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First published in 1981 and long out of print, The Holy Angels has yet to be surpassed as a comprehensive and comprehensible account of the nature of the angels and their role in our salvation. In layperson's terms, Mother Alexandra presents the essence of everything the Church has to teach us about the angels, beginning with the Old Testament, continuing through the New Testament, and concluding with the Tradition of the Church as expressed in her theology, hymnography, and iconography. For those who long to become better acquainted with these holy servants of God and to understand their role in our lives, this book is a great place to start.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
47 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Mother Alexandra
2 books3 followersThe youngest daughter of King Ferdinand I of Romania, and his consort Queen Marie of Romania.
AKA Ileana of Romania
AKA Ileana, Princess of Romania, 1909-1991
AKA Ileana, Princess of Rumania, 1908-
Foundress of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery, Elwood City, PA
Library of Congress Authorities: Alexandra, Mother, 1909-1991
AKA Ileana of Romania
AKA Ileana, Princess of Romania, 1909-1991
AKA Ileana, Princess of Rumania, 1908-
Foundress of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery, Elwood City, PA
Library of Congress Authorities: Alexandra, Mother, 1909-1991
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 20, 2020
I was recently enjoying one of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season: watching the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Maybe because I planned to begin the book The Holy Angels soon, I noted particularly what a silly depiction of the angelic host this movie offers (as much as I adore the movie). Frank Capra was a brilliant filmmaker, but he clearly did not consult scripture or sound tradition when he created his angel character, Clarence (as endearing as Clarence is). We certainly have a wealth of pop culture interpretations of God’s angels (as well as of the fallen angels), which is probably due to the enduring fascination we have with something that can be so mysterious and difficult to understand. Mother Alexandra, an Orthodox abbess with an incredible personal history, offers an examination of the angels which helps greatly to alleviate misunderstandings about the angels. However, the mystery surrounding them in many ways endures, because (rightly) they cannot be fully understood in this life. But for those with “eyes to see”, this book can be the beginning of a much deeper relationship with God’s heavenly host.
Mother Alexandra offers a straightforward, concise exploration of what can be known about the realms of angels, beginning with the oldest scriptural accounts in the Old and New Testaments, and including deuterocanonical and apocryphal traditions. She even relates a truly strange passage from the Gospel of Bartholomew in which Satan himself explains his own history as an angel who fell from grace. Having provided an exhaustive account of scriptural instances where angels are revealed to humankind in various ways, Mother Alexandra then describes the many ways in which angels are understood and experienced by the Church Fathers and the Saints. She also devotes a chapter to angels in liturgical practice, and one to angels in art. Her writing is not especially emotive or fanciful, yet I found her explanations deeply moving and edifying. I did not expect to gain much more from the book than to learn a bit about the angelic realm. Instead, I found myself both comforted and encouraged in my own spiritual journey when reading about the ways that angels have guided, protected, and comforted those who have come before us. Surprisingly, the book’s straightforward accounts invoke a greater sense of self and the role one plays in recognizing and receiving communication from the bodiless powers. As Mother Alexandra puts it, “How often, I wonder, does our [guardian] angel touch us and seek to give us the gift of discernment-- that skill of understanding and deep perception? But, alas, we are often too dull, impassive, or in too great a hurry to hear the voice of the Spirit.”
One may wonder why Mother Alexandra was moved to write such a thorough work on the angels. Her epilogue provides a beautiful explanation involving her own experience with angels as a young girl, as well as the comfort they brought her in very difficult times later in her life. The Holy Angels is a book not just for those who want to better understand the cherubim, seraphim, or archangels, but a book for anyone who wishes to work towards a richer spiritual life involving the invisible powers whose existence is devoted to doing God’s will, including in the lives of His people.
