandȱranksȱofȱhonourȱareȱmostȱclearlyȱtestifiedȱ
inȱHolyȱScripture.ȱ
Theȱ Hermeneia,ȱ theȱ handbookȱ ofȱ paintingȱ byȱ theȱ paintingȱ monkȱ
Dionysiosȱ fromȱ Mountȱ Athos,26ȱ offersȱ instructionȱ forȱ decoratingȱ churȬ
chesȱdatingȱbackȱtoȱearliestȱtimes;ȱforȱdesigningȱtheȱcelestialȱhierarchyȱ
thereȱareȱtheȱfollowingȱguidelines.27ȱTheȱThronesȱareȱtoȱbeȱrepresentedȱ
asȱaȱfieryȱwheelȱconsistingȱofȱfourȱcirclingȱwings.ȱTheȱCherubimȱwillȱbeȱ
cladȱinȱaȱrobe,ȱmantle,ȱandȱtunic;ȱtheyȱhaveȱtwoȱwings.ȱTheȱSeraphimȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
23ȱȱ Greekȱ‫ڲ‬Ǐǒ‫ܗ‬DŽDŽİNJǎLj;ȱLatinȱarchangeli;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱfhüfzutks.ȱ
24ȱȱ Greekȱ‫ڶ‬DŽDŽİNJǎLj;ȱLatinȱangeli;ȱOldȱSlavonicȱfzutks.ȱ
25ȱȱ Theȱnineȱchoirsȱofȱheavenlyȱspiritsȱareȱoftenȱmentionedȱinȱliturgicalȱtexts;ȱoftenȱtheȱ
sequenceȱwithinȱenumerationsȱdiffersȱfromȱtheȱsystemȱestablishedȱbyȱPsȬDionysius.ȱ
–ȱItȱshouldȱbeȱmentionedȱthatȱthereȱareȱalsoȱfurtherȱchoirsȱofȱangels,ȱwhichȱhaveȱnotȱ
beenȱ includedȱ inȱ theȱ numberȱ ofȱ theȱ nineȱ choirs,ȱ e.ȱ g.ȱ theȱ “spirits”ȱ (Ⱥnjİ‫ܡ‬NjĮIJĮ),ȱ theȱ
“Aeons”ȱ(Į۞‫ޒ‬njİǐ),ȱtheȱ“armies”ȱ(ıIJǏĮIJLjĮ‫)ܝ‬,ȱtheȱ“brightȱbeings”ȱ(NJĮNjȺǏ‫ܟ‬IJdžIJİǐ),ȱtheȱ“rises”ȱ
(‫ڲ‬njĮǃ‫ܗ‬ıİLjǐ),ȱtheȱ“glories”ȱ(gloriae)ȱetc.:ȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ174f.ȱȱ
26ȱȱ ‫ۉ‬ƵưƬƱƪƭƧ ƷƬƶ ƫƻīƵƧĭƭƮƬƶ.ȱMalerhandbuch.ȱ
27ȱȱ Cf.ȱMalerhandbuchȱ45,ȱno.ȱ73.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 675ȱ

appearȱasȱangels,ȱredȱlikeȱfire,ȱwithȱthreeȱpairsȱofȱfieryȱwings,ȱaȱflamingȱ
swordȱ inȱ theirȱ rightȱ hand;ȱ wingsȱ serveȱ asȱ theirȱ garment,ȱ theirȱ feetȱ reȬ
mainȱ bare.ȱ Theȱ Dominationsȱ areȱ characterizedȱ byȱ gownȱ andȱ mantleȱ
withoutȱ decorations,ȱ oneȱ pairȱ ofȱ wings,ȱ aȱ crosierȱ inȱ theirȱ rightȱ andȱ aȱ
ballȱbearingȱtheȱinscriptionȱ“JesusȱChrist”ȱinȱtheirȱleftȱhand.ȱTheȱPrinciȬ
palitiesȱwearȱgownsȱandȱmantlesȱlikeȱtheȱDominations,ȱhaveȱoneȱpairȱofȱ
wings,ȱ butȱ bareȱfeet.ȱ TheȱPowersȱappearȱ inȱrobes,ȱmantles,ȱ andȱtunicsȱ
reachingȱdownȱtoȱtheirȱkneesȱandȱshowingȱrichlyȱornamentedȱhems;ȱforȱ
theȱ restȱ theyȱ willȱ beȱ presentedȱ likeȱ theȱ Dominations.ȱ Moreȱ preciousȱ
garmentsȱthanȱthoseȱofȱtheȱPowersȱadornȱtheȱVirtues;ȱtheyȱareȱprovidedȱ
withȱ shoes,ȱ andȱ insteadȱ ifȱ theȱ crosierȱ theyȱ carryȱ aȱ lily.ȱ Theȱ archangelsȱ
appearȱ asȱ warriorsȱ withȱ armourȱ andȱ boots,ȱ thoughȱ withoutȱ helmets,ȱ
andȱwithȱoneȱpairȱofȱwings;ȱinȱtheirȱleftȱtheyȱareȱholdingȱaȱballȱbearingȱ
Christ’sȱ monogram,ȱ inȱ theirȱ rightȱ aȱ swordȱ pointingȱ upwards.ȱ Theȱ anȬ
gelsȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱdeaconsȱcladȱinȱalb,ȱtunic,ȱandȱmaniple,ȱtheirȱfeetȱ
richlyȱornamented;ȱtheyȱbearȱtheȱcrosierȱonȱtheȱrightȱandȱtheȱChristȬballȱ
onȱtheȱleft.28ȱ
Justȱ aȱ furtherȱ remarkȱ onȱ colours:ȱ Theȱ angelsȱ inȱ theȱ mosaicsȱ inȱ S.ȱ
Mariaȱ Maggioreȱ (firstȱhalfȱofȱ5thȱcentury)ȱhaveȱaȱredȱincarnate29ȱwhichȱ
indicatesȱtheirȱetherealȱbodyȱaccordingȱtoȱmanyȱFathersȱofȱtheȱChurch;ȱ
theȱbrightȱlightȬcolouredȱwhiteȱofȱtheirȱgarmentȱmayȱbeȱinterpretedȱasȱaȱ
symbolȱofȱtheirȱpurity.ȱTheȱangelsȱofȱgraceȱandȱtheȱangelȱofȱdamnationȱ
inȱ S.ȱ Apollinareȱ Nuovoȱ (firstȱ halfȱ ofȱ 6thȱ century)ȱ areȱ entirelyȱ redȱ viz.ȱ
blue:ȱaccordingȱtoȱAugustine30ȱandȱFulgentiusȱofȱRuspe,31ȱdemonsȱandȱ
evilȱangelsȱhaveȱbodiesȱconsistingȱofȱairȱ–ȱsoȱtheȱblueȱcolourȱhereȱpointsȱ
toȱ theȱ sphereȱ ofȱ theȱ airȱ andȱ sinȱ asȱ opposedȱ toȱ theȱ redȱ regionȱ ofȱ theȱ
sinlessȱempyreanȱaboveȱit.32ȱNevertheless,ȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱthereȱareȱ
alsoȱblueȱSeraphimȱandȱredȱCherubim,33ȱbutȱforȱtheȱmostȱpart,ȱtheȱSeraȬ
phimȱareȱpaintedȱredȱinȱorderȱtoȱindicateȱtheirȱburningȱnature.ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
28ȱȱ KnowledgeȱaboutȱtheȱdifferentȱordersȱofȱtheȱangelsȱisȱnotȱthatȱimportantȱforȱChrisȬ
tianȱdoctrine;ȱthisȱisȱalsoȱtoȱbeȱseenȱinȱtheȱdescriptionsȱinȱtheȱpaintersȇȱmanualȱasȱtheyȱ
doȱ notȱ giveȱ specificȱ characteristicsȱ ofȱ theȱ incorporealȱ powersȱ Ȭȱ onlyȱ exceptingȱ theȱ
SeraphimȱandȱtheȱThrones.ȱToȱwhichȱofȱtheȱchoirsȱtheȱrepresentedȱbeingȱbelongsȱofȬ
tenȱonlyȱtheȱcaptionsȱmakeȱclear.ȱȱ
29ȱȱ Incarnateȱisȱaȱtermȱfromȱpainting;ȱitȱdesignatesȱtheȱtintȱofȱcolourȱusedȱforȱpresentingȱ
nakedȱpartsȱofȱtheȱhumanȱbody.ȱȱ
30ȱȱ Cf.ȱAugustinus,ȱciv.ȱ8,ȱ15.ȱ
31ȱȱ Cf.ȱFulgentius,ȱTrin.ȱ9.ȱ
32ȱȱ Empyreumȱisȱ theȱ nameȱofȱtheȱoutwardȱsphereȱinȱtheȱPtolemaicȱsystemȱofȱ theȱworldȱ
(Greekȱ ‫ۆ‬NjȺǑǏǎǐȱ=ȱbeingȱinȱfire),ȱtheȱsphereȱbeyondȱtheȱfixedȱstarsȱalsoȱcalledȱheavenȱofȱ
fire.ȱ
33ȱȱ Cf.ȱKirschbaum,ȱL’angeloȱ204–248;ȱquotedȱaccordingȱtoȱKirschbaum,ȱEngelȱ633.ȱ

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676ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

1.2.ȱCelestialȱLiturgistsȱȱ

Toȱdescribeȱaȱcreatureȱoneȱmustȱalsoȱdiscussȱtheȱquestionȱofȱitsȱaimȱandȱ
purpose.ȱ Inȱ itsȱ hymnsȱ andȱ prayersȱ Byzantineȱ liturgyȱ talksȱ aboutȱ theȱ
angels’ȱactivities,ȱworks,ȱcommissions,ȱandȱfunctionsȱinȱsuchȱaȱwayȱthatȱ
behindȱ allȱ theirȱ doingsȱ theȱ finalȱ purposeȱ ofȱ theirȱ existenceȱ becomesȱ
evident:ȱTheȱinnermostȱcauseȱofȱtheirȱexistenceȱisȱGod’sȱwill,ȱwhoȱhasȱ
createdȱthemȱforȱhisȱownȱpraiseȱandȱglory;ȱinȱadorationȱtheyȱstandȱbeȬ
foreȱ Hisȱ majesty,ȱ thisȱ isȱ theirȱ veryȱ nature!ȱ Everyȱ otherȱ functionȱ theyȱ
fulfilȱinȱmankind’sȱinterestȱproceedsȱfromȱthis:ȱeachȱcreatureȱisȱtoȱbeȱledȱ
toȱ participateȱ inȱ theȱ creator’sȱ lifeȱ andȱ theȱ proclamationȱ ofȱ hisȱ glory.ȱ
Afterȱ allȱ theȱ angelsȱ areȱ “spiritsȱ inȱ theȱ divineȱ serviceȱ (NJİLjIJǎǑǏDŽLjlj‫ܖ‬
Ⱥnjİ‫ܡ‬NjĮIJĮ),ȱsentȱtoȱserveȱ(įLjĮljǎnj‫ܝ‬Į)ȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱthoseȱwhoȱareȱtoȱinheritȱ
salvation”ȱ(Hebrȱ1:14);ȱandȱsalvationȱmeansȱthatȱmanȱisȱintegratedȱintoȱ
theȱlifeȱofȱhisȱorigin,ȱthatȱheȱisȱincludedȱinȱtheȱblissȱofȱthoseȱstandingȱbyȱ
God’sȱthrone.ȱ
Liturgyȱ inȱ aȱ culticȱ senseȱ meansȱ aȱ publicȱ activityȱ sustainedȱ byȱ theȱ
communityȱforȱGod’sȱglory.ȱBeingȱcelestialȱliturgistsȱthusȱisȱtheȱangels’ȱ
mostȱ particularȱ vocation.ȱ Allȱ ideasȱ concerningȱ thisȱ servingȱ byȱ theȱ diȬ
vineȱthroneȱareȱbasedȱonȱtheȱvisionsȱinȱtheȱBibleȱandȱonȱtheȱexperienceȱ
ofȱtheȱmagnificentȱByzantineȱcourtȱceremonial.ȱAsȱtheȱemperorȱinȱConȬ
stantinopleȱ wasȱ understoodȱ asȱ anȱ imageȱ ofȱ Christ,ȱ theȱ ceremonialȱ atȱ
courtȱ wasȱ seenȱ asȱ aȱ metaphoricalȱ representationȱ ofȱ celestialȱ celebraȬ
tions;ȱ theȱ angelsȱ areȱ –ȱ fromȱ aȱ humanȱ pointȱ ofȱ viewȱ –ȱ God’sȱ courtlyȱ
household.ȱ Ecclesiasticalȱ liturgyȱ asȱ wellȱ isȱ anȱ imageȱ (İ۞lj‫ܣ‬njȱ –ȱ icon)ȱ ofȱ
celestialȱliturgy,ȱindeedȱevenȱmoreȱthanȱanȱimage:ȱsinceȱChristȱhimselfȱ
isȱ presentȱ andȱ operativeȱ inȱ it,ȱ hisȱ spiritualȱ liturgistsȱ areȱ present,ȱ too.ȱ
Theȱ incomprehensibleȱ serviceȱ ofȱ theȱ divineȱ hostsȱ ofȱ heavenȱ isȱ experiȬ
enceablyȱexpressedȱinȱtheȱsymbolicȱactionsȱofȱtheȱstateȱceremonialȱandȱ
ecclesiasticalȱcelebrations:ȱȱ
Theȱangels’ȱpowersȱserveȱyou,ȱtheȱangels’ȱchoirsȱadoreȱyou;ȱtheȱmultiȬeyedȱCheruȬ
bimȱandȱtheȱsixȬwingedȱSeraphimȱstandȱinȱaȱcircleȱandȱflyȱabout;ȱforȱaweȱofȱyourȱ
inaccessibleȱ gloryȱ theyȱ coverȱ themselves.ȱ Forȱ youȱ areȱ theȱ undescribable,ȱ uninitialȱ
andȱ ineffableȱ God.34ȱ –ȱ Theyȱ haveȱ Heavenȱ forȱ theirȱ dwellingȬplace,ȱ andȱ haveȱ oneȱ
duty,ȱtoȱsingȱGodȇsȱpraiseȱandȱcarryȱoutȱHisȱdivineȱwill.35ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
34ȱȱ Prayerȱfromȱtheȱconsecrationȱofȱtheȱbaptismalȱwater:ȱEuchologionȱ108.ȱ
35ȱȱ JohnȱtheȱDamascene,ȱfid.ȱorth.ȱ2,ȱ3;ȱPGȱ872ȱC.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 677ȱ

