2716 North Dobson Road Chandler, AZ 85224 (480) 899-3330
Rev. Fr. Philip S. Armstrong, Presbyter
2716 N. Dobson Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 899-3330
(Located South of Elliot Rd on Dobson Rd)
Church e-mail : office@st-katherine.org
Email Fr. Phil : priest@st-katherine.org
Summer Office hours:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Closed from 12:00 to 1:00pm for lunch.
Inquirer’s Classes Offered (Contact our Church Office).
Sunday Service Schedule:
8:30 AM Orthos
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Chandler AZ 85224
For 12-16-18
CHURCH EVENTS/ NEWS
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(Sunday Bulletins posted to Website by Saturday 2 PM)
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MESSAGE FROM FATHER
“Our Relationship with Angels”
On November 8th of each year the Church places before us for our commemoration the feast day of the Synaxis of
the Archangels Gabriel and Michael and all the Heavenly Hosts. This is the main day in which we are called to
remember them. There are other lesser feast days in which we commemorate a miracle or divine intervention by a
particular angel. However, November 8th is their main celebration. Christians have always been intrigued with
angels. Christian and non-Christian literature has been filled with stories about angels, both fiction and non-
fiction. We are curious about who they are and what they do. What does the Church teach us regarding these
divine spirits? The Holy Fathers teach us that all the angels were created at one time. This occurred when God
created the stars (Gen. 1). It is interesting to note that the Church identifies the “Star of Bethlehem” to be an angel.
Why did the Church surmise this? Stars travel the trajectory of the earth’s rotation with respect to the sun, from
east to west. The Star of Bethlehem traveled north to south. The star’s primary purpose was to guide the
wisemen to the birthplace of the Son of God. This is what angels do. Isaiah 14:12-15 brings to our attention that
there was a rebellion in heaven. An angel by the name of Lucifer considered himself equal to God. In his defense
he led one third of the angels (Rev. 12:4) to rebel against the Life-giving Holy Trinity. Archangel Michael and his
angelic army defeated and cast out Lucifer and his follower angels. We, now, call Lucifer Satan (“adversary”) and
the fallen angels demons. Another word for Satan is Diavolos (“accuser”). They were cast out to the abyss and the
aerial realm just above the earth. Obviously, we do not commemorate them. They are not worthy of such. What
else do we know about the angels? Firstly, they are bodiless spirits. They do not have a human body because they
are not human. They are asexual; they are not male or female. In their spirit bodies they do have shape and form.
They are able to know our thoughts. Demons do not know our thoughts. What is the primary purpose of angels?
Their primary purpose is to serve God. They are His messengers and are assigned the function to guide and
protect us. Are they organized? Yes. There are nine ranks of the angels-Seraphim, Cherubim, godly thrones,
Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and angels. Each has a specific duty or function. The
Prologue from Ochrid, Vol. 4 notes that “among the angels there rules a perfect unity of mind, of soul and love; of
total obedience of the lesser powers to the greater and of all to the holy will of God. Each nation has a guardian
angel as does each individual Christian” (pg. 171). How many archangels are there? Seven.
They are the leaders of the heavenly powers. Their names are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel,
Jegudiel, and Barachiel (P.F.O. pg. 172-3). All the angels are holy. This is why it is appropriate to call them
saints (for saints are those that are holy). Angels who have appeared do have wings. Such are the things we
know about angels. Can we know the angels and have relationships with them? The answer is an unequivocal
“yes”. Our relationship with our “guardian angel” begins at baptism. He is bestowed to us during this Holy
Mystery. He is constantly with us guiding and protecting us. He, especially works through our conscience to reveal
what is good and pleasing to God and to make us feel uncomfortable when being tempted to do evil. We can
develop a deeper sense of his presence as our prayer life matures. The Church has prayers dedicated to our
guardian angel and a special service called the “Canon to our Guardian Angel”. These are, especially, helpful in
developing our relationship with angels. On a less formal level, we should remind ourselves that the angels are
always present with us. The saints encourage us to talk to our angels. The night time is especially conducive for
this. Their help and intervention is only a call away. In closing, let us endeavor to reacquaint ourselves with the
angels. They are our spiritual allies. May they assist us in our efforts to live lives pleasing to God.
In Christ’s love,
+Fr. Phil
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