Mother Alexandra offers a straightforward, concise exploration of what can be known about the realms of angels, beginning with the oldest scriptural accounts in the Old and New Testaments, and including deuterocanonical and apocryphal traditions. She even relates a truly strange passage from the Gospel of Bartholomew in which Satan himself explains his own history as an angel who fell from grace. Having provided an exhaustive account of scriptural instances where angels are revealed to humankind in various ways, Mother Alexandra then describes the many ways in which angels are understood and experienced by the Church Fathers and the Saints. She also devotes a chapter to angels in liturgical practice, and one to angels in art. Her writing is not especially emotive or fanciful, yet I found her explanations deeply moving and edifying. I did not expect to gain much more from the book than to learn a bit about the angelic realm. Instead, I found myself both comforted and encouraged in my own spiritual journey when reading about the ways that angels have guided, protected, and comforted those who have come before us. Surprisingly, the book’s straightforward accounts invoke a greater sense of self and the role one plays in recognizing and receiving communication from the bodiless powers. As Mother Alexandra puts it, “How often, I wonder, does our [guardian] angel touch us and seek to give us the gift of discernment-- that skill of understanding and deep perception? But, alas, we are often too dull, impassive, or in too great a hurry to hear the voice of the Spirit.”
One may wonder why Mother Alexandra was moved to write such a thorough work on the angels. Her epilogue provides a beautiful explanation involving her own experience with angels as a young girl, as well as the comfort they brought her in very difficult times later in her life. The Holy Angels is a book not just for those who want to better understand the cherubim, seraphim, or archangels, but a book for anyone who wishes to work towards a richer spiritual life involving the invisible powers whose existence is devoted to doing God’s will, including in the lives of His people.
December 28, 2025
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about angels, what they are like, what their purpose is, and how they should factor into our spiritual lives, then you will benefit from Mother Alexandra’s treatment of these questions in The Holy Angels. I had the privilege of reviewing this book for Ancient Faith Publishing. Begun before she became a monastic, and first published in 1981, this book is an extensive study of the subject of angels in the Bible and Church Tradition from an Orthodox perspective.
This study is the result of a keen intellect united with an indefatigable spirit. Having covered the breadth of angels in Old Testament times (Book I), and in the New Testament (Book II), Mother Alexandra does not consider bringing her work a close. Instead, she rolls up her sleeves and delves into a survey of angels in the Christian Church (Book III). At nearly 100 pages, this last section discusses the treatment of angels in the Early Christian Fathers, the Age of Orthodox Theology, the Holy Liturgies and Prayers, and Christian art.
Mother Alexandra begins her study with a primer on angels, appropriately called “What Are Angels?” Soon, she provides a concrete definition: “An angel has character, individuality, and a will of his own, much as we have; but in other ways angels do not resemble us. When, to make himself manifest to us, an angel takes on human semblance, he never is physically like a human being, but only a mental image of one.” Here the reader can see the theme she pursues throughout this work, that of the interplay between human and angel, similar in being created by God and endowed with free will, and yet fundamentally different creatures as well. The Old and New Testaments are studded with mystery-filled encounters between angels and humans, where angels serve as guardians and messengers: they deliver visions, they provide a way for Jacob to wrestle with his issues, they help promote God’s plan of deliverance and salvation. By weighing both the OT and NT accounts, Mother Alexandra is able to chart a shift in that relationship between man and angel: “The angels of the Old Testament ordained the law, but once the Lord had himself taken the redress of the world upon his own shoulders, the angels became the friends of man. By the new dispensation of grace and truth, the relationship of Christian and angel to each other becomes so close that at certain times . . . a singular resemblance becomes apparent between them” (162).
If the angels are our friends, then the flip side of that relationship must be considered: the presence of “our bitterest enemies, the angels of darkness” (27). It may come as a surprise for a book on the holy angels to include Satan and his followers, but Mother Alexandra does not let us forget the threat posed by these other creations of God. Our awareness of both is interconnected: our ability to perceive the holy angels through spiritual clarity increases our ability to withstand the attacks of Satan’s angels. By widening the scope of her study to include the devil, Mother Alexandra not only reminds us of the reality of evil and temptation but also is able to consider the role of Satan in the Old and New Testaments, in addition to questions raised by the Church Fathers regarding the nature of sin and the final damnation (or not) of Satan and his angels.