2.ȱTheȱAngelsȱinȱTerrestrialȱLiturgyȱ

Theȱideaȱthatȱterrestrialȱliturgyȱisȱanȱimageȱofȱtheȱcelestialȱoneȱwhichȱisȱ
performedȱwithȱtheȱangels’ȱassistance,ȱwasȱtakenȱoverȱfromȱearlyȱJudaȬ
ismȱ byȱ theȱ earlyȱ church.ȱ Itȱ wasȱ furtherȱ developedȱ inȱ Byzantineȱ timesȱ
andȱ isȱ reflectedȱ especiallyȱ clearlyȱ inȱ theȱ Sanctusȱ andȱ inȱ aȱ specificallyȱ
ByzantineȱwayȱinȱtheȱHymnȱofȱtheȱCherubim.ȱButȱalsoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱByzȬ
antineȬSlavonicȱ sacredȱ musicȱ wasȱ composedȱ forȱ oneȱ voiceȱ onlyȱ andȱ
excludedȱanyȱaccompanimentȱbyȱmusicalȱinstrumentsȱprovesȱtheȱinfluȬ
enceȱofȱPseudoȬDionysius’ȱculticȱaestheticism.ȱ
Theȱ ecclesiasticalȱ liturgicalȱ ceremonyȱ establishesȱ aȱ bridgeȱ towardsȱ
heaven,ȱindeed,ȱmysteriouslyȱitȱisȱalreadyȱheavenȱonȱearth.ȱTheȱdivine,ȱ
everlastingȱ extendsȱ intoȱ earthlyȱ existence.ȱ Thisȱ isȱ theȱ occasionȱ ofȱ enȬ
counteringȱGod,ȱthereforeȱitȱisȱalsoȱtheȱoccasionȱtoȱpraiseȱHimȱproperly.ȱ
ParticularlyȱcelebratingȱtheȱHolyȱEucharistȱreflectsȱtheȱcelestialȱliturgy.ȱ
ByȱperformingȱthisȱtheȱcongregationȱencountersȱtheȱlivingȱChristȱwho,ȱ
inȱtheȱmidstȱofȱtheȱheavenlyȱhosts,ȱtheȱsaintsȱandȱangelsȱentersȱitsȱcenȬ
tre.36ȱ Surroundedȱ byȱ Cherubimȱ andȱ Seraphimȱ Kyriosȱ Christosȱ apȬ
proachesȱtheȱsacrificialȱaltarȱconcealed,ȱbutȱoperativeȱandȱpowerful.ȱInȱ
Orthodoxȱ religiousȱ practiceȱ theȱ liturgyȱ ofȱ theȱ Holyȱ Massȱ isȱ aȱ sacredȱ
dramaȱ –ȱ notȱ aȱ metaphoricalȱ stageȱ play,ȱ butȱ aȱ religiousȱ eventȱ joiningȱ
togetherȱ heavenȱ andȱ earth.ȱ Throughȱ theirȱ faithȱ theȱ congregationȱ exȬ
periencesȱ theȱ entranceȱ ofȱ theȱ choirsȱ ofȱ angels,ȱ whoȱ joinȱ theȱ faithfulȱ inȱ
orderȱ toȱ proclaimȱ withȱ themȱ God’sȱ marvellousȱ doings.ȱ Mysteriouslyȱ
theyȱparticipateȱinȱtheȱHolyȱMass;ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhandȱthroughȱtheȱhoursȱ
theȱ churchȱ participatesȱ inȱ theȱ angels’ȱ everlastingȱ adoration,ȱ inȱ theirȱ
rejoicingȱandȱpraisingȱinȱheaven.ȱSymbolicȱactionsȱinterpretȱthisȱmysteȬ
riousȱcharacterȱofȱliturgy.ȱ
InȱtheȱfollowingȱweȱwillȱpresentȱtheȱLiturgyȱofȱChrysostomosȱinsofarȱ
asȱ itȱ testifiesȱ theȱ angels’ȱ participation.ȱ Preparingȱ theȱ liturgyȱ theȱ priestȱ
cutsȱ aȱ fewȱ tinyȱ piecesȱ fromȱ theȱ sacrificialȱ breadȱ andȱ arrangesȱ themȱ
aroundȱ theȱ bitȱ (“theȱ lamb”)ȱ representingȱ Christȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ depictȱ theȱ
unityȱofȱallȱfaithfulȱ–ȱtheȱliving,ȱtheȱdeceased,ȱtheȱsaintsȱandȱtheȱangels.ȱ
Atȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱheȱcommemoratesȱallȱwhoȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱcommunityȱ
ofȱsaints;ȱthusȱheȱexpressesȱtheirȱrightȱtoȱparticipateȱinȱtheȱEucharist.ȱHeȱ
commemoratesȱtheȱangelsȱwithȱtheȱfollowingȱwords:ȱȱ
Inȱhonourȱandȱremembranceȱofȱtheȱgreatestȱofȱallȱprincesȱofȱtheȱhost,ȱMichaelȱandȱ
Gabrielȱandȱallȱheavenlyȱpowersȱofȱtheȱbodiless.37ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
36ȱȱ ForȱpassagesȱfromȱtheȱFathersȱcf.ȱe.ȱg.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ162.ȱ
37ȱȱ Hieratikonȱ60.ȱ

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678ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

Duringȱ theȱ soȬcalledȱ “minorȱ entrance”,ȱ i.e.ȱ beforeȱ theȱ readingȱ ofȱ theȱ
Gospel,ȱ priest,ȱ deaconȱ andȱ theȱ personȱ carryingȱ theȱ candleȱ walkȱ fromȱ
theȱ altarȱ toȱ theȱ areaȱ ofȱ theȱ congregationȱ bringingȱ theȱ bookȱ containingȱ
theȱGospelsȱwithȱthem.ȱMeanwhileȱtheȱpriestȱsoftlyȱprays:ȱȱ
OȱLord,ȱourȱMasterȱandȱGod,ȱWhoȱinȱheavenȱestablishedȱordersȱandȱarmiesȱofȱanȬ
gelsȱandȱarchangelsȱforȱtheȱserviceȱofȱYourȱglory,ȱmakeȱthisȱourȱentranceȱtoȱbeȱanȱ
entranceȱ ofȱ holyȱ angels,ȱ servingȱ togetherȱ withȱ us,ȱ andȱ withȱ usȱ glorifyingȱ Yourȱ
goodness.ȱForȱtoȱYouȱisȱdueȱallȱglory,ȱhonourȱandȱworship,ȱFather,ȱSon,ȱandȱHolyȱ
Spirit,ȱnowȱandȱever,ȱandȱforever.ȱAmen.38ȱ
Afterȱ theȱ solemnȱ entranceȱ withȱ theȱ GospelȬbookȱ whichȱ isȱ inȱ factȱ anȱ
imageȱ ofȱ Christ,ȱ theȱ choirȱ strikesȱ upȱ theȱ Trishagion;ȱ itȱ isȱ thatȱ ancientȱ
ChristianȱlitanyȱwhichȱupȱtoȱtheȱpresentȱRomanȱliturgyȱstillȱhasȱsungȱinȱ
Greekȱ inȱ theȱ Improperiaȱ onȱ Goodȱ Fridayȱ duringȱ theȱ adorationȱ ofȱ theȱ
cross:39ȱ “Holyȱ God,ȱ holyȱ mighty,ȱ holyȱ immortal,ȱ haveȱ mercyȱ onȱ us!”ȱ
Theȱpriestȱintroducesȱhisȱwithȱtheȱfollowingȱprayer:ȱȱ
Holyȱyouȱare,ȱGod,ȱwhomȱtheȱquadricȬshapedȱbeingsȱglorifyȱinȱanȱincessantȱvoice.ȱ
Holyȱ youȱ are,ȱ God,ȱ you,ȱ whoȱ areȱ adoredȱ andȱ glorifiedȱ byȱ theȱ hostsȱ ofȱ angelsȱ andȱ
archangelsȱinvisiblyȱandȱwithȱtrembling.ȱHolyȱyouȱare,ȱGod,ȱyouȱwhoȱlookȱonȱtheȱ
multiȬeyedȱCherubimȱbelowȱyouȱandȱlendȱyourȱearsȱtoȱtheȱneverȱsilentȱvoiceȱbeforeȱ
yourȱ ineffableȱ throne.ȱ Holyȱ youȱ are,ȱ God,ȱ you,ȱ whoȱ areȱ enthronedȱ uponȱ theȱ sixȬ
wingedȱSeraphimȱandȱreceiveȱhowȱtheyȱareȱrustlingȱwithȱtheirȱwingsȱandȱsingingȱ
theȱTrishagion:ȱHoly,ȱholy,ȱholyȱisȱtheȱLordȱSabaot!ȱHolyȱyouȱare,ȱourȱGod,ȱwhomȱ
theȱDominations,ȱPrincipalitiesȱandȱPowersȱadoreȱandȱworship.ȱLoverȱofȱmen,ȱacȬ
ceptȱalsoȱtheȱTrishagionȱsungȱbyȱusȱsinners;ȱitȱisȱofferedȱtoȱyouȱbyȱusȱandȱbyȱallȱ
yourȱpeople;ȱandȱsendȱdownȱuponȱusȱyourȱaboundingȱmercyȱandȱpity.40ȱ
Withȱtheȱ“majorȱentrance”ȱtheȱ“liturgyȱofȱtheȱfaithful”ȱbegins;ȱinȱaȱ
processionȱ priestȱandȱdeaconȱ carryȱ theȱofferingsȱ ofȱ breadȱ andȱ wineȱ toȱ
theȱaltarȱwhereȱtheyȱshallȱbecomeȱChrist’sȱbodyȱandȱblood.ȱSoȱtheyȱareȱ
nowȱ alreadyȱ anȱ imaginalȱ manifestationȱ ofȱ him,ȱ pointȱ toȱ hisȱ imminentȱ
epiphany;ȱthereforeȱalsoȱtheȱCherubimȱ–ȱvisiblyȱrepresentedȱbyȱpriest,ȱ
deaconȱ andȱ congregationȱ –ȱ andȱ theȱ entireȱ householdȱ ofȱ theȱ heavenlyȱ
courtȱ areȱ assembledȱ toȱ serveȱ theȱ king.ȱ Christȱ isȱ transportedȱ intoȱ theȱ
circleȱ ofȱ theȱ faithfulȱ byȱ theȱ hostsȱ ofȱ angels.ȱ Asȱ Romanȱ soldiersȱ placedȱ
theȱ newlyȬelectedȱ emperorȱ onȱ aȱ shieldȱ andȱ carriedȱ himȱ throughȱ theirȱ
files,ȱ thusȱ proclaimingȱ hisȱ claimȱ toȱ power,ȱ soȱ theȱ Kingȱ ofȱ Kingsȱ isȱ
transportedȱonȱtheȱdiskos,ȱtheȱpaten,ȱasȱonȱaȱshield,ȱbyȱtheȱinvisibleȱleȬ
gionsȱofȱangelsȱtoȱtheȱaltar,ȱhisȱthrone,ȱsoȱthatȱheȱrepresentsȱhisȱsacrificeȱ
asȱlordȱofȱheavenȱandȱearth.ȱDuringȱthisȱmagnificentȱprocessionȱwhenȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
38ȱȱ Hieratikonȱ70.ȱ
39ȱȱ ‫ڷ‬DŽLjǎǐ ‫ ۯ‬LJİ‫ܟ‬ǐ, ‫ڷ‬DŽLjǎǐ ۞ıǒǑǏ‫ܟ‬ǐ, ‫ڷ‬DŽLjǎǐ ‫ڲ‬LJ‫ܗ‬njĮIJǎǐ ‫ۂ‬NJ‫ܙ‬džıǎnj ‫ۏ‬Nj‫ݙ‬ǐ.
40ȱȱ Heitz,ȱGottesdienstȱ225.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 679ȱ

