Feast Day: November 8th
About the Orders of the Holy Angels of God: The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies. Each Heavenly Power is an Angel, but they have their own name and position according to the virtue of their service to God. God reveals His Divine Will to the Highest Ranks of the Angels who in turn inform the other Angels of the lower ranks. The Highest Hierarchy includes the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Middle Hierarchy are the Dominions, Powers and Authorities. The Lowest Hierarchy consist of the Principalities, Archangels and Angels…
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Prayers
Apolytikion: Let us praise Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones, Powers, Authorities and Principalities, Dominions, Archangels and Angels, for they are the Bodiless Ministers of the Un-originate Trinity, and revealers of Incomprehensible Mysteries. Glory to Him Who has given you being; Glory to Him Who has given you Light; glory to Him Who is praised by you in Thrice-Holy hymns.
Troparion: Commanders of the Heavenly Hosts, we who are unworthy beseech you, by your Prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your Immaterial Glory, and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you: “Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on High!”
Kontakion: Chief Commanders of God’s Armies and Ministers of the Divine Glory, Princes of the Bodiless Angels and Guides of Men, ask what is good for us and Great Mercy, as Chief Commanders of the Bodiless Powers.
Oikos: You said in the Scriptures, Immortal Lover of humanity, that in Heaven multitudes of Angels rejoice over one human being who repents. Therefore, O Sinless One, Who alone know the heart, we in our lawlessness dare each day to implore You, the Compassionate, to take pity on us, Master, and send us compunction, though we are unworthy, and pardon our sins, at the intercession for us all, of the Chief Captains of the Bodiless Hosts.
The Heavenly Hosts are the Holy Angels of God: the Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, Angels.
There were originally 10 Ranks of Holy Angels, Lucifer being the leader of one of those. Monastics now take the place of the 10th Rank of Angels, for they live like Angels in the flesh, because of their way of life and closeness to God.
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Icon of Our Lord Jesus Christ Enthroned with Holy Angels
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About The Cherubic Hymn: An offertory Hymn sung during the transfer of the Bread and Wine to the Altar, the Cherubic Hymn invokes the Eternal Liturgy of the Angels who encircle the Throne of God…
“Let us who Mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the Thrice Holy Hymn to the Life-Giving Trinity, now lay aside all Earthly cares that we may receive the King of All. Invisibly escorted by the Angelic Orders, Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia.”
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Saint Iakovos Tsalikis could see the presence of the Angels.
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Saint Moses the Ethiopian received courage from the Angels
It happened that Abba Moses was struggling with the temptation of fornication. Unable to stay any longer in the Cell, he went and told Abba Isidore. The old man exhorted him to return to his Cell. But he refused, saying, ‘Abba, I cannot.’ Then Abba Isidore took Moses out onto the terrace and said to him, ‘Look towards the West.’ He looked and saw hordes of demons flying about and making a noise before launching an attack. Then Abba Isidore said to him, ‘Look towards the East.’ He turned and saw an innumerable multitude of Holy Angels shining with Glory. Abba Isidore said, ‘See, these are sent by the Lord to the Saints to bring them help, while those in the West fight against them. Those who are with us are more in number than they are.’ Then Abba Moses gave thanks to God, plucked up courage, and returned to his cell.
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“When a child smiles in a dream, an Angel plays with him.” – Saint Seraphim of Sarov
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