Throughout, her book is marked by deep faith as well as deep erudition. Her knowledge extends to the Holy Scriptures and beyond, to the pseudo-apocryphal Book of the Secrets of Enoch, and to the Church Fathers and theologians. She is easily conversant with Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Ambrose, and the Celestial Hierarchies of Dionysius the Areopagite. And along the way, although she never loses sight of her focus, Mother Alexandra takes the opportunity to instruct, encourage, exhort, and warn the reader. Do you approach the topic of the angels with doubt? She pithily acknowledges that “[t]oday we take the appearances of angels with a pinch of salt or in total unbelief” (157). She warns us that we “must not build up impenetrable walls of disbelief and earthbound preoccupations” that would prevent the angels from protecting and guiding us (116). Do you hesitate to pray? She reminds us that prayer unites us to the holy angels and is a weapon against Satan.
Only at the very end of the book, in an Epilogue, does Mother Alexandra reveal the possible catalyst for her study: a childhood encounter with angels, vivid and undeniable. By this point, of course, the reader is already convinced of her faith and sincerity. Her book The Holy Angels stands as a corrective to romantic visions of angels on clouds with harps; her very prose is muscular and direct, almost as if by sheer force of style she intends to dispel sentimentality and misconceptions about her topic. Even more impressive, though, is the testimony it provides for the existence of angels in our religious history, our theology, and our worship. As Mother Alexandra recounts her personal encounter with angels as a child, her book bears witness to the reality of angels, their uniqueness, and their significance to our daily spiritual lives.
This study is the result of a keen intellect united with an indefatigable spirit. Having covered the breadth of angels in Old Testament times (Book I), and in the New Testament (Book II), Mother Alexandra does not consider bringing her work a close. Instead, she rolls up her sleeves and delves into a survey of angels in the Christian Church (Book III). At nearly 100 pages, this last section discusses the treatment of angels in the Early Christian Fathers, the Age of Orthodox Theology, the Holy Liturgies and Prayers, and Christian art.
Mother Alexandra begins her study with a primer on angels, appropriately called “What Are Angels?” Soon, she provides a concrete definition: “An angel has character, individuality, and a will of his own, much as we have; but in other ways angels do not resemble us. When, to make himself manifest to us, an angel takes on human semblance, he never is physically like a human being, but only a mental image of one.” Here the reader can see the theme she pursues throughout this work, that of the interplay between human and angel, similar in being created by God and endowed with free will, and yet fundamentally different creatures as well. The Old and New Testaments are studded with mystery-filled encounters between angels and humans, where angels serve as guardians and messengers: they deliver visions, they provide a way for Jacob to wrestle with his issues, they help promote God’s plan of deliverance and salvation. By weighing both the OT and NT accounts, Mother Alexandra is able to chart a shift in that relationship between man and angel: “The angels of the Old Testament ordained the law, but once the Lord had himself taken the redress of the world upon his own shoulders, the angels became the friends of man. By the new dispensation of grace and truth, the relationship of Christian and angel to each other becomes so close that at certain times . . . a singular resemblance becomes apparent between them” (162).
If the angels are our friends, then the flip side of that relationship must be considered: the presence of “our bitterest enemies, the angels of darkness” (27). It may come as a surprise for a book on the holy angels to include Satan and his followers, but Mother Alexandra does not let us forget the threat posed by these other creations of God. Our awareness of both is interconnected: our ability to perceive the holy angels through spiritual clarity increases our ability to withstand the attacks of Satan’s angels. By widening the scope of her study to include the devil, Mother Alexandra not only reminds us of the reality of evil and temptation but also is able to consider the role of Satan in the Old and New Testaments, in addition to questions raised by the Church Fathers regarding the nature of sin and the final damnation (or not) of Satan and his angels.