theȱ congregationȱ imitatesȱ theȱ angels,ȱ theȱ singersȱ beginȱ toȱ singȱ theȱ afȬ
fectingȱCherubikon,ȱtheȱhymnȱofȱtheȱCherubim:ȱȱ
Weȱ whoȱ mysticallyȱ representȱ theȱ Cherubimȱ singȱ theȱ thriceȱ holyȱ hymnȱ toȱ theȱ lifeȱ
givingȱTrinity.ȱLetȱusȱsetȱasideȱallȱtheȱcaresȱofȱlifeȱthatȱweȱmayȱreceiveȱtheȱKingȱofȱ
allȱinvisiblyȱescortedȱbyȱtheȱangelicȱhosts.ȱAlleluia.ȱAlleluia.ȱAlleluia.41ȱ
Theȱangels’ȱpresenceȱinȱtheȱEucharisticȱliturgy42ȱhasȱdoubleȱsense:ȱTheyȱ
areȱtheȱcosmosȱandȱeverlastingȱking’sȱguardsȱofȱhonourȱdeliveringȱtheȱ
faithfuls’ȱ prayerȱ toȱ Him,ȱ andȱ theyȱ encourageȱ theȱ congregationȱ toȱ gloȬ
rifyȱtheȱuniversalȱrulerȱinȱaȱrespectfulȱway:ȱȱ
ConsiderȱwithȱwhomȱyouȱareȱtogetherȱandȱwithȱwhomȱyouȱareȱaboutȱtoȱinvokeȱGodȱ
withȱtheȱCherubim.ȱImagineȱwhichȱchoirsȱyouȱareȱgoingȱtoȱjoinȱandȱitȱwillȱhelpȱyouȱ
toȱcalmnessȱwhenȱyouȱbearȱinȱmindȱthatȱyou,ȱthoughȱfleshȱandȱblood,ȱwereȱdeemedȱ
worthyȱtoȱcelebrateȱtheȱmutualȱlordȱofȱallȱbeingsȱtogetherȱwithȱtheȱbodilessȱpowers.ȱ
Noȱ oneȱ oughtȱ toȱ chimeȱ inȱ theseȱ sacredȱ andȱ mysteriousȱ songsȱ carelessly.ȱ Noȱ oneȱ
oughtȱtoȱadhereȱtoȱearthlyȱthoughts,ȱbutȱdetachedȱfromȱallȱearthlyȱthingsȱandȱenȬ
tirelyȱtransferredȱintoȱheavenȱasȱifȱheȱhimselfȱstoodȱnextȱtoȱtheȱthroneȱofȱgloryȱandȱ
hoveredȱwithȱtheȱSeraphim,ȱheȱshallȱsingȱtheȱmostȱholyȱpraiseȱtoȱtheȱGodȱofȱgloryȱ
andȱsublimity.43ȱ
TheȱfaithfulȱwhoȱmayȱenjoyȱtheȱcommunityȱwithȱChristȱthroughȱreceivȬ
ingȱ theȱ sacraments,ȱ isȱ evenȱ superiorȱ toȱ theȱ angels;ȱ heȱ belongsȱ toȱ thatȱ
bodyȱbeforeȱwhoseȱheadȱallȱangelsȱbow:ȱȱ
LetȱusȱreverenceȱourȱHead,ȱletȱusȱreflectȱofȱwhatȱaȱHeadȱweȱareȱtheȱbody,—aȱHead,ȱ
toȱ whomȱ allȱ thingsȱ areȱ putȱ inȱ subjection.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ thisȱ representationȱ weȱ
oughtȱtoȱbeȱbetter,ȱyea,ȱthanȱtheȱveryȱangels,ȱandȱgreaterȱthanȱtheȱArchangels,ȱinȱ
thatȱweȱhaveȱbeenȱhonouredȱaboveȱthemȱall.ȱGodȱȈtookȱnotȱholdȱofȱAngels,Ȉȱasȱheȱ
saysȱinȱwritingȱtoȱtheȱHebrews,ȱȈbutȱHeȱtookȱholdȱofȱtheȱseedȱofȱAbrahamȈȱ(Hebȱ2:ȱ
16).ȱHeȱtookȱholdȱofȱneitherȱprincipalityȱnorȱpower,ȱnorȱdominion,ȱnorȱanyȱotherȱ
authority,ȱbutȱHeȱtookȱupȱourȱnature,ȱandȱmadeȱitȱtoȱsitȱonȱHisȱrightȱhand.44ȱ
Inȱtheȱfestivalȱliturgiesȱangelsȱviz.ȱarchangelsȱappearȱasȱproclaimersȱofȱ
God’sȱgloryȱonȱtheȱoccasionȱofȱChrist’sȱbirth,ȱtheȱAnnunciation,ȱChrist’sȱ
resurrectionȱ andȱ ascension.ȱ Theȱ angelsȱ functionȱ asȱ “assistants”ȱ onȱ
Epiphany,ȱatȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱChrist’sȱbaptism.ȱInȱallȱtheseȱpositionsȱtheyȱ
areȱ oftenȱ representedȱ inȱ anȱ acclaimingȱ gesture.ȱ Asȱ God’sȱ agentsȱ theyȱ
takeȱtheȱApostlesȱtoȱtheȱdeceasingȱmotherȱofȱChristȱandȱguideȱherȱcorȬ
poreallyȱ intoȱ heaven.ȱ Onȱ Novemberȱ 8ȱ theȱ archangelȱ Michaelȱ isȱ celeȬ
bratedȱ inȱ aȱ festivityȱ ofȱ hisȱ own,ȱ whereasȱ Gabriel’sȱ dayȱ isȱ Marchȱ 26.ȱ
Raphaelȱ isȱ mentionedȱ onȱ Septemberȱ 8ȱ andȱ Novemberȱ 8.ȱ Inȱ Kolossaiȱ
(laterȱChonae),45ȱoneȱofȱtheȱmostȱancientȱculticȱplacesȱinȱAsiaȱMinorȱforȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
41ȱȱ Euchologionȱ49.ȱ
42ȱȱ ForȱpassagesȱfromȱtheȱFathersȱcf.ȱe.ȱg.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ161–163.ȱ
43ȱȱ JohannesȱChrysostomos,ȱDeȱincomprehesibiliȱDeiȱnaturaȱhom.,ȱ4,ȱ5.ȱ
44ȱȱ JohannesȱChrysostomos,ȱhom.ȱ3ȱinȱEphȱ1,15–23.ȱ
45ȱȱ Cf.ȱKolȱ2:18.ȱȱ

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680ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

theȱ worshipȱ ofȱ angelicȱ powers,46ȱ evenȱ earlierȱ thanȱ theȱ 7thȱ centuryȱ aȱ
churchȱ wasȱ builtȱ inȱ honourȱ ofȱ theȱ archangelȱ Michael.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ aȱ
legendȱ Michaelȱ miraculouslyȱ defeatedȱ theȱ resistanceȱ thatȱ hadȱ risenȱ
againstȱtheȱbuildingȱofȱtheȱchurch.ȱWhereasȱaȱpetitionaryȱprayerȱcanonȱ
addressedȱ toȱ theȱ guardianȱ angel47ȱ wasȱ introducedȱ inȱ theȱ 11thȱ century,ȱ
theȱ choosingȱ ofȱ patronȱ angelsȱ reachedȱ itsȱ climaxȱ inȱ theȱ 11thȱ andȱ 12thȱ
centuries.ȱ

3.ȱTypesȱofȱPresentationȱ

ArtistsȱinȱtheȱearlyȱchurchȱfirstȱpresentedȱangelsȱasȱwinglessȱandȱbeardȬ
lessȱyoungȱmen;ȱwingedȱangelsȱbecameȱcommonȱlater;ȱtheyȱwereȱmodȬ
elledȱonȱtheȱantiqueȱnikeȱandȱgenius.ȱInȱByzantineȱartȱtheȱstiffȱbeautyȱofȱ
theȱangelȱasȱaȱstereotypeȱbecameȱpredominantȱandȱwasȱpreserved.ȱBeȬ
causeȱofȱitsȱsignificanceȱinȱliturgyȱandȱiconographyȱtheȱpresentationȱofȱ
theȱCherubimȱ(cf.ȱEzekȱ1:4Ȭ25;ȱRevȱ4:6Ȭ11)ȱviz.ȱtheȱtetramorphȱandȱtheȱ
Seraphimȱ(Isaȱ6)ȱinȱtheȱcupolaȱisȱimportant.ȱTheȱclothingȱofȱtheȱangels,ȱ
especiallyȱtheȱarchangelsȱMichaelȱandȱGabriel,ȱwasȱdeterminedȱaccordȬ
ingȱ toȱ theirȱ respectiveȱ function:ȱ asȱ “archȬstrategist”ȱ inȱ armour,ȱ asȱ
Christ’sȱ ambassadorȱ withȱ theȱ staff,ȱ takenȱ asȱ highȬrankedȱ (correspondȬ
ingȱ toȱ theȱ imperial)ȱ celestialȱ “official”ȱ withȱ theȱ kosmos,ȱ theȱ sphaira,ȱ inȱ
theȱleftȱandȱtheȱ(originallyȱsenatorial)ȱpurpleȱborderȱ(clavi)ȱhisȱgarment,ȱ
asȱ liturgicalȱ assistantȱ inȱ theȱ garmentȱ ofȱ theȱ deacon.ȱ Michaelȱ isȱ oftenȱ
presentedȱasȱaȱcelestialȱdoorȬkeeperȱnextȱtoȱtheȱentranceȱofȱtheȱchurch,ȱ
apartȱfromȱfestiveȱimagesȱsingleȱangelsȱandȱordersȱofȱangelsȱappearȱinȱ
illustrationsȱ ofȱ theȱ Lastȱ Judgement,ȱ includingȱ theȱ fallȱ ofȱ angelsȱ (Genȱ
6:1Ȭ4;ȱ2Petȱ2:4;ȱJudeȱ 6;ȱ Revȱ 12:9).ȱ–ȱ Theȱ compositionȱ ofȱ theȱ archangels’ȱ
synaxisȱ accordingȱ toȱ theȱ hymnsȱ ofȱ Novemberȱ 8ȱ showsȱ Michaelȱ andȱ
Gabrielȱwithȱstaffsȱinȱtheirȱhandsȱandȱholdingȱaȱmedallionȱ(theȱclipeus)ȱ
withȱ theȱ Immanuelȱ inȱ frontȱ ofȱ them.ȱ Itȱ originatedȱ inȱ theȱ 9 thȱ centuryȱ
probablyȱexpressingȱtheȱdefeatȱofȱtheȱiconoclasts.ȱCorrespondingȱpresȬ
entationsȱamongȱtheȱpicturesȱofȱChrist48ȱareȱtoȱbeȱunderstoodȱasȱrepulȬ
sionȱ ofȱ theȱ Bogomiles’ȱ ideas49ȱ ofȱ aȱ ChristȬangel,ȱ whereasȱ theȱ ChristȬ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
46ȱȱ Cf.ȱKötting,ȱPeregrinatioȱ166–171.ȱ
47ȱȱ Greekȱ‫ڷ‬DŽDŽİNJǎǐ ‫ ۯ‬ij‫ܡ‬NJĮǍ.ȱ
48ȱȱ Cf.ȱ theȱ typeȱ ofȱ ChristȬiconsȱ “angelsȱ ofȱ theȱ Greatȱ Assembly”;ȱ forȱ theȱ theologyȱ cf.ȱ
Michaelis,ȱEngelchristologie.ȱ
49ȱȱ NeoȬManichaeanȱ Bulgarianȱ heresyȱ (10thȱ century)ȱ hadȱ aȱ consequentlyȱ gnosticȬduaȬ
listicȱ worldȬview;ȱ theyȱ rejectedȱ theȱ incarnation,ȱ crucifixionȱ andȱ ascensionȱ ofȱ Christȱ
andȱ consequentlyȱ Maryȱ asȱ God’sȱ mother;ȱ theyȱ alsoȱ rejectedȱ theȱ worshipȱ ofȱ angels,ȱ
saints,ȱ iconsȱ andȱ relicsȱ inȱ theȱ Orthodoxȱ Churchȱ andȱ theyȱ condemnedȱ theȱ churchȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 681ȱ

