What role does a guardian angel play in our lives? How does he inspire us with the right thoughts? How can we learn to hear them? Sometimes a fleeting thought comes, you don’t pay attention to it right away, and later something happens—you regret not heeding the thought that warned you of the consequences.

What role does a guardian angel play in our lives? How does he inspire us with the right thoughts? How can we learn to hear them? Sometimes a fleeting thought comes, you don’t pay attention to it right away, and later something happens—you regret not heeding the thought that warned you of the consequences. #

Angels are referred to as ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. This is how St. Paul defines them in the Epistle to the Hebrews. The very word “angel” translates to “messenger.” Angels are spirits created by God to carry out His commands and serve both God and humanity. According to Orthodox teaching, there are various “angelic ranks” (types of angels), each tasked with specific missions from God. These ranks are described in detail in the book On the Celestial Hierarchy by St. Dionysius the Areopagite.

The term “guardian angel” does not appear in Scripture, though similar expressions are used. For instance, in the Book of Job, there is mention of an “angel-instructor,” and other passages refer to individuals having their own angel. The Psalter says:

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of “these little ones” (interpreted by Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria as the poor in spirit):

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

In the Acts of the Apostles, there is a story about how, when believers heard the voice of St. Peter at the gate—after he had been imprisoned the previous night—they did not believe it was him but thought it was “his angel.”

There is no systematic teaching about guardian angels among the Church Fathers, but there is a tradition that a guardian angel is assigned to a person at baptism. Notably, in the rite of baptism, there are prayers in which the priest asks God to assign a radiant angel to the newly baptized to protect them.

It is unlikely that one should strive specifically to hear the voice of a guardian angel, as this cannot serve as a firm foundation for a Christian’s actions. Our lives and all our deeds must be grounded in Holy Scripture and the Canons, as set forth in the decrees and acts of the Ecumenical and Local Councils, as well as the rules of the holy apostles and Church Fathers. We have steadfast guides for life—the sacred books—while angelic revelations might be demonic temptations. Demons can disguise themselves as angels of light to deceive and lead believers astray.

The lives of saints contain examples of demons appearing as angels to God’s holy servants to mislead them. St. Paul writes in the Epistle to the Galatians:

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

This rule should guide us: to follow what is revealed in the holy books and approach angelic revelations with caution. Moreover, one should not seek such revelations, as this opens the door for demons to exploit the opportunity to destroy a person.

—Priest Mikhail Rodin