Throughout, her book is marked by deep faith as well as deep erudition. Her knowledge extends to the Holy Scriptures and beyond, to the pseudo-apocryphal Book of the Secrets of Enoch, and to the Church Fathers and theologians. She is easily conversant with Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Ambrose, and the Celestial Hierarchies of Dionysius the Areopagite. And along the way, although she never loses sight of her focus, Mother Alexandra takes the opportunity to instruct, encourage, exhort, and warn the reader. Do you approach the topic of the angels with doubt? She pithily acknowledges that “[t]oday we take the appearances of angels with a pinch of salt or in total unbelief” (157). She warns us that we “must not build up impenetrable walls of disbelief and earthbound preoccupations” that would prevent the angels from protecting and guiding us (116). Do you hesitate to pray? She reminds us that prayer unites us to the holy angels and is a weapon against Satan.
Only at the very end of the book, in an Epilogue, does Mother Alexandra reveal the possible catalyst for her study: a childhood encounter with angels, vivid and undeniable. By this point, of course, the reader is already convinced of her faith and sincerity. Her book The Holy Angels stands as a corrective to romantic visions of angels on clouds with harps; her very prose is muscular and direct, almost as if by sheer force of style she intends to dispel sentimentality and misconceptions about her topic. Even more impressive, though, is the testimony it provides for the existence of angels in our religious history, our theology, and our worship. As Mother Alexandra recounts her personal encounter with angels as a child, her book bears witness to the reality of angels, their uniqueness, and their significance to our daily spiritual lives.
August 19, 2023
This is the best single book I have yet read on the Holy Angels and although I am a far cry from being an angelologist, I have made my consecrations to my Guardian Angel and All the Holy Angels through Opus Sanctorum Angelorum and have a deep devotion to the Holy Angels. The requirements for the consecrations are prayerfully guided studies, first one-year devoted to your Guardian Angel and then two more years to All the Holy Angels. Ever since completing the second in 2021, I’ve continued to seek out books on the Holy Angels and (so far) this is the most comprehensive, trusted and Christian resource I have found.
The author, Mother Alexander, was born in 1909 in Bucharest, Romania, the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie. She lived through the harrowing events of World War I and perceptive child that she was, comprehended all the suffering around her. She assisted her mother in her charitable undertakings and thus learned the importance of charity at an early age despite her royal birth.
She married Archduke Anton of Austria at 22 and went to live in Sonberg, Austria where they had six children, the last two born during the Second World War. Wanting to escape the Nazi oppression, she moved the children to Romania and at the foot of the family castle built a hospital in memory of her mother, only to witness the Communist takeover at the end of the war.
From here, she and her family became the “D.P.”, the Displaced Persons, that no one wanted. They went into exile in several countries before finally making their way to the US, where she sold her jewelry and went on an extensive lecture tour to obtain scholarships for her children. When all of her children were either married or had found sufficient employment, being then a widow, she fulfilled her great desire to devote her life entirely to God and became a nun.
I include so much of the author’s life in this review before speaking about the book itself, because her life’s experiences of seeing/experiencing so much suffering, yet with determined perseverance and love of God bespeaks her credibility ... at least to me it does.
As to the book itself, it is organized into three smaller books, Book I: Angels in Old Testament Times; Book II: Angels in the New Testament and Book III: Angels in the Christian Church. Despite her own clear Orthodox background, she evenly presents Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and even secular beliefs and stories of Angels setting them in their proper traditions so readers will be able to judge them for themselves. To me she is such a reliable author because I KNOW what she believes. She has my total respect.
I learned many things from her, especially new sources for more information about the Holy Angels and in one important case, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, to return to his work, The Celestial Hierarchy with a better understanding and appreciation of how to read him.