angelȱ inȱ theȱ compositionȱ ofȱ God’sȱ wisdomȱ reflectsȱ complicatedȱ theoȬ
logicalȱassociations.50ȱ
InȱthisȱcontextȱweȱreferȱonceȱagainȱtoȱtheȱmythȱofȱMichaelȱdefeatingȱ
Lucifer;ȱinȱpaintingȱthisȱmotifȱisȱknownȱsinceȱtheȱ6thȱcenturyȱandȱitȱwasȱ
usedȱinȱtheȱpoliticalȱideologyȱofȱtheȱChristianȱempire.ȱAlreadyȱinȱtheȱageȱofȱ
Emperorȱ Constantineȱ (†ȱ 337)ȱ Michaelȱ wasȱ veneratedȱ asȱ ‫ڲ‬ǏǒLjıIJǏĮIJdžDŽ‫ܟ‬ǐȱ
(“archȬgeneral”).ȱ Sinceȱ theȱ 9thȱ centuryȱ theseȱ ideasȱ wouldȱ beȱ directedȱ
especiallyȱ againstȱ theȱ Bogomilesȱ whoȱ identifiesȱ themselvesȱ withȱ theȱ
fallenȱ angelsȱ ofȱ mythȱ andȱ whoȱ worshippedȱ Christȱ asȱ theȱ “bodiless”ȱ
supremeȱangelȱwhoȱdidȱnotȱbecomeȱhumanȱbecauseȱofȱthis.ȱTheȱChurchȱ
opposedȱtheȱheretics’ȱidentificationȱofȱChristȱwithȱMichaelȱasȱanȱ“angelȱ
ofȱtheȱGreatȱAssembly”ȱbyȱdevelopingȱaȱtypeȱthatȱpresentsȱChristȱasȱanȱ
“angelȱ ofȱ theȱ Greatȱ Assembly”ȱ asȱ well,ȱ thoughȱ withȱ stigmataȱ inȱ hisȱ
handsȱ andȱ feet,ȱ aȱ conceptȱ whichȱ wasȱ unbearableȱ forȱ theȱ Bogomiles.ȱ
Thusȱ theȱ Churchȱ hadȱ toȱ defendȱ itsȱ doctrineȱ concerningȱ angelsȱ bothȱ
againstȱ anȱ exaggeratingȱ objectivizationȱ andȱ againstȱ anȱ exaggeratingȱ
spiritualization.ȱ

4.ȱTheȱBeautyȱofȱAngelsȱ

TheȱangelsȱareȱextremelyȱcloseȱtoȱGod,ȱtheyȱparticipateȱinȱhisȱaboundȬ
ingȱlifeȱandȱtheyȱcanȱlookȱatȱhim;ȱsurpassingȱtheȱcreatures’ȱstateȱofȱbeȬ
ingȱGod’sȱimage,ȱtheyȱareȱlikeȱHimȱandȱtheyȱareȱdistributingȱhisȱgiftsȱofȱ
graceȱ –ȱ inȱ spiteȱ ofȱ thisȱ Orthodoxȱ doctrineȱ stressesȱ theirȱ creaturelyȱ naȬ
tureȱ timeȱ andȱ again.ȱ Theȱ latterȱ putsȱ themȱ intoȱ anȱ immeasurableȱ reȬ
motenessȱ fromȱ God’sȱ overȬmightyȱ beingȱ andȱ Hisȱ selfȬsufficientȱ bliss.ȱ
Theyȱ doȱ theirȱ serviceȱ beforeȱ Godȱ withȱ aweȱ andȱ trembling,ȱ andȱ alȬ
thoughȱtheyȱareȱallowedȱtoȱseeȱGod,ȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱdareȱlookȱatȱHim,ȱbutȱ
coverȱthemselvesȱwithȱtheirȱwingsȱrespectfully.ȱȱ
Toȱlookȱatȱtheȱbeautyȱofȱyourȱinaccessibleȱglory,ȱtriȬsolarȱoneness,ȱtheȱSeraphimȱdoȱ
notȱ endure.ȱ Withȱ wingsȱ theyȱ coverȱ themselvesȱ andȱ inȱ thriceȬsacredȱ hymnsȱ theyȱ
praiseȱyouȱendlessly.51ȱ
Theȱangelsȱareȱradiatingȱwithȱunimaginableȱbeautyȱ–ȱaȱsymbolȱofȱtheirȱ
participationȱinȱdivineȱlife.ȱAsȱmostȱimpressiveȱsignȱofȱthisȱsupernatuȬ
ralȱ beautyȱ theȱ angelsȱ (whenȱ theyȱ areȱ allowedȱ toȱ beȱ seenȱ byȱ men)ȱ areȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
buildingsȱasȱdwellingȬplacesȱofȱtheȱDevil,ȱtheyȱdidȱnoȱacceptȱanyȱdivineȱserviceȱandȱ
ecclesiasticalȱrites.ȱ
50ȱȱ Cf.ȱtheȱBulgarianȱandȱSerbianȱiconsȱofȱtheȱtypeȱ“wisdomȱofȱGod”ȱwithȱtheȱpresentaȬ
tionȱofȱChristȱasȱmaleȱ(!)ȱSophia:ȱcf.ȱOnasch,ȱLexikonȱ382f.;ȱforȱtheȱappearanceȱofȱanȬ
gelsȱinȱiconȱofȱtheȱtrinity,ȱcf.ȱ89f.ȱ
51ȱȱ 4thȱCanonȱofȱtheȱTrinity,ȱ1stȱOde,ȱ3rdȱTroparion;ȱOktoichosȱ190.ȱ

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682ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

surroundedȱbyȱaȱsplendourȱofȱbrightnessȱemittedȱfromȱthemȱandȱcoverȬ
ingȱthem;ȱitȱisȱnotȱsufficientȱtoȱdescribeȱitȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheȱglitteringȱsnowȱ
andȱ theȱshiningȱ sun.ȱ Forȱmanȱ suchȱanȱ abundanceȱ ofȱ lightȱ isȱunendurȬ
ableȱsoȱthatȱfearȱandȱtremorȱseizeȱhimȱwhenȱanȱangelȱappears:ȱȱ
Toȱtheȱfirstȱofȱtheȱangelsȱyouȱgiveȱyourȱcommandsȱimmediatelyȱandȱyouȱmakeȱhimȱ
shineȱwithȱtheȱinaccessibleȱglamourȱofȱyourȱbeauty.ȱThroughȱyourȱbeams,ȱtrinity,ȱ
onlyȱandȱfirstȱcause,ȱilluminateȱthoseȱwhoȱsingȱtoȱyouȱinȱtrueȱfaith.52ȱ
Withȱ theȱ giftȱ ofȱ hisȱ holinessȱ Godȱ hasȱ crownedȱ theȱ beautyȱ theȱ angelsȱ
ownȱbecauseȱofȱtheirȱsupernaturalȱheavenlyȱspiritualȱnature.ȱAddingȱtoȱ
thisȱmercifulȱelevationȱheȱgaveȱimmortalityȱtoȱthem:ȱȱ
Itȱ[sc.ȱtheȱangel]ȱisȱimmortal,ȱnotȱbyȱnatureȱbutȱbyȱgrace.ȱForȱallȱthatȱhasȱhadȱbeȬ
ginningȱ comesȱ alsoȱ toȱ itsȱ naturalȱ end.ȱ Butȱ Godȱ aloneȱ isȱ eternal,ȱ orȱ rather,ȱ Heȱ isȱ
aboveȱtheȱEternal:ȱforȱHe,ȱtheȱCreatorȱofȱtimes,ȱisȱnotȱunderȱtheȱdominionȱofȱtime,ȱ
butȱaboveȱtime.ȱTheyȱareȱsecondaryȱintelligentȱlightsȱderivedȱfromȱthatȱfirstȱlightȱ
whichȱisȱwithoutȱbeginning,ȱforȱtheyȱhaveȱtheȱpowerȱofȱillumination;ȱtheyȱhaveȱnoȱ
needȱofȱtongueȱorȱhearing,ȱbutȱwithoutȱutteringȱwordsȱtheyȱcommunicateȱtoȱeachȱ
otherȱtheirȱownȱthoughtsȱandȱcounsels.53ȱȱ
Moreȱthanȱanywhereȱelseȱiconographsȱhaveȱtoȱuseȱsymbolsȱinȱorderȱtoȱ
representȱ theȱ angels’ȱ mercifulȱ elevationȱ inȱ anȱ image.ȱ Humanȱ reasonȱ
andȱ theȱ artist’sȱ fantasyȱ failȱ consideringȱ theȱ celestialȱ powers’ȱ holinessȱ
andȱbeautyȱthereȱremainȱonlyȱattemptsȱatȱalludingȱtoȱtheȱincomprehenȬ
sible.ȱSoȱtheȱByzantineȱimageȱofȱangelsȱisȱaȱresultȱofȱcombiningȱGreekȱ
andȱ Orientalȱ idealsȱ ofȱ beauty.ȱ Angelsȱ areȱ alwaysȱ paintedȱ asȱ juvenileȱ
maleȱ figuresȱ characterizedȱ byȱ statelyȱ shape,ȱ curlingȱ hairȱ andȱ beamingȱ
faces.ȱTheyȱareȱpresentedȱinȱanȱidealȱspiritualȱbeautyȱsoȱthatȱGod’sȱperȬ
fectȱ abundanceȱ ofȱ lifeȱ isȱ expressedȱ byȱ theirȱ alwaysȱ happyȱ youthȱ andȱ
flourishingȱlife.ȱ

