Angels in the Eastern Church

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How are the Angels (Archangels, Guardian Angels, etc.) viewed in the Eastern Church? What prayers and devotions are there and when are they used?
Thanks,
FKC
 
futureKC123 said:
+JMJ+
How are the Angels (Archangels, Guardian Angels, etc.) viewed in the Eastern Church? What prayers and devotions are there and when are they used?
Thanks,
FKC
Click to expand...
There really aren’t any angelic “devotions” per se in the Eastern Church. The Archangels Michael and Gabriel figure prominently on the iconostasis, usually on the deacons doors. The Archangels are celebrated collectively on the Synaxis of the Archangels.

St. Dionysius the Areopagite provides much information on the angels. I believe his Celestial Hierarchy is especially helpful here.
 
Don’t forget the Cherubikon sung at the Great Entrance, which is somewhat equivalent to the offertory in the Roman Mass. The hymn joins the people in the Church with the choirs of angels escorting the bread and wine to the altar to be consecrated into the body and blood of Christ.
 
Prayers to the Guardian Angel

O angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from heaven, enlighten me this day, and save me from all evil. Instruct me in doing good deeds, and set me on the path of salvation. Amen.

O Angel of Christ, my holy Guardian and Protector of my soul and body, forgive me all my sins of today. Deliver me from all the wiles of the enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest present me worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints. Amen.

O Holy Angel, interceding for my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor shrink from me for my intemperance. Give no place for the subtle demon to master me through the violence of my mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation. O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched body and soul, forgive me for all the insults I have given thee every day of my life, and for whatever sins I may have committed during the past night. Protect me during the present day, and guard me from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may strengthen me in His fear, and make me, His slave, worthy of His goodness. Amen.

MONDAY
Commemoration of the Holy Angels.
Troparion: Supreme Leaders of the Heavenly Hosts, we implore you that by your prayers you will encircle us, unworthy as we are, with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory, and guard us who fall down I before you and fervently cry: Deliver us from dangers, for you are the commanders of the Powers above.

Kontakion: Supreme Leaders 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 Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.
 
CANON
To the Guardian Angel
Troparion: O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by Thee, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: O holy Lady, Mother of our God, thou didst amazingly bear the Creator of all: with my Guardian Angel always pray His kindness to save my soul inhibited and bound by passions, and grant me remission of sins.

Canon, tone 8.
Song 1.
Eirmos: Let us sing to the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone has triumphed gloriously.

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Troparia:

Grant me, Thy servant, O Saviour, worthily to sing a song and to praise the fleshless Angel, my Guide and Guardian.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

I lay alone in folly and idleness, O my Guide and Guardian; forsake not me who am perishing.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Guide my mind by thy prayer to fulfil the commandments of God, and to receive from God remission of sins, and teach me to hate all wickedness, I pray thee.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: With my Guardian Angel, O Virgin, pray for me thy servant to the Bountiful One, and teach me to fulfill the commandments of thy Son and my Creator.

Song 3.
Eirmos: Thou art the strengthening of all who come to Thee, O Lord, Thou art the Light of those in darkness, and my spirit sings of Thee.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

All my thoughts and my soul I have committed to thee, O my Guardian; deliver me from all attacks of the enemy.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

The enemy troubles and tramples on me, and teaches me to follow my own desires; but, O my Guide, forsake not the dying.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Grant me to sing with thanksgiving and fervour to my Creator and God, and to thee my good Angel Guardian: O my deliverer, rescue me from foes that trouble me.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Heal, O immaculate one, the most painful wounds of my soul, and drive away the enemies ever fighting against me.

Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Sedalion: From the love of my soul I cry to thee, O Guardian of my soul, my most holy Angel! Protect and guard me always from the hunting of the evil one, and guide me to the heavenly life; teach me and enlighten me and strengthen me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, who gavest birth without seed to the Lord of all, pray Him with my Guardian Angel to deliver me from all doubt, and to give to my soul feeling and light, and to cleanse me from sin, for thou alone art a quick defender.

Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works, and glorify Thy divine nature.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

Pray to God the Lover of men, and leave me not, O my Guardian, but ever keep my life in peace, and grant me the invincible salvation.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

As the defender and guardian of my life I received thee from God, O Angel. I pray thee, O holy one, free me from all harm.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Cleanse my foulness by thy holiness, O my Guardian, and may I be drawn from the left side by thy prayers, and become a partaker of glory.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Perplexity confronts me through the evil surrounding me, O immaculate one, but deliver me from it speedily, for I run only to thee.

Song 5.
Eirmos: Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord; save us, for Thou art our God, and other than Thee we know none.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

As thou hast boldness towards God, my holy Guardian, pray Him to deliver me from the evils which offend me.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

O radiant light, make radiant my soul, my Guide and Guardian Angel, given me by God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Keep me awake who sleep from the burden of my sins, O Angel of God, and by thy prayers raise me up to glorify Him.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: O Lady Mary, Virgin Mother of God, O hope of the faithful, subdue the attacks of the enemy, and to those who sing to thee give joy.
 