At book’s end she shares a beautiful childhood experience of “seeing” her Guardian Angel and several other Holy Angels. If I hadn’t already LOVED the book, I would have loved it for that little vignette alone. It is so deeply affecting I just sat there for several minutes after reading it, conversing with my own Guardian Angel; I asked him to help me be more faithful to his advice and help and felt the warmth of his love.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love, commits me here.
Ever this day/night, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
I love you Guardian Angel! Thank you, God, for ALL your Holy Angels and please help us be more attentive to them!
Mother Alexander, thank you for this marvelous book and please pray for us!
The author, Mother Alexander, was born in 1909 in Bucharest, Romania, the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie. She lived through the harrowing events of World War I and perceptive child that she was, comprehended all the suffering around her. She assisted her mother in her charitable undertakings and thus learned the importance of charity at an early age despite her royal birth.
She married Archduke Anton of Austria at 22 and went to live in Sonberg, Austria where they had six children, the last two born during the Second World War. Wanting to escape the Nazi oppression, she moved the children to Romania and at the foot of the family castle built a hospital in memory of her mother, only to witness the Communist takeover at the end of the war.
From here, she and her family became the “D.P.”, the Displaced Persons, that no one wanted. They went into exile in several countries before finally making their way to the US, where she sold her jewelry and went on an extensive lecture tour to obtain scholarships for her children. When all of her children were either married or had found sufficient employment, being then a widow, she fulfilled her great desire to devote her life entirely to God and became a nun.
I include so much of the author’s life in this review before speaking about the book itself, because her life’s experiences of seeing/experiencing so much suffering, yet with determined perseverance and love of God bespeaks her credibility ... at least to me it does.
As to the book itself, it is organized into three smaller books, Book I: Angels in Old Testament Times; Book II: Angels in the New Testament and Book III: Angels in the Christian Church. Despite her own clear Orthodox background, she evenly presents Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and even secular beliefs and stories of Angels setting them in their proper traditions so readers will be able to judge them for themselves. To me she is such a reliable author because I KNOW what she believes. She has my total respect.
I learned many things from her, especially new sources for more information about the Holy Angels and in one important case, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, to return to his work, The Celestial Hierarchy with a better understanding and appreciation of how to read him.
At book’s end she shares a beautiful childhood experience of “seeing” her Guardian Angel and several other Holy Angels. If I hadn’t already LOVED the book, I would have loved it for that little vignette alone. It is so deeply affecting I just sat there for several minutes after reading it, conversing with my own Guardian Angel; I asked him to help me be more faithful to his advice and help and felt the warmth of his love.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love, commits me here.
Ever this day/night, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
I love you Guardian Angel! Thank you, God, for ALL your Holy Angels and please help us be more attentive to them!
Mother Alexander, thank you for this marvelous book and please pray for us!
March 9, 2020
I snapped this book up as soon as Ancient Faith Publishing announced it because of my love for Mother Alexandra (which I have Ancient Faith Publishing to thank for introducing me to her through her memoir they re-published, I Live Again. I reviewed that one here: https://beingincommunity.com/from-the...). This is a different sort of book from her memoir, yet the scent of Mother Alexandra's vast knowledge and personal experiences can be sensed throughout.
In the Holy Angels she writes an astoundingly comprehensive survey of the angels in Scripture, Apocrypha, Patristic tradition, Orthodox church worship, and even art. Through this survey she clarifies some common misconceptions about angels (the cute little cherubs in some Western art, for example, are NOT really angels by any theological understanding) while also giving her readers a clear sense of the important role angels play in the heavens and in the salvation story of humankind. Mother Alexandra herself has seen angels, and rather than build some fanciful idea about them and run away with her imagination, she grounds her experience with an Orthodox interpretation through her study of Scripture and the Fathers.