5.ȱAppointedȱtoȱServeȱtheȱFaithful:ȱMichaelȱandȱGabrielȱ

MichaelȱandȱGabrielȱinȱparticularȱexceedȱamongȱthoseȱangelsȱwhoȱtakeȱ
careȱ ofȱ theȱ faithfuls’ȱ welfare;ȱ Holyȱ Scriptureȱ onlyȱ revealsȱ theseȱ twoȱ
angelicȱnamesȱandȱthatȱofȱRaphaelȱ(inȱTobit).54ȱ
Michaelȱ(Hebrewȱ=ȱwhoȱ[is]ȱlikeȱgod?)ȱisȱtheȱprotectiveȱspiritȱofȱtheȱ
Jewishȱ peopleȱ andȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ heavenlyȱ princesȱ (Danȱ 10:13,ȱ 21;ȱ 12:1).ȱ
AccordingȱtoȱJewishȱtraditionȱGodȱhasȱdividedȱtheȱnationsȱofȱtheȱworldȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
52ȱȱ 1stȱCanonȱofȱtheȱTrinity,ȱ5thȱOde,ȱ1stȱTroparion;ȱOktoichosȱ5.ȱ
53ȱȱ JohnȱtheȱDamascene,ȱfid.ȱorth.ȱ2,ȱ3.ȱ
54ȱȱ Forȱ theȱ furtherȱ developmentȱ ofȱ theȱ threeȱ intoȱ aȱ groupȱ ofȱ fourȱ (mostlyȱ includingȱ
Uriel)ȱandȱitsȱexpansionȱtoȱaȱgroupȱofȱsevenȱ(withȱfourȱfurtherȱnamesȱofȱangelsȱchoȬ
senȱarbitrarily)ȱandȱevenȱfurtherȱpossibleȱsequencesȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ183–186.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 683ȱ

intoȱ 72ȱ regionsȱ andȱ appointedȱ angelsȱ asȱ guardianȱ ofȱ each.ȱ Michaelȱ isȱ
theȱ greatestȱ amongȱ these.ȱ Inȱ extraȬcanonicalȱ Jewishȱ writingsȱ heȱ isȱ reȬ
gardedȱ asȱ God’sȱ confidantȱ takingȱ theȱ seatȱ ofȱ honourȱ nextȱ toȱ Himȱ andȱ
keepingȱ theȱ keysȱ ofȱ heaven.ȱ Heȱ isȱ theȱ angelȱ ofȱ justiceȱ andȱ judgement,ȱ
butȱalsoȱofȱmercyȱandȱgrace,ȱsupremeȱcelestialȱliturgistȱandȱcommanderȱ
ofȱtheȱheavenlyȱhosts.ȱ
Theȱ peopleȱ ofȱ theȱ newȱ covenantȱ adoptȱ theseȱ viewsȱ forȱ theȱ mostȱ
part.ȱTheȱangelȱMichaelȱbecomesȱtheȱarchangelȱ(Judeȱ9);ȱheȱisȱtheȱleaderȱ
ofȱ angelsȱ whoȱ fightȱ againstȱ Satanȱ andȱ theȱ guardianȱ ofȱ theȱ Churchȱ ofȱ
Jesusȱ (cf.ȱ Revȱ 12:7f.).ȱ Asȱ Joshuaȱ isȱ aboutȱ toȱ conquerȱ Jerichoȱ “heȱ sawȱ aȱ
manȱstandingȱbeforeȱhimȱwithȱaȱdrawnȱswordȱinȱhisȱhand”ȱwhoȱintroȬ
ducesȱ himselfȱ asȱ theȱ “commanderȱ ofȱ theȱ armyȱ ofȱ theȱ LORD”ȱ (Joshȱ
5:13f.).ȱ Correspondingȱ toȱ Jewishȱ interpretationȱ theȱ Orthodoxȱ Churchȱ
alsoȱ regardsȱ thisȱ figureȱ asȱ theȱ angelȱ Michael;ȱ theyȱ likeȱ toȱ callȱ himȱ
‫ڲ‬ǏǒLjıIJǏĮIJdžDŽ‫ܟ‬ǐȱ(“commanderȬinȬchief”)ȱandȱoftenȱrepresentȱhimȱwearingȱ
anȱarmour.ȱ
Manyȱlegendsȱareȱtoldȱaboutȱthisȱangel.ȱTheȱJewishȱsawȱMichaelȱasȱ
theirȱsaviourȱfromȱmanyȱaȱdanger,ȱwhoȱespeciallyȱintervenesȱatȱtheȱendȱ
ofȱtimesȱandȱmakesȱitȱaȱhappyȱending;ȱinȱChristianȱopinionȱheȱwasȱalsoȱ
regardedȱ asȱ anȱ assistantȱ inȱ anyȱ need:ȱ Heȱ takesȱ careȱ toȱ guideȱ theȱ deȬ
ceasedȱsafelyȱbeforeȱGod’sȱtribunal.ȱHeȱsavesȱtheȱsoulsȱfromȱtheȱsnaresȱ
arrangedȱbyȱtheȱnumerousȱspiritsȱwhoȱwereȱsupposedȱtoȱbeȱhoveringȱinȱ
theȱair.ȱHeȱleadsȱthemȱsafeȱandȱsoundȱintoȱAbraham’sȱbosom,ȱanȱimageȱ
ofȱ Paradiseȱ andȱ ofȱ theȱ dwellingȬplaceȱ ofȱ theȱsoulsȱuntilȱ theirȱ resurrecȬ
tion.ȱ Inȱ theȱ parableȱ ofȱ theȱ Richȱ Manȱ andȱ Lazarusȱ Christȱ mentionsȱ anȬ
gelsȱ whoȱ carryȱ theȱ poorȱ intoȱ theȱ Patriarch’sȱ bosomȱ (Lukeȱ 16:22).ȱ Theȱ
apocryphalȱ Gospelȱ ofȱ Nicodemusȱ mayȱ concludeȱ fromȱ thisȱ thatȱ Jesusȱ
entrustsȱMichaelȱwithȱtheȱsoulsȱofȱtheȱredeemedȱwhenȱheȱdescendedȱtoȱ
Hades.ȱFinally,ȱMichaelȱisȱregardedȱasȱtheȱarchangelȱwithȱwhoseȱ“callȱ
andȱwithȱtheȱsoundȱofȱGod’sȱtrumpet”ȱ(1Thessȱ4:16)ȱChristȱwillȱdescendȱ
fromȱheavenȱasȱjudge.ȱAtȱthisȱmomentȱMichael’sȱintercessoryȱprayerȱisȱ
particularlyȱnecessary.ȱ
Theȱ dignityȱ assignedȱ toȱ Michaelȱ byȱ theȱ Holyȱ Scriptureȱ andȱ byȱ
popularȱ beliefȱ isȱ moreȱ importantȱ thanȱ thatȱ ofȱ anyȱ otherȱ angel.ȱ ThereȬ
fore,ȱtheȱtitleȱofȱ“archangel”ȱdoesȱnotȱmeanȱthatȱheȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱlowȬ
estȱ groupȱ ofȱ celestialȱ choirs,ȱ butȱ thatȱ heȱ takesȱ aȱ privilegedȱ positionȱ
amongȱallȱcelestialȱpowers.ȱ
Michael,ȱsublimeȱleaderȱofȱangelsȱteacherȱofȱtheȱerring,ȱsupremeȱcommanderȱofȱtheȱ
Lord’sȱhost,ȱappearȱamongȱusȱinȱthisȱveryȱhourȱandȱtakeȱtheȱprayersȱofȱallȱtheȱfaithȬ
fulȱ beforeȱ toȱ soleȱ creatorȱ andȱ lord.ȱ Michael,ȱ sublimeȱ leaderȱ ofȱ angels,ȱ rescueȱ theȱ
peopleȱwhoȱassembleȱtodayȱinȱyourȱtempleȱandȱproclaimȱGod’sȱmagnificentȱdoings.ȱ
Michael,ȱ leaderȱ ofȱ angels,ȱ youȱ areȱ standingȱ byȱ theȱ governor’sȱ throne,ȱ appearȱ
amongȱusȱandȱguideȱontoȱtheȱpathsȱofȱlifeȱthoseȱwhoseȱconstantȱprotectorȱyouȱare.ȱ

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684ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

Michael,ȱsupremeȱcommanderȱofȱtheȱLord’sȱhost,ȱthoseȱwhoȱfaithfullyȱassembleȱinȱ
yourȱ holyȱ templeȱ toȱ praiseȱ God,ȱ guideȱ andȱ protectȱ themȱ fromȱ anyȱ harmȱ throughȱ
yourȱ intercession.ȱ Youȱ leaderȱ ofȱ theȱ bodiless,ȱ headȱ ofȱ theȱ powers,ȱ togetherȱ withȱ
themȱprayȱforȱus,ȱthatȱourȱtrespassesȱwillȱbeȱforgiven,ȱthatȱourȱlivesȱwillȱimproveȱ
andȱ thatȱ weȱ willȱ enjoyȱ theȱ eternalȱ blessings.ȱ Illumination,ȱ begȱ forȱ us,ȱ supremeȱ
commanderȱofȱhosts,ȱasȱyouȱsteadfastlyȱaccompanyȱtheȱgreatȱlight,ȱandȱgiveȱpeaceȱ
toȱourȱexistenceȱwhichȱisȱthreatenedȱbyȱtheȱserpentȱeverywhereȱandȱisȱalwaysȱtrouȬ
bledȱbyȱtheȱdangersȱofȱlife,ȱyouȱadorable!55ȱȱ
Gabrielȱ(Hebrewȱ=ȱstrength/ȱheroȱofȱgod)ȱisȱmentionedȱinȱtheȱOldȱTesȬ
tamentȱonlyȱinȱDan,ȱheȱtransmitsȱdivineȱrevelationsȱtoȱtheȱprophetȱ(Danȱ
8:16;ȱ 9:21).ȱ Inȱ theȱ Newȱ Testamentȱ heȱ introducesȱ himselfȱ asȱ “Gabrielȱ
whoȱ standsȱ inȱ theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ God”ȱ (Lukeȱ 1:19).ȱ Heȱ announcesȱ theȱ
birthȱ ofȱ Johnȱ andȱ theȱ incarnationȱ ofȱ Jesus.ȱ Onlyȱ postȬBiblicalȱ writingsȱ
callȱhimȱanȱ“archangel”.ȱInȱtheȱOrthodoxȱChurchȱMichaelȱandȱGabrielȱ
areȱ usuallyȱ mentionedȱ together.ȱ Allȱ characteristicsȱ andȱ activitiesȱ ofȱ
Michaelȱ whichȱ areȱ dedicatedȱ toȱ theȱ welfareȱ ofȱ God’sȱ peopleȱ areȱ alsoȱ
attributedȱtoȱGabriel;ȱtoȱhimȱinȱparticularȱtheȱangelicȱbookkeepingȱconȬ
cerningȱ humanȱ deedsȱ isȱ assigned.ȱ Asȱ forȱ hisȱ dignityȱ heȱ isȱ closelyȱ reȬ
latedȱtoȱMichael:ȱ
Gabriel,ȱtheȱgreatestȱspirit,ȱmostȱperfectlyȱcreatedȱinȱtheȱimageȱofȱGod,ȱtheȱbrightȬ
nessȱofȱcelestialȱlightȱwhoȱbeholdsȱtheȱtrinitaryȱsunȱandȱseesȱtogetherȱwithȱtheȱhostsȱ
ofȱheaven,ȱannouncedȱtoȱtheȱVirginȱtheȱaweȬinspiringȱmysteryȱwhenȱheȱvisitedȱher;ȱ
heȱ isȱ prayingȱ forȱ ourȱ souls.56ȱ –ȱ Inȱ heavenȱ youȱ lookȱ atȱ God’sȱ gloryȱ andȱ offerȱ Hisȱ
graceȱ fromȱ theȱ heightsȱ onȱ earth;ȱ leaderȱ ofȱ angels,ȱ wiseȱ Gabriel,ȱ servantȱ ofȱ God’sȱ
gloryȱ andȱ divineȱ championȱ ofȱ theȱ world,ȱ rescue,ȱ protectȱ thoseȱ whoȱ areȱ invokingȱ
you:ȱBeȱaȱhelperȱyourself,ȱandȱnoȱoneȱisȱagainstȱus!57ȱ
Manifoldȱ areȱ theȱ presentationsȱ showingȱ theȱ angelsȱ functioningȱ asȱ
guardianȱangels58ȱandȱdivineȱmessengers.ȱHolyȱScriptureȱoffersȱvariousȱ
suggestionsȱtoȱsuchȱillustrations.ȱThisȱsubjectȱcanȱonlyȱbeȱpresentedȱinȱ
anȱexampleȱhere;ȱweȱhaveȱchosenȱtheȱdeesis.ȱ
Theȱdeesisȱ(“intercession”)ȱisȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱmanyȱpaintingsȱonȱwallsȱ
andȱ tablets.ȱ Kyriosȱ Christosȱ isȱ sittingȱ onȱ theȱ throneȱ ofȱ divineȱ glory.ȱ
Blessing,ȱteachingȱandȱjudgingȱheȱholdsȱoutȱhisȱrightȱhand;ȱinȱhisȱleftȱheȱ
isȱ holdingȱ theȱ bookȱ ofȱlife.ȱ Allȱ menȱ haveȱ toȱ answerȱ himȱ forȱ theirȱ conȬ
duct.ȱWhenȱheȱappearsȱsurroundedȱbyȱtheȱhostsȱofȱheaven,ȱmenȱhaveȱtoȱ
accountȱforȱtheirȱactivitiesȱbeforeȱhim.ȱGoodȱandȱimportantȱintercessorsȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
55ȱȱ CanonȱofȱJosephȱonȱtheȱparalyzed,ȱtheȱ5thȱTropariaȱofȱtheȱ4thȱ–ȱ9thȱOde,ȱinȱtheȱmornȬ
ingȱofȱtheȱ3rdȱSundayȱafterȱEaster;ȱPentekostarionȱ77–81.ȱ
56ȱȱ SticheronȱinȱmemoryȱofȱGabriel,ȱMarchȱ26;ȱMenaion,ȱMärzȱ166.ȱ
57ȱȱ KontakionȱinȱmemoryȱofȱallȱappearancesȱofȱtheȱarchangelȱGabriel,ȱJulyȱ13;ȱHorologȬ
ionȱ414f..ȱ
58ȱȱ InȱSyriaȱweȱoftenȱfindȱtheȱsignȱȋȂī onȱtombsȱandȱdoorȬframes, whichȱprobablyȱmeansȱ
„Christȱ–ȱMichaelȱ–ȱGabriel“andȱwillȱhaveȱanȱapotropaicȱfunctionȱinȱanyȱcaseȱ(simiȬ
larȱtoȱtheȱwidespreadȱC+M+BȱinȱtheȱAlps)ȱ;ȱcf.ȱMichl,ȱEngelȱ182.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 685ȱ

