Who Are the Angels?

An introduction to the nature and ministry of the holy angels in the Orthodox tradition.

The holy angels are spiritual beings created by God before the visible world. They are pure spirits — personal, intelligent, and immortal — who live in the presence of God and serve Him continually.

The word “angel” means messenger. Throughout Scripture we see the angels carrying out God’s will: announcing glad tidings, protecting the faithful, guiding the people of God, and executing divine judgment. They are not distant or abstract forces. They are living persons who love God and serve those who will inherit salvation.

The Orthodox Church teaches that the angels were created good. Some, however, turned away from God through pride. These are the fallen angels, or demons. The majority remained faithful and continue in their ministry of worship and service.

Angels are not to be worshipped. Worship belongs to God alone. But they are to be honored as the faithful servants of the Most High and as our fellow members of the one Church — the Church in heaven and the Church on earth. In every Divine Liturgy we join our voices with theirs, singing the thrice-holy hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth…”

The presence of the angels is a quiet but constant reality in Orthodox life. They stand with us in prayer, they accompany us in the Mysteries, and they watch over the faithful. To remember the angels is to remember that we live our Christian life in the presence of a great cloud of unseen witnesses who serve the same Lord we serve.