After finishing this book I found a renewed appreciation for the angels in life and in my worship experience, now paying close attention when the angels are mentioned in liturgy and thankful for their presence along with the saints. I purchased the book but received a review copy of the audio version of the book through Ancient Faith Publishing. The audio version is very engaging and Kristina Wenger's narration is lively and clear (Audible affiliate link: https://amzn.to/33b2Rwo). I am glad, however, to also have the hard copy of this book as it is one I will go back to for study.
In the Holy Angels she writes an astoundingly comprehensive survey of the angels in Scripture, Apocrypha, Patristic tradition, Orthodox church worship, and even art. Through this survey she clarifies some common misconceptions about angels (the cute little cherubs in some Western art, for example, are NOT really angels by any theological understanding) while also giving her readers a clear sense of the important role angels play in the heavens and in the salvation story of humankind. Mother Alexandra herself has seen angels, and rather than build some fanciful idea about them and run away with her imagination, she grounds her experience with an Orthodox interpretation through her study of Scripture and the Fathers.
After finishing this book I found a renewed appreciation for the angels in life and in my worship experience, now paying close attention when the angels are mentioned in liturgy and thankful for their presence along with the saints. I purchased the book but received a review copy of the audio version of the book through Ancient Faith Publishing. The audio version is very engaging and Kristina Wenger's narration is lively and clear (Audible affiliate link: https://amzn.to/33b2Rwo). I am glad, however, to also have the hard copy of this book as it is one I will go back to for study.
February 15, 2020
(This review is for the Audible version.)
This book is a wonderful overview of Angels as seen through the history of the church. Beginning with an overview of how angels are portrayed through the Hebrew Scriptures, the author seamlessly moves to the Gospels, the Epistles, and then to the writings of the Church Fathers. She even touches on how angels were used (and misused) in the Gnostic Gospels. She concludes with an overview of how angels have been depicted in art, showing the drift from their strict theological representation in iconography, to the eventual childish Cherub of Renaissance art.
The author is well versed in the traditions of Christianity, being familiar with Catholic and Anglican history and authors, but most of the content is from the Eastern Orthodox perspective. Mother Alexandra is knowledgeable and concise, covering large stretches of history, theological thought, and even the history of art with ease and authority. Her writing even has occasional dashes of humor (brought out well by the narrator, Kristina Wenger.)
This is a great book for those unfamiliar with the ancient tradition of angels, and whose only exposure is their portrayal in art and media. It is also worth reading for any Christian, as her overview of Church history and theology is full of insight and warmth. A few of her references are dated, as this book was written during the Cold War. Yet many of the concerns she was addressing then are fully applicable now.
If this topic at all interests you, do yourself a favor and read this book.
This book is a wonderful overview of Angels as seen through the history of the church. Beginning with an overview of how angels are portrayed through the Hebrew Scriptures, the author seamlessly moves to the Gospels, the Epistles, and then to the writings of the Church Fathers. She even touches on how angels were used (and misused) in the Gnostic Gospels. She concludes with an overview of how angels have been depicted in art, showing the drift from their strict theological representation in iconography, to the eventual childish Cherub of Renaissance art.
The author is well versed in the traditions of Christianity, being familiar with Catholic and Anglican history and authors, but most of the content is from the Eastern Orthodox perspective. Mother Alexandra is knowledgeable and concise, covering large stretches of history, theological thought, and even the history of art with ease and authority. Her writing even has occasional dashes of humor (brought out well by the narrator, Kristina Wenger.)
This is a great book for those unfamiliar with the ancient tradition of angels, and whose only exposure is their portrayal in art and media. It is also worth reading for any Christian, as her overview of Church history and theology is full of insight and warmth. A few of her references are dated, as this book was written during the Cold War. Yet many of the concerns she was addressing then are fully applicable now.
If this topic at all interests you, do yourself a favor and read this book.
March 24, 2022
We really enjoyed reading this book.
June 9, 2020
Wow, what a beautiful, encouraging, and potentially life-changing book. I'm so thankful that Ancient Faith unearthed and republished this gem, because it has deeply impacted my spiritual life and perceptions, and should be a must-read for all Christians.
