Why do the angels rejoice when the faithful gather together?

Origen says, “And a place of prayer, the spot where believers assemble together, is likely to have something gracious to help us, since angelic powers are placed near the throngs of believers, as well as the powers of our Lord and Savior Himself, and the spirits of the saints— I think both of those who have already fallen asleep and clearly of those who are still alive, even though it is not easy to say how. Concerning angels, we must reason this way. Suppose the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them (Ps. 34:7); and suppose Jacob tells the truth not only about himself but also about all those who rely on God when he says to the understanding person, “The angel who delivers me from all these evils” (Gen. 48:16). It is likely, then, that when a great number of people are assembled genuinely for the glory of Christ, each one’s angel, who is around those who fear Him, encamps with that man whom he is believed to guard and order. As a result, when the saints are gathered together, there is a double Church, one of men and the other of angels.”⁶⁶⁷

He again says, “I have no doubt that the angels are in the midst of our gatherings, not only in the collective church but also in every individual church, in every church that has those who were spoken about that, ‘their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven’ (Matt 18:10). Therefore, we have a twofold church here, one of humans and the other of angels. If what we are saying is logical and is in line with Scripture, so the angels rejoice and pray alongside us. Since the angels are in the church, meaning in the church that deserves their presence, it is appropriate then for women who are praying to cover their heads because of the angels (1 Cor 11:10).”

St. Anthony speaks of heavenly providence saying, “When you close the doors of your dwelling and are alone, you should know that there is present with you the angel whom God has appointed for each man; the Greeks call him the personal daemon. This angel, who is sleepless and cannot be deceived, is always present with you; he sees all things and is not hindered by darkness. You should know, too, that with him is God, who is in every place; for

666 Ibid. 5, 4. See also Hom. in Num ., 11.5; Hom. in Lev ., 9.8. Hilary has this testimony to give: “There is positive grounds to the teaching ( auctoritas absoluta ) that the angels preside over the prayers of the faithful. They offer to God every day the prayers of those who have been saved” ( Comm. in Matt ., 18.5). See also Tract. Ps. 129.

667 Origen, “On Prayer” in Origen, An Exhortation to Martyrdom: Prayer, First Principles: Book IV, Prologue to the Commentary on the Song of Songs, Homily XXVII on Numbers , trans. Rowan A. Greer (NY: Paulist Press, 1979) 31.5: p. 166–167.

there is no place and nothing material in which God is not, since He is greater than all things and holds all men in His hand.”⁶⁶⁸

668 St. Anthony the Great, “On the Character of Men and on the Virtuous Life” (attributed to St. Anthony) in The Philokalia: The Complete Text, Volume I , trans., G. E. H. Palmer et al., eds., Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, and Makarios of Corinth (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1979) 329–356; 62: p. 338.