Song 6.
Eirmos: Grant me a garment of Light, O Thou Who wrappest Thyself in Light for a garment, most merciful Christ our God.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

Deliver me from every misfortune and accident and save me from sorrow, I pray, O holy Angel, given to me as my good Guardian by God.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Enlighten my mind, O good one, and illumine me, I pray thee, O holy Angel, and teach me to think always positively and profitably.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Calm my heart from present disturbance, and strengthen me to be awake to the good, O my Guardian, and guide me miraculously in quietness of life.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: The Word of God dwelt in thee, O Mother of God, and showed thee to men as the heavenly ladder. For by thee the Most High descended to us.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion: Have compassion on me, O holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, and leave me not, impure as I am, but irradiate me with the Divine Light, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Oekos: Grant my soul, humiliated by many temptations, the ineffable Heavenly Glory, O holy intercessor and singer with the Choirs of fleshless Powers of God. Have mercy and keep me, and illumine my soul with good thoughts, that I may be enriched by thy glory, O my Angel; subdue my foes who wish me evil, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from Judea, the children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

Have mercy and pray for me, O Angel of the Lord, for I have thee as my defender for the whole of my life, the Guide and Guardian, given me by God forever.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Let not my sinful pilgrim soul, given thee chaste by God, be murdered by robbers, O Holy Angel, but lead it to the way of repentance.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

My whole soul is disgraced by evil thoughts and acts, but make haste, O my Guide, and grant me healing with good thoughts, that I may always follow the right way.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

To Jesus: Fill with wisdom and divine strength all who cry with faith, through the Mother of God, to Thee, O Personal Wisdom of the Highest: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven, Whom Hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Troparia:

Strengthen the life of thy servant and never leave me, O gracious Angel, sent by God.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

I ever hymn thee, O Good Angel, Guide and Guardian of my soul, most blessed spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Be my Veil and Visor in the Judgment Day of all men, when all deeds, good and evil, will be tried by fire.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Be the help and peace of thy servant, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, and leave me not bereft of thy protection.

Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with Fleshless Choir we magnify thee.

O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Troparia:

Have mercy on me, O my only Saviour, for Thou art merciful and kind-hearted, and make me a member of the Choirs of the Righteous.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Grant me ever to think and do only what is useful, O Angel of the Lord, that I may be undefiled and strong in infirmity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Having boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray Him, with the other Angels, to have mercy on me, wretched as I am.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: O Virgin, who hast great boldness towards Him Who took flesh of thee, deliver me from attachments and grant me forgiveness and salvation by thy prayers.

Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of Christ, I fall down and pray to thee, my holy Guardian, given me from holy Baptism for the protection of my sinful body and soul. By my laziness and bad habits, I have angered thy most pure light, and have driven thee away from me by all my shameful deeds, lies, slanders, envy, condemnation, scorn, disobedience, brotherly-hatred, grudges, love of money, adultery, anger, meanness, greed, excess, talkativeness, negative and evil thoughts, proud ways, dissolute madness, having self-will in all the desires of the flesh. O my evil will, which even the dumb animals do not follow! How canst thou look at me or approach me who am like a stinking dog? With what eyes, O Angel of Christ, wilt thou look at me so badly snared in evil deeds? How can I ask forgiveness for my bitter, evil and wicked deeds, into which I fall every day and night, and every hour? But I fall down and pray, O my holy Guardian: pity me, thy sinful and unworthy servant (Name). Be my helper and protector against my wicked enemy, by thy holy prayers, and make me a partaker of the Kingdom of God with all the Saints, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
 
And of course, every Monday in the Byzantine Rite is devoted to the holy angels.

Jeff
 
Madaglan said:
There really aren’t any angelic “devotions” per se in the Eastern Church. The Archangels Michael and Gabriel figure prominently on the iconostasis, usually on the deacons doors. The Archangels are celebrated collectively on the Synaxis of the Archangels.

St. Dionysius the Areopagite provides much information on the angels. I believe his Celestial Hierarchy is especially helpful here.
Click to expand...
How can you say this? 🤷 The Orthodox dedicate every Monday to the angels. There are plenty of devotions to the angels in the Eastern Church as others have so nicely posted.
 
Yes, the Angelic Choirs of Heaven are celebrated greatly in the Eastern Church. There are all kinds of canons and akathists to the Angels that one may pray in Church or in private.

The Byzantine tradition honours seven Archangels but the Old Rite Orthodox honour nine Archangels. All honour nine choirs of Angels and the feastday of the Angels was established on November 8th - November because this used to be the ninth month “Novem” honouring the nine choirs and “8” because this is the “last day” when Christ will return, heralded by the Angels.

Eastern Christians should pray the canon to their Guardian Angel daily and veneration for one’s GA is great in the East. Iconography also celebrates the angels’ presence in the Church as their icons are everywhere.

The namesake patron whose name we carry is also called our “Guardian Angel” and our namesday is sometimes referred to as the “day of our angel.” Both our namesday patron and our Guardian Angel are our most intimate intercessors in heaven.

There is also the practice of fasting, especially in Lent, on Mondays in honour of the “Bodiless Powers of Heaven.”

Alex
 
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