areȱurgentlyȱneededȱthenȱ–ȱMaryȱandȱJohnȱtheȱBaptist,ȱhisȱmotherȱandȱ
hisȱprecursor.ȱHumblyȱtheyȱholdȱupȱtheirȱhandsȱandȱbegȱforȱgraceȱforȱ
mankind.ȱTheȱarrangementȱofȱtheȱpersonsȱjustȱmentionedȱisȱimportant:ȱ
Christ’sȱ motherȱ Maryȱ isȱ placedȱ onȱ Christ’sȱ right,59ȱ theȱ Baptistȱ onȱ theȱ
left.ȱBehindȱtheȱBaptistȱGabrielȱisȱstanding,ȱthusȱlookingȱatȱMaryȱ(asȱinȱ
theȱ annunciation);ȱ behindȱ Maryȱ Michaelȱ isȱ positioned,ȱ whoȱ isȱ facingȱ
theȱ Baptist.60ȱ Theȱ celestialȱ powersȱ joinȱ them.ȱ Theȱ angelsȱ followȱ theirȱ
queenȱ inȱ herȱ intercessoryȱ praying.ȱ Incessantlyȱ theyȱ intercedeȱ forȱ theirȱ
brothersȱonȱearth.ȱ
Theȱ churchȱ buildingȱ isȱ anȱ antechamberȱ ofȱ heaven.ȱ Michaelȱ andȱ
Gabrielȱareȱitsȱguards.ȱInȱmanyȱchurchesȱweȱfindȱtheirȱportraitsȱnextȱtoȱ
theȱ portalȱ whichȱ leadsȱ fromȱ theȱ entranceȱ hallȱ toȱ theȱ nave:ȱ Michaelȱ asȱ
general,ȱ Gabrielȱ carryingȱ theȱ scroll.ȱ Thisȱ presentationȱ isȱ toȱ remindȱ usȱ
thatȱ Gabrielȱ writesȱ downȱ allȱ thoughtsȱ andȱ deedsȱ ofȱ menȱ toȱ preserveȱ
themȱforȱdoomsdayȱsoȱthatȱonlyȱtheȱjustȱwillȱgainȱaccessȱtoȱGod’sȱglory.ȱ
Asȱ God’sȱ creatureȱ heȱ wearsȱ aȱ blueȱ tunic.ȱ Theȱ goldȱ ofȱ heavenȱ andȱ theȱ
purpleȱofȱdivineȱmajestyȱdecorateȱhisȱgownȱandȱhisȱwings.ȱTheȱbeautiȬ
fulȱ headȱ reflectsȱ eternalȱ youthȱ andȱ holiness;ȱ itȱ isȱ directedȱ towardsȱ theȱ
visitorsȱ ofȱ theȱ church.ȱ Godȱ himselfȱ isȱ lookingȱ intoȱ humanȱ heartsȱ
throughȱtheseȱeyes.ȱ

6.ȱChristianȱLifeȱ–ȱParticipatingȱinȱtheȱAngels’ȱLifeȱ

Thereȱ isȱ noȱ churchȱ buildingȱ inȱ theȱ cultureȱ ofȱ theȱ Easternȱ Churchesȱ
whereȱ thereȱ areȱ noȱ representationsȱ ofȱ angels.61ȱ Theȱ churchȱ buildingȱ isȱ
theȱ pointȱ ofȱ intersectionȱ ofȱ theȱ celestialȱ andȱ theȱ terrestrialȱ world;ȱ hereȱ
theȱvisibleȱandȱtheȱinvisibleȱcreationȱareȱunitedȱbyȱChrist,ȱwhoȱhasȱesȬ
tablishedȱhisȱthroneȱinȱit.ȱ
Theȱnewȱrealityȱgivenȱtoȱmenȱthroughȱtheȱsacramentsȱisȱaȱgiftȱandȱaȱ
demandȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime.ȱWhenȱtheȱfaithfulȱpray:ȱ“Yourȱwillȱbeȱdoneȱ
asȱinȱheavenȱsoȱonȱearth!”ȱ(Mattȱ6:10)ȱtheyȱknowȱthatȱtheȱcelestialȱpowȬ
ersȱ meetȱ withȱ God’sȱ purposeȱ perfectly.ȱ Theȱ Christianȱ imitatesȱ theȱ anȬ
gels’ȱexampleȱwhenȱheȱdetachesȱhimselfȱfromȱaȱthinkingȱofȱthisȱworld.ȱ
Whenȱ heȱ emulatesȱ theȱ angelsȱ inȱ surrenderingȱ toȱ divineȱ purposeȱ heȱ isȱ
leadingȱ anȱ angelȬlikeȱ life.ȱ Forȱ thisȱ theyȱ areȱ hisȱ exampleȱ andȱ stimulus.ȱ
Theyȱ ventureȱ anythingȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ guideȱ andȱ toȱ supportȱ hisȱ endeavȬ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
59ȱȱ Asȱseenȱfromȱwithinȱtheȱicon,ȱthatȱisȱ“left”ȱfromȱtheȱobserver’sȱpointȱofȱview.ȱ
60ȱȱ NB:ȱ Whoȱ isȱ familiarȱ withȱ theȱ methodȱ ofȱ theȱ soȬcalledȱ “Familienaufstellung”ȱ inȱ theȱ
fieldȱofȱpsychotherapyȱmayȱthinkȱitȱoverȱwhatȱitȱmeans,ȱwhichȱarchangelȱisȱstandingȱ
behindȱ(!)ȱwhichȱperson.ȱ
61ȱȱ Cf.ȱHeiser,ȱEngelȱ143ff.ȱ

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686ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

ours.ȱ Withȱ theȱ festiveȱ seasonsȱ theȱ churchȱ offersȱ toȱ theȱ faithfulȱ manyȱ
opportunitiesȱtoȱimitateȱtheȱLord;ȱitȱisȱespeciallyȱtheȱpurposeȱofȱLentȱtoȱ
bringȱaboutȱthis.ȱSoȱtheȱangels’ȱsupportȱisȱaskedȱjustȱforȱtheseȱveryȱ40ȱ
daysȱofȱpenance:ȱȱ
Atȱanyȱtimeȱfastingȱisȱgoodȱforȱthoseȱwhoȱchooseȱtoȱdoȱsoȱandȱkeepȱit.ȱAȱfastingȱperȬ
sonȱisȱnotȱchallengedȱbyȱtheȱdemons’ȱwantonness,ȱonȱtheȱcontrary,ȱtheȱguardiansȱofȱ
ourȱlife,ȱtheȱangels,ȱpreferȱtoȱstayȱwithȱusȱwhenȱweȱareȱpurifiedȱbyȱfasting.62ȱȱ
EveryȱChristianȱisȱcalledȱtoȱimitateȱtheȱLord.ȱButȱthereȱareȱsomeȱwhomȱ
Godȱgivesȱtheȱorderȱandȱgraceȱtheyȱneedȱforȱitȱinȱaȱsingularȱway:ȱtheseȱ
areȱtheȱmonksȱandȱnuns.ȱGodȱcallsȱthemȱwhenȱtheyȱareȱadmittedȱtoȱtheȱ
choirȱ ofȱ monksȱ “toȱ beȱ deemedȱ worthyȱ ofȱ theȱ angels’ȱ mode”.63ȱ Theyȱ
leaveȱ theȱ profaneȱ wayȱ ofȱ lifeȱ whichȱ doesȱ notȱ meanȱ thatȱ theyȱ departȱ
fromȱtheȱworldȱorȱdoȱnotȱhaveȱanyȱcommissionȱtoȱexecuteȱinȱit.ȱ
Aȱsolemnȱpromiseȱisȱobtainedȱfromȱtheȱdisciplesȱwhoȱareȱadmittedȱtoȱbeȱinstructedȱ
inȱreligion,ȱandȱtheyȱareȱwarnedȱnotȱtoȱbeȱgovernedȱbyȱtheȱtransientȱworld,ȱbutȱbyȱ
theȱalwaysȱsolidȱnatureȱofȱtheȱangelsȱtoȱwhomȱtheyȱoughtȱtoȱlookȱup.ȱTheirȱexampleȱ
willȱstrengthenȱtheȱstabilityȱandȱsteadfastnessȱofȱtheirȱvirtueȱinȱpublic.ȱAsȱitȱisȱinȬ
deedȱpromisedȱtoȱusȱthatȱlifeȱafterȱourȱresurrectionȱwillȱbeȱlikeȱtheȱstatusȱofȱtheȱanȬ
gelsȱ(cf.ȱMattȱ22:30)ȱ…;ȱitȱfollowsȱthatȱalreadyȱlifeȱinȱthisȱworldȱhasȱtoȱbeȱassimiȬ
latedȱtoȱtheȱfutureȱlifeȱweȱareȱhopingȱfor.ȱThisȱmustȱbeȱdoneȱinȱsuchȱaȱwayȱthatȱyet,ȱ
whileȱweȱareȱlivingȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱfleshȱandȱareȱdwellingȱonȱtheȱsoilȱofȱthisȱworld,ȱ
weȱdoȱnotȱliveȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱfleshȱandȱareȱnotȱconformedȱtoȱthisȱworldȱ(cf.ȱRomȱ
8:12;ȱ12:2,ȱbutȱalreadyȱaccommodateȱourselvesȱtoȱthatȱlifeȱwhichȱweȱhopeȱforȱinȱtheȱ
hereafter.ȱTherefore,ȱtheȱbrideȱ(=ȱtheȱchurch)ȱaddressesȱtheȱsoulsȱofȱherȱdisciplesȱandȱ
earnestlyȱremindsȱthemȱtoȱbeȱguidedȱbyȱheavenȱinȱtheirȱlifeȱonȱthisȱsoil,ȱtoȱlookȱforȱ
theȱcelestialȱpowersȱandȱtoȱimitateȱtheȱangels’ȱpurityȱthroughȱcalmnessȱofȱmind.64ȱȱ
Suchȱthoughtsȱareȱnotȱmerelyȱwishfulȱthinking,ȱbutȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱgistȱofȱ
Christianȱbelief,ȱtheyȱareȱtestimonyȱofȱtheȱHolyȱSpirit’sȱeffectivenessȱasȱ
St.ȱPaulȱhasȱit:ȱ“ByȱtheȱgraceȱofȱGodȱIȱamȱwhatȱIȱam,ȱandȱhisȱgraceȱtoȬ
wardȱ meȱ hasȱ notȱ beenȱ inȱ vain”ȱ (1Korȱ 15:10).ȱ Toȱ someȱ people,ȱ whoȱ
striveȱtoȱobeyȱGod’sȱwillȱwithȱallȱtheirȱmight,ȱangelsȱsometimesȱappearȱ
andȱ strengthenȱ themȱ inȱ theirȱ efforts.ȱ Theirȱ appearancesȱ willȱ supplyȱ
themȱwithȱcomfortȱandȱstrength.ȱTheseȱexperiencesȱofȱgraceȱareȱeffectedȱ
byȱGodȱhimself:ȱ
Butȱ itȱ comesȱ soȱ quietlyȱ andȱ gentlyȱ thatȱ immediatelyȱ joy,ȱ gladnessȱ andȱ courageȱ
ariseȱinȱtheȱsoul.ȱForȱtheȱLordȱwhoȱisȱourȱjoyȱisȱwithȱthem,ȱandȱtheȱpowerȱofȱGodȱ
theȱFather.ȱAndȱtheȱthoughtsȱofȱtheȱsoulȱremainȱunruffledȱandȱundisturbed,ȱsoȱthatȱ
it,ȱenlightenedȱasȱitȱwereȱwithȱrays,ȱbeholdsȱbyȱitselfȱthoseȱwhoȱappear.ȱForȱtheȱloveȱ
ofȱwhatȱisȱdivineȱandȱofȱtheȱthingsȱtoȱcomeȱpossessesȱit,ȱandȱwillinglyȱitȱwouldȱbeȱ
whollyȱ joinedȱ withȱ themȱ ifȱ itȱ couldȱ departȱ alongȱ withȱ them.ȱ Butȱ if,ȱ beingȱ men,ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
62ȱȱ IdiomelonȱonȱMondayȱmorningȱbeforeȱtheȱ7thȱSundayȱbeforeȱEaster;ȱTriodionȱ37.ȱ
63ȱȱ RiteȱofȱinvestitureȱforȱtheȱsmallȱSchima;ȱEuchologionȱ148.ȱ
64ȱȱ GregoryȱofȱNyssa,ȱInȱcant.ȱ4ȱ[PGȱ44,ȱ856C–857A].ȱ

