The Guardian Angel

The Orthodox Church teaches that at holy baptism God gives every Christian a personal Guardian Angel, who stays beside him for his whole life, guarding him from evil, helping him do good, praying for him before God and accompanying his soul after death. Christ Himself said of the little ones that "their angels always behold the face of My Father in heaven" (Matt 18:10), and the Psalm promises, "He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Orthodox Christians call on their Guardian Angel every morning and evening in the prayer "O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian," asking forgiveness for having grieved him and help against sin. The Guardian Angel is honored with all the heavenly powers at the Synaxis of 8 November. That is why the Guardian Angel stands beside the patron saint in the traditional folding icon: the two heavenly companions given at baptism.

The Orthodox Church has no separate feast of Guardian Angels; they are honored at the Synaxis of 8 November. The Catholic feast of the Holy Guardian Angels on 2 October is Western. Russian piety pairs the Guardian Angel with the patron saint (hence the diptych), and teaches that the angel is given at baptism; some writers say at birth.