The Angels and Man
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in this lecture addresses the nature of angels, their multiple attributes and varied functions: angels of praise and angels of service, and explains their continuous relationship with man and their role in salvation and theological history.
Characteristics and functions of the angels
Angels are luminous, holy, powerful spirits, famous for immediate obedience to execute God’s command without debate, and they perform works of protection, rescue, guidance, proclamation and sometimes punishment and warning. They have many ranks and orders (seraphim, cherubim, powers…) and Michael stands out as the chief of the angels who guards and fights the devil.
Biblical examples of their work
The lecture cites biblical stories: the rescue of Daniel from the lion’s den, Peter’s release from prison, the striking of hundreds of thousands of Sennacherib’s army, the angels in the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Resurrection, and the angels of the final coming who sort the righteous from the wicked.
Their appearance and relationship with humans
Angels sometimes appear in human form and they surround the church and the altar; they respond to people’s prayers and ascend and descend carrying the petitions of the penitent. They are companions of believers in the spiritual journey and may be a cause of comfort, joy or fear depending on the state of those who perceive them.
Spiritual warning and discernment of spirits
The Pope clarifies that the devil can disguise himself as an angel of light to deceive people, so saints and the wise must discern and not be dazzled by apparitions without firmness. He also states that angels possess beauty and power but they differ from humans in their spiritual nature.
Human nature compared to angels
Man is composed of body, spirit, soul and conscience; the conscience is fallible and affected by knowledge, culture and emotion. Conscience should not be equated with the absolute voice of God; the Holy Spirit enlightens the conscience and the mind to fix the person in truth.
Practical and spiritual exhortation
The exhortation is to make use of the angels’ presence through prayer and to ask for protection and guidance, to cultivate conscience and mind by the Holy Spirit, and to be aware that the human spirit has great energies that must be employed for holiness and not deception.
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