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someȱfearȱtheȱvisionȱofȱtheȱgood,ȱthoseȱwhoȱappearȱimmediatelyȱtakeȱfearȱaway;ȱasȱ
Gabrielȱ(Lukeȱ1:13)ȱdidȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱZechariah,ȱandȱasȱtheȱangelȱ(Markȱ16:6)ȱdidȱ
whoȱappearedȱtoȱtheȱwomenȱatȱtheȱholyȱsepulchre,ȱandȱasȱHeȱdidȱwhoȱsaidȱtoȱtheȱ
shepherdsȱ inȱ theȱ Gospel,ȱ ȈFearȱ notȈ(Lukeȱ 2:10).ȱ Forȱ theirȱ fearȱ aroseȱ notȱ fromȱ tiȬ
midity,ȱbutȱfromȱtheȱrecognitionȱofȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱsuperiorȱbeings.ȱSuchȱthenȱisȱtheȱ
natureȱofȱtheȱvisionsȱofȱtheȱholyȱones.65ȱ

7.ȱTheȱAngelsȱGuidingȱtheȱSoulȱofȱtheȱDeceasedȱ

Theȱ beliefȱ thatȱ angelsȱ takeȱ chargeȱ ofȱ theȱ soulȱ whenȱ aȱ manȱ diesȱ andȱ
guideȱitȱtoȱtheȱworldȱbeyondȱexpressesȱtheȱconvictionȱthatȱGodȱaloneȱisȱ
theȱlordȱofȱlifeȱandȱdeath.ȱItȱisȱtheirȱtaskȱtoȱseparateȱtheȱsoulȱfromȱtheȱ
bodyȱandȱaccompanyȱitȱtoȱitsȱdestination;ȱtheyȱprotectȱtheȱsoulsȱofȱtheȱ
righteousȱagainstȱtheȱdemonsȱandȱprepareȱtheirȱhonourableȱwelcomeȱatȱ
theirȱ destination.ȱ Forȱ theȱ soulsȱ thatȱ mustȱ stayȱ atȱ aȱ distanceȱ fromȱ Godȱ
untilȱ doomsdayȱ becauseȱ theyȱ haveȱ ledȱ aȱ viciousȱ lifeȱ onȱ earth,ȱ thereȱ
merelyȱ remainsȱ oneȱ singleȱ comfortȱ andȱ hope,ȱ namelyȱ theȱ knowledgeȱ
thatȱtheyȱareȱnotȱexcludedȱfromȱtheȱintercessoryȱprayersȱofȱtheȱcommuȬ
nityȱofȱangels:ȱ
Please,ȱmyȱbelovedȱangels,ȱrecallȱmyȱintercourseȱwithȱyouȱandȱrememberȱme!ȱHaveȱ
mercyȱ uponȱ me,ȱ youȱ holiestȱ angelsȱ ofȱ theȱ almightyȱ God,ȱ andȱ releaseȱ meȱ ofȱ theȱ
wagesȱofȱallȱevil;ȱsinceȱIȱcannotȱexhibitȱanyȱgoodȱworkȱtoȱcounterbalanceȱmyȱtresȬ
passes.ȱ Whenȱ you,ȱ myȱ holiestȱ angels,ȱ willȱ comeȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ standȱ beforeȱ Christ’sȱ
tribunal,ȱbendȱyourȱkneesȱandȱcryȱoutȱtoȱhimȱwithȱlaments:ȱhaveȱmercy,ȱcreatorȱofȱ
everything,ȱonȱtheȱworkȱofȱyourȱfingersȱandȱdoȱnotȱrejectȱit,ȱgraciousȱlord!ȱOnȱyourȱ
kneesȱentreatȱtheȱmistressȱandȱpurestȱmotherȱofȱourȱGodȱandȱimploreȱthatȱsheȱbendȱ
herȱkneesȱwithȱyouȱandȱmakeȱhimȱfavourȱyourȱprayer;ȱforȱsheȱasȱmotherȱandȱwetȬ
nurseȱwillȱbeȱheard.66ȱ
Dyingȱcalmlyȱandȱpeacefullyȱisȱregardedȱasȱaȱreflectionȱofȱtheȱjoyȱofȱtheȱ
angelsȱ whoȱ areȱ presentȱ atȱ theȱ deathbed;ȱ theyȱ haveȱ hastenedȱ toȱ guideȱ
theȱsoulȱintoȱParadise.ȱIfȱmanȱhasȱtriedȱtoȱimitateȱtheȱangels’ȱlifeȱinȱhisȱ
lifetime,ȱ thisȱ mysticȱ ascendingȱ isȱ nowȱ continuedȱ byȱ furtherȱ ascendingȱ
towardsȱGod.ȱTheȱangelsȱareȱcompanionsȱandȱguides.ȱAsȱevenȱaȱrightȬ
eousȱ personȱ isȱ notȱ sinlessȱ whenȱ facingȱ God’sȱ holiness,ȱ demonsȱ andȱ
Satan’sȱangelsȱandȱassistantsȱlurkȱatȱhisȱwayȱinȱorderȱtoȱlayȱclaimȱtoȱhisȱ
soul.ȱTheyȱdemandȱtributeȱandȱduty,ȱandȱtheyȱtryȱtoȱbarȱtheȱpassageȱtoȱ
Paradise.ȱTheȱimageȱofȱtheȱcustomȱhouseȱisȱemployedȱtoȱexplainȱthis.ȱInȱ
spiteȱofȱtheirȱthreatsȱandȱtheȱhorrorȱtheyȱevoke,ȱtheyȱareȱpowerlessȱwithȱ
regardȱ toȱ theȱ faithfulȱ becauseȱ Christȱ hasȱ rescuedȱ theȱ latterȱ fromȱ theȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
65ȱȱ Athanasius,ȱv.ȱAnt.ȱ35.ȱ
66ȱȱ Canonȱofȱprayerȱforȱaȱdyingȱperson,ȱ7thȱOde,ȱ1stȱ–ȱ4thȱTroparia;ȱEuchologionȱ299.ȱ

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688ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

demons’ȱreignȱwhenȱheȱwasȱexaltedȱonȱtheȱcross.ȱTheȱangelsȱopposeȱtheȱ
demonsȱ andȱ rejectȱ anyȱ slanderȱ concerningȱ sinȱ thatȱ hasȱ alreadyȱ beenȱ
forgiven.ȱ Theyȱ accompanyȱ theȱ soulsȱ ofȱ theȱ righteousȱ protectingȱ themȱ
againstȱ theȱ terrifyingȱ faces.ȱ Ifȱ theȱ demonsȱ cannotȱ proveȱ theirȱ accusaȬ
tions,ȱtheyȱhaveȱtoȱletȱtheȱsoulȱpassȱon.ȱButȱifȱtheȱperson’sȱtrespassesȱareȱ
tooȱbadȱandȱnotȱcounterbalancedȱbyȱanyȱgoodȱdeed,ȱtheȱdemonsȱsnatchȱ
theȱsoulȱawayȱfromȱtheȱangels’ȱhands.ȱAȱsoulȱlikeȱthisȱwillȱbeȱtakenȱtoȱ
Hadesȱtoȱexcruciatingȱtorment.ȱThisȱisȱnotȱtheȱfinalȱjudgement,ȱthough,ȱ
asȱthisȱisȱreservedȱtoȱChrist.ȱSinceȱitȱisȱmerelyȱaȱpreliminaryȱJudgementȱ
whichȱcanȱbeȱannulledȱbyȱChrist’sȱverdictȱtheȱguardianȱangelȱisȱaskedȱ
toȱpersistȱinȱprayingȱforȱtheȱdeceased.ȱThisȱisȱtheȱlastȱactȱofȱkindnessȱtheȱ
angelsȱcanȱperformȱforȱmen:ȱȱ
Nowȱallȱmyȱlifetimeȱhasȱevaporatedȱlikeȱsmoke;ȱonlyȱtheȱangelsȱsentȱbyȱGodȱareȱstillȱ
there;ȱ theyȱ layȱ claimȱ toȱ myȱ poorȱ soulȱ mercilessly.ȱ Behold,ȱ aȱ troopȱ ofȱ evilȱ spiritsȱ
takesȱmeȱbyȱsurprise;ȱtheyȱpresentȱaȱcatalogueȱofȱmyȱsin,ȱtheyȱshoutȱfuriouslyȱandȱ
layȱclaimȱtoȱmyȱpoorȱsoulȱimpudently.67ȱȱ

8.ȱAngelsȱandȱSaintsȱ

Likeȱ theȱ earlyȱ churchȱ Orthodoxyȱ firstȱ talksȱ aboutȱ martyrsȱ whenȱ itȱ
praisesȱtheȱsaintsȱofȱheavenȱinȱsongs.68ȱAlreadyȱsinceȱtheȱearliestȱtimesȱ
theȱ churchȱ especiallyȱ reveredȱ herȱ martyrs.ȱ Likeȱ St.ȱ Paulȱ theyȱ haveȱ
“foughtȱtheȱgoodȱfight,ȱfinishedȱtheȱrace,ȱkeptȱtheȱfaith”,ȱnowȱthereȱisȱ
reservedȱforȱ themȱ “theȱ crownȱ ofȱ righteousness”,ȱ whichȱ “theȱ Lord,ȱ theȱ
righteousȱjudgeȱwillȱgive”ȱthemȱ(2Timȱ4:7f.).ȱTheȱmetaphorȱofȱtheȱconȬ
testȱinȱaȱstadiumȱperfectlyȱsuitsȱtheȱmartyrsȱwhoȱsacrificedȱtheirȱlivesȱinȱ
theȱarenasȱofȱtheȱRomanȱEmpireȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱtheirȱfaith.69ȱTheȱcrownȱ
asȱ aȱ prizeȱ isȱ aȱ metaphorȱ ofȱ eternalȱ lifeȱ thatȱ isȱ givenȱ toȱ theȱ martyrs.ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
67ȱȱ Canonȱofȱprayerȱforȱaȱdyingȱperson,ȱ1stȱOde,ȱ2ndȱandȱ3rdȱTroparion;ȱEuchologionȱ297.ȱ
68ȱȱ Afterȱ Constantineȱ hadȱ madeȱ peaceȱ alsoȱ thoseȱ areȱ worshippedȱ asȱ saintsȱ whoseȱ lifeȱ
resembledȱtheȱmartyrs’ȱinȱthatȱtheyȱshowedȱgreatȱloveȱforȱChrist.ȱ
69ȱȱ RegardingȱmartyrsȱinȱRev:ȱtheȱonlyȱmartyrȱtoȱbeȱmentionedȱbyȱnameȱisȱAntipasȱ(Revȱ
2:13);ȱbutȱnumerousȱanonymousȱvictimsȱofȱRomanȱtyrannyȱstandȱbesideȱhimȱ(cf.ȱRevȱ
6:9;ȱ12:17;ȱ17:6;ȱ20:4),ȱsoȱthatȱtheȱauthorȱofȱRevȱmayȱfinallyȱsay,ȱthatȱinȱRomeȱisȱfoundȱ
“theȱbloodȱofȱprophetsȱandȱofȱsaints,ȱandȱofȱallȱwhoȱhaveȱbeenȱslaughteredȱonȱearth”ȱ
(18:24)ȱhereȱtheȱperspectiveȱisȱextendedȱtoȱotherȱvictimsȱofȱRomeȱmurderousȱruleȱbeȬ
sidesȱChristianȱmartyrs.ȱThusȱheȱmakesȱclearȱthatȱtheȱexecutionsȱwereȱnotȱtheȱfateȱofȱ
aȱfewȱindividuals,ȱbutȱratherȱthatȱanyoneȱleadingȱaȱChristianȱlifeȱconsequentlyȱhasȱtoȱ
takeȱsuchȱaȱlotȱintoȱaccountȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱRomanȱEmpire.ȱAccordingȱ
toȱtheȱsourcesȱavailable,ȱbyȱtheȱendȱofȱDomitian’sȱreignȱChristiansȱwereȱnotȱsystemȬ
aticallyȱ spiedȱ outȱ andȱ persecuted;ȱ butȱ amongȱ hisȱ addresseesȱ persecutionȱ hadȱ beenȱ
experiencedȱasȱaȱdistressingȱsituation;ȱcf.ȱErnst,ȱOffenbarungȱdesȱJohannes,ȱin:ȱBeilnerȱ/ȱ
Ernst,ȱWortȱGottesȱ618f.ȱ