The depth and scope of this book is so fully comprehensive, I cannot imagine how many years Mother Alexandra spent just on the research of this topic. She takes the reader step-by-step through the Bible to discuss literally everything "angel" from their names to their role to their appearance (or lack thereof) to their order and their relationship to God, each other, and humanity. As if that weren't enough, she then continues to guide the reader through the writings of the Church Fathers, the liturgical views and practices of both the Western and Eastern world, and a brief history of art as it concerns the angelic realm (not to mention concluding with a charming personal piece!). Satan and his angels are also covered as part of this work, and, as a result, the book then touches on not just angels and demons but sin, the purpose of humanity and its salvation, the nature of time and the afterlife, free-will and eternity, etc. Because angels reflect the glory of God, it makes sense then that a book about them should also reflect everything about the God they serve, though on a smaller scale. Indeed, this book, in discussing angels, also gives the reader an introduction to everything Christian whether it's art, history, theology, important authors, and influential writings.
I absolutely do not look at life the same way after reading this book. It puts everything into perspective on both the grand and personal scale. At various moments I've had to put it down just because I could not take any more depth and beauty without first chewing on what was already given to me.
It is not a technical read, though some parts, especially quotes from the Church Fathers, do get a little complex. It is a deep book though. Though it's style is written for the layperson, you will still find yourself going through it slowly just because its ideas are so profound. Though definitely written from an Orthodox perspective, it works hard to include all viewpoints and present something any Christian could pick up and understand, though it will definitely challenge the reader who isn't mystically-inclined or at the very least open-minded about the spiritual realm. Be prepared to see everything differently and to experience a very real joy and awe as you go through this book. It is so comforting and uplifting to the human spirit and so reflective of God's grace, power, and love, I cannot recommend it enough! If anything about the book's description draws you, go read it. You will not be disappointed.
The depth and scope of this book is so fully comprehensive, I cannot imagine how many years Mother Alexandra spent just on the research of this topic. She takes the reader step-by-step through the Bible to discuss literally everything "angel" from their names to their role to their appearance (or lack thereof) to their order and their relationship to God, each other, and humanity. As if that weren't enough, she then continues to guide the reader through the writings of the Church Fathers, the liturgical views and practices of both the Western and Eastern world, and a brief history of art as it concerns the angelic realm (not to mention concluding with a charming personal piece!). Satan and his angels are also covered as part of this work, and, as a result, the book then touches on not just angels and demons but sin, the purpose of humanity and its salvation, the nature of time and the afterlife, free-will and eternity, etc. Because angels reflect the glory of God, it makes sense then that a book about them should also reflect everything about the God they serve, though on a smaller scale. Indeed, this book, in discussing angels, also gives the reader an introduction to everything Christian whether it's art, history, theology, important authors, and influential writings.
I absolutely do not look at life the same way after reading this book. It puts everything into perspective on both the grand and personal scale. At various moments I've had to put it down just because I could not take any more depth and beauty without first chewing on what was already given to me.
It is not a technical read, though some parts, especially quotes from the Church Fathers, do get a little complex. It is a deep book though. Though it's style is written for the layperson, you will still find yourself going through it slowly just because its ideas are so profound. Though definitely written from an Orthodox perspective, it works hard to include all viewpoints and present something any Christian could pick up and understand, though it will definitely challenge the reader who isn't mystically-inclined or at the very least open-minded about the spiritual realm. Be prepared to see everything differently and to experience a very real joy and awe as you go through this book. It is so comforting and uplifting to the human spirit and so reflective of God's grace, power, and love, I cannot recommend it enough! If anything about the book's description draws you, go read it. You will not be disappointed.
February 16, 2021
This classic by the Romanian nun Mother Alexandra (who emigrated to USA) is thought provoking. Glad I read it. I think it is a great survey of both the old and new Testaments.
I do take exