The concept of Holy angel in Christianity
Holy angel refers to celestial beings characterized by moral perfection and dedicated to God's purposes. In Christianity, they accompany the Son of Man during his glorious return, assisting in judgment and providing divine recognition. They serve as guardians and messengers, guiding and supporting individuals on their spiritual journeys, while contrasting with fallen angels. Holy angels are essential in witnessing human actions, affirming faith, and participating in the divine order essential for righteousness and spiritual fulfillment.
Synonyms: Divine spirit, Celestial being, Seraph, Cherub, Guardian spirit, Heavenly host, Archangel, Heavenly spirit, Guardian angel
In Malay: Malaikat suci; In Dutch: Heilige Engel; In Spanish: Santo ángel; In Swedish: Helig ängel; In German: Heiliger Engel; In Finnish: Pyhä enkeli; In French: Saint ange
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Holy angel'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) These are the celestial beings that were present during Mary's departure, and are associated with peace and joy.[1] (2) These are spiritual beings associated with goodness, who will guide someone to paradise, representing divine guidance.[2] (3) This phrase refers to the assessors on the right and on the left, who are like the holy angels, by whom the Church is always governed and defended.[3] (4) These are celestial beings, and the text suggests their association with the God of all things.[4] (5) The holy angels are mentioned in the text, specifically Raphael, who offers praise and assistance to those who demonstrate faith and good works.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) The phrase references celestial beings associated with the glory of the Father, implying a divine context to the teachings provided in the text.[6]
From: The city of God
(1) This term refers to celestial beings who are considered virtuous and devoted, and their company is desired for reward.[7] (2) This refers to the spiritual beings in the celestial city that the righteous will be with, and are part of eternal life.[8] (3) The text states that it could by no means believe that God's holy angels could at that time have so fallen.[9] (4) The text brings up the holy angels as an example, mentioning that they feel no anger or fear while performing actions similar to those that evoke these emotions in humans.[10] (5) The holy angels are beings who have remained in bliss and whose fellow-citizens are those men embraced by God's grace and granted eternal life.[11]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) This term refers to celestial beings that are united with Christ through perfect charity and clear vision, and who also participate in spiritual eating.[12] (2) These are celestial beings, who are aligned with God and assist in ruling over the actions of demons and the world, with actions that are not subject to human control.[13] (3) These are the good angels, and the text explains that the demons may receive revelation from them, while not agreeing with them in the conformity of will, but by their likeness of intellectual nature.[14] (4) Spiritual beings that are incorporeal, filling a physical space, as a point of reference for understanding the nature of incorporeal entities in a place.[15] (5) These are included in the love of our neighbor, as we share in the blessings of everlasting life, and are considered companions in the friendship of charity.[16]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) Celestial beings that offer guidance and instruction to the friars, serving as divine intermediaries.[17]
From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi
(1) Spiritual beings who serve God, referenced in the context of divine majesty and judgment.[18]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) Celestial beings who serve the divine, representing the pinnacle of creation, and who are not servants of any being other than the divine creator.[19]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) These are the celestial beings before whom names will be confessed if written in the book of life, highlighting the divine recognition and acceptance.[20] (2) Beings who will attend the Son of Man when He comes in the glory of His Father, signifying His return and judgment.[21] (3) This refers to a person who is with the Father, where Christ will confess the name of the victor, and show his loving relationship.[22] (4) These beings will be with the Son of Man when He comes in His glory, gathering around the enthroned Judge, similar to how followers clustered around Him when He spoke.[23] (5) Heavenly beings that are part of divine recognition and judgment, witnessing human actions.[24]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) Denotes angels that are morally perfect and set apart for God's purposes.[25] (2) Angels associated with God and the righteous, indicating an existence of purity and goodness.[26]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) These are the angels who will come with the Son of man in his glory, and with his Father, to reward every man according to his works.[27] (2) These are the beings who will accompany the Son of Man when he comes in his glory, assisting in the judgment of all nations and people.[28]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) Angels who remained faithful to God and are now in a state of sanctity, contrasting with fallen angels.[29]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) Divine beings that provide guidance and support during difficult times.[30]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) This is a creature who, though the most capacious, cannot have a notion of an infinite Being that is fully suitable to his nature unless they were infinite as he himself is.[31] (2) This is a celestial being of pure goodness and righteousness, acting in accordance with divine will, as presented in the context.[32] (3) This term describes the celestial beings who serve God, and the author mentions the comparison to the gift of Christ as a greater act of goodness compared to giving the angels.[33]
From: The Second Helvetic Confession
(1) Those who are present in the sacred place should conduct themselves reverently and modestly, seeing that they are in the presence of God and his holy angels.[34]
From: The Book of the Bee
(1) The beings created by God on the evening of the first day, initially not aware of their own creation.[35] (2) Spiritual beings associated with the divine, often believed to serve God and act as messengers or protectors.[36]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) The divine beings who possess characteristics associated with light and wisdom, playing a key role in spiritual hierarchy.[37] (2) A designation for angels that emphasizes their sanctity and role as messengers of divine will.[38]
The concept of Holy angel in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Holy angel" denotes celestial beings that assist and protect individuals, exemplified in the text where they guide Fursa on his spiritual journey, emphasizing their role in providing spiritual guidance and support.
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) Celestial beings that are believed to assist and protect individuals; in the text, they appear to Fursa to guide him in his spiritual journey.[39]