Quiz: On God, the Creator and Provider

Angels are incorporeal rational beings. They were created before the visible world was brought into existence. However, interpreters differ in their opinions concerning the angels' incorporeality. Some insist on their absolute bodilessness, while others maintain that only God possesses absolute immateriality. In this understanding, angels are called incorporeal only in comparison to our coarse physical bodies. Since angels have no material form, they cannot be seen by our physical eyes. According to Church teaching, there are nine hierarchical orders of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, Angels. The complete assembly of these ranks is called the "Angelic Council". The very word "angel" means "messenger" or "herald", which reflects their primary activity: to proclaim God's commands on earth. In heaven, angels sing praises and glorify God. Unlike humans, angels do not vacillate between good and evil - much less do they sin. They voluntarily submitted their will to God's will, and now it remains firmly established in good through grace. According to the teaching of the Fathers, there exist guardian angels for nations, countries, churches, individual persons. Every Christian has his own guardian angel.