Patriarch of Romania: The Holy Angels reflect God’s glory and proclaim it to humans

Aurelian Iftimiu – Basilica News Agency – November 2016

All angels are full of light; all heavenly bodiless powers are full of light; but this light comes from God’s glory, the Patriarch of Romania said to the faithful present in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, on the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, celebrated Tuesday, 8 November 2016.

On the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and of the other Bodiless Powers, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, presided over the Divine Liturgy. His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, concelebrated.

In his homily, His Beatitude referred to the significance of the feast day.

The month of November is the third month in the church calendar and the ninth month from the feast of Annunciation. In this ninth month, we celebrate the Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of this month symbolises eternity, for the holy archangels and all the heavenly bodiless powers are heralds and ministrants of the eternal God.

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel went on and explained that the angels are ministering spirits of God who proclaim His glory to humans.

The bodiless powers are ministering spirits of the eternal God and reveal themselves as flame of fire, because they are full of light. All angels are full of light; all heavenly bodiless powers are full of light; but this light comes from God’s glory. This is the uncreated light of the grace of the Most Holy Trinity, which is poured out upon all creation. However, the first receivers of the divine light are the holy angels, who reflect this glory and proclaim it to humans.

Furthermore, the Patriarch of Romania explained that Orthodox iconography represents Archangel Michael holding the sword of justice.

Referring to Archangel Gabriel, His Beatitude said:

The Holy Archangel Gabriel announces joy and blessing, the joy that God gives to humans. He is represented as a herald of joy, holding a white lily in his hand. This is a sign of purity and innocence. Archangel Gabriel is the patron saint of the family and of mothers. He is the angel who brings joy to the faithful, when they fulfil the will of God.

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