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ȱ AngelsȱinȱOrthodoxȱReligiousȱPracticeȱandȱArtȱ 689ȱ

Christȱ himselfȱ comesȱ toȱ meetȱ theȱ victoriousȱ withȱ hisȱ hostsȱ andȱ takesȱ
themȱtoȱtheȱFatherȱintoȱglory.ȱ
Theȱangels’ȱcelestialȱworldȱisȱinterestedȱinȱthisȱcontestȱonȱearth.ȱAsȱ
soonȱ asȱ theȱ trumpetȱ inȱ theȱ stadiumȱ announcesȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ contestȱ
andȱtheȱgloriousȱvictorsȱcomeȱhomeȱfromȱthisȱworld,ȱtheȱangelsȱcomeȱtoȱ
meetȱandȱtoȱwelcomeȱthem.ȱTheȱgloriousȱreceptionȱtheȱangelsȱprepareȱ
forȱ theȱ martyrsȱ provesȱ theirȱ loveȱ forȱ thoseȱ whoȱ haveȱ sacrificedȱ theirȱ
livesȱ forȱ Christ’sȱ sake;ȱ theyȱ mayȱ nowȱ enterȱ theȱ filesȱ ofȱ theȱ celestialȱ
choirsȱ andȱ participateȱ inȱ theirȱ bliss.ȱ Receptionȱ andȱ honoursȱ inȱ heavenȱ
canȱonlyȱbeȱdescribedȱinȱhumanȱterms.ȱThoughȱtheȱangelsȱareȱsuperiorȱ
toȱ theȱ worldlyȱ courseȱ ofȱ events,ȱ nevertheless,ȱ theyȱ (togetherȱ withȱ theȱ
church)ȱcheerfullyȱsympathizeȱwithȱtheȱserviceȱinȱmemoryȱofȱtheȱmarȬ
tyrs:ȱȱ
Now,ȱ allȱ youȱ faithful,ȱ letȱ usȱ honourȱ theȱ memoryȱ ofȱ theȱ saintsȱ whoȱ haveȱ beenȱ
crownedȱ withȱ victory.ȱ Forȱ theyȱ haveȱ becomeȱ aȱ spectacleȱ toȱ angelsȱ andȱ men,ȱ theyȱ
haveȱreceivedȱtheȱcrownȱofȱvictoryȱfromȱChristȱandȱintercedeȱforȱourȱsouls.70ȱ
TheȱFathersȱregardȱmartyrdomȱasȱaȱfightȱofȱcosmicȱdimensions:ȱangelsȱ
andȱdemonsȱparticipateȱinȱit.ȱTheȱangelsȱwhoȱprotectȱandȱsupportȱmanȱ
duringȱ hisȱ lifetimeȱ andȱ whoȱ takeȱ careȱ thatȱ theȱ faithfulȱ entrustedȱ toȱ
themȱwillȱbeȱrescued,ȱgiveȱcourageȱandȱperseveranceȱtoȱtheȱmartyrsȱbyȱ
theirȱpresence.ȱTheyȱareȱreadyȱtoȱcarryȱtheirȱsoulsȱintoȱGod’sȱgloryȱafterȱ
theirȱvictory.ȱȱ

9.ȱWorshippingȱAngelsȱ

Theȱ 7thȱ Oecumenicalȱ Councilȱ ofȱNicaeaȱ(787)ȱ 71ȱ condemnedȱ iconoclastsȱ

andȱ defendedȱ theȱ worshipȱ ofȱ saintsȱ andȱ angelsȱ inȱ iconsȱ andȱ prayers.ȱ
Theȱ Fathersȱ ofȱ theȱ Councilȱ praiseȱ theȱ philanthropicȱ angelsȱ whoȱ bringȱ
men’sȱprayersȱbeforeȱGod,ȱwhoȱintercedeȱforȱthemȱandȱpassȱGod’sȱfaȬ
voursȱonȱtoȱmen.ȱTheyȱdeduceȱtheȱreasonȱforȱworshippingȱangelsȱandȱ
saintsȱ fromȱ theȱ doctrineȱ ofȱ intercession.ȱ Worshipping,ȱ theȱ ȺǏǎılj‫ܡ‬njdžıLjǐ,ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
70ȱȱ Troparionȱ ofȱ theȱ martyrsȱ onȱ Mondayȱ morningȱ beforeȱ theȱ 7thȱ Sundayȱ beforeȱ Easter;ȱ
Triodionȱ37.ȱ
71ȱȱ Theȱ Empressȱ Ireneȱ summonedȱ theȱ Councilȱ inȱ 787ȱ inȱ Nicaeaȱ (todayȱ Gznik/Turkey).ȱ
Concerningȱtheȱcontroversyȱregardingȱicons,ȱitȱallowedȱtoȱvenerate,ȱbutȱnotȱtoȱadoreȱ
them.ȱ Substantially,ȱ itȱ followedȱ theȱ argumentsȱ ofȱ Johannesȱ ofȱ Damascusȱ an.ȱ Theȱ
iconoclasticȱCouncilȱofȱHiereiaȱinȱ754ȱwasȱdeclaredȱinvalid.ȱTheȱCouncilȱofȱNicaeaȱisȱ
consideredȱ asȱ theȱ 7thȱ Oecumenicalȱ Councilȱ withȱ theȱ Catholicȱ andȱ theȱ Orthodoxȱ
Church;ȱ Protestantsȱ doȱ notȱ agreeȱ inȱ theirȱ estimationȱ ofȱ itsȱ decrees.ȱ Orthodoxȱ
Churchesȱcelebrateȱtheȱ1stȱSundayȱofȱLentȱinȱmemoryȱofȱthisȱCouncilȱ(“Sundayȱofȱtheȱ
Orthodoxy”ȱorȱ“SundayȱofȱHolyȱIcons”).ȱ–ȱCf.ȱUphus,ȱDerȱHorosȱdesȱZweitenȱKonzilsȱ
vonȱNizäaȱ787.ȱ

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690ȱ MichaelȱErnstȱ

thatȱtheȱmostȱextremeȱkindȱofȱreverenceȱwhichȱwasȱallowedȱtoȱmenȱinȱ
antiqueȱhomages,ȱisȱdueȱtoȱtheȱangels.ȱWorshippingȱtheirȱimagesȱrefersȱ
toȱtheȱangelsȱthemselves,ȱi.e.ȱtoȱtheȱoriginal.ȱThisȱworshipȱisȱtoȱbeȱdisȬ
tinguishedȱfromȱtheȱadorationȱ(NJĮIJǏİ‫ܝ‬Į)ȱwhichȱisȱreservedȱforȱGodȱonly.ȱ
TheȱangelsȱareȱGod’sȱmostȱtrustyȱfriends;ȱtheyȱareȱstandingȱbyȱhisȱ
throne,ȱ andȱ heȱ hasȱ decoratedȱ themȱ withȱ love,ȱ holiness,ȱ andȱ might.ȱ
Whoeverȱpraysȱforȱtheirȱhelp,ȱorȱasksȱforȱtheirȱintercessoryȱprayer,ȱworȬ
shipsȱ themȱ becauseȱ heȱ acknowledgesȱ theirȱ prerogatives.ȱ Thusȱ inȱ theȱ
beginningȱofȱeveryȱweekȱtheȱfaithfulȱcommendȱthemselvesȱtoȱtheirȱproȬ
tection:ȱMondayȱisȱtheȱdayȱofȱrememberingȱthem.ȱInȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱ
ecclesiasticalȱ yearȱ festivalsȱ ofȱ angelsȱ areȱ celebratedȱ repeatedly.72ȱ Theȱ
faithfulȱ populationȱ perceptiblyȱ expressedȱ itsȱ venerationȱ byȱ choosingȱ
angelsȱ asȱ patronsȱ ofȱ theirȱ churches.ȱ Churchesȱ namedȱ afterȱ angelsȱ areȱ
consecratedȱtoȱGod;ȱtheyȱbearȱtheȱangels’ȱnamesȱasȱGodȱgivesȱblessingȱ
becauseȱofȱtheirȱintercessoryȱprayer.ȱAsȱtheȱhistorianȱProkopiosȱtellsȱus,ȱ
alreadyȱ theȱ Emperorȱ Justinianusȱ (527Ȭ565)ȱ erectedȱ sixȱ churchesȱ ofȱ St.ȱ
Michael,ȱ andȱ easternȱ architectureȱ testifiesȱ thatȱ otherȱ Christianȱ rulersȱ
didȱnotȱfallȱshortȱofȱhim.ȱ
TheȱworshipȱofȱangelsȱisȱembeddedȱinȱtheȱentireȱattitudeȱandȱpracȬ
ticeȱ ofȱ faithȱ inȱ theȱ Orthodoxȱ Churchȱ whichȱ regardsȱ Godȱ aloneȱ asȱ theȱ
originȱ ofȱ everythingȱ thatȱ isȱ good;ȱ heȱ operatesȱ throughȱ hisȱ creatures.ȱ
Holyȱ Scriptureȱ offersȱ manifoldȱ testimonyȱ ofȱ theȱ angels’ȱ highȱ esteem.ȱ
Jesusȱ himselfȱ commandsȱ toȱ respectȱ theȱ littleȱ onesȱ byȱ referringȱ toȱ theȱ
angelsȱ whoȱ “continuallyȱ seeȱ theȱ faceȱ ofȱ myȱ fatherȱ inȱ heaven”ȱ (Mattȱ
18:10).ȱ Theȱ Fathersȱ agree:ȱ Godȱ alone,ȱ theȱ trinitaryȱ andȱ theȱ triune,ȱ deȬ
servesȱadoration;ȱtheyȱcondemnȱanyȱidolatrousȱcultȱofȱangels,ȱbutȱtheyȱ
standȱupȱforȱveneratingȱtheȱangelsȱandȱtheȱsaints:ȱTheȱangelsȱteachȱusȱtoȱ
honourȱandȱadoreȱnotȱthem,ȱbutȱonlyȱGodȱwhoȱisȱaboveȱall…ȱYouȱseeȱhowȱtheyȱ
rejectȱveneration;ȱbutȱtoȱadoreȱtheȱlordȱofȱtheȱuniverseȱ–ȱthisȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱpreȬ
vent.ȱTheyȱteachȱusȱthatȱitȱisȱnotȱappropriateȱinȱliturgicalȱcelebrationȱtoȱofferȱ
sacrificeȱtoȱthemȱwhoȱareȱruledȱbyȱGod,ȱbutȱratherȱtoȱtheȱLord.73ȱ
ȱ
ȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
72ȱȱ Seeȱabove.ȱ
73ȱȱ CyrillȱofȱAlexandria,ȱ4.ȱep.ȱ1ȱ[PGȱ76,ȱ689ȱA.ȱC.ȱD.].ȱ

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Brought to you by | Nanyang Technological University

Authenticated
Download Date | 6/8/15 11:34 AM