Guardian angel beeswax icon

The beeswax icon is hand-carved with great attention to details. The guardian angel is depicted with two children, a boy and a girl, whom he instructs and protects. His clothing is inscribed with the angelic hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty".

The word "angel" (άγγγελος) translates from ancient Greek as "messenger", or "herald". According to Orthodox theological tradition, angels are creations of God and are counted among the invisible beings of "the Creator of heaven and earth; of all things visible and invisible." In the Old Testament, in the Book of Job, it is mentioned that angels were created before the rest of the world: "the morning stars sang together, and all the Angels shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). They have spiritual bodies, unseen by the eye, but take on human form in order to fulfill the commandments of God or convey messages to people.

According to the tradition of the Church, every Christian has a personal guardian angel, who is assigned to him at the time of his Holy Baptism. The angel guides and assists in facing life's difficulties, protecting the soul from temptation and supporting it in times of spiritual struggle. The more challenging the struggle, the stronger the presence of our angel is felt, and the more we sin, the farther he distances himself and grieves. The Guardian Angel knows not only our actions, but also our thoughts. He accompanies a person throughout their life, and stands by them in the most difficult hour - the hour of death. When the soul is separated from the body, it is accompanied by its guardian angel and the other heavenly powers, who lead it into eternal blessedness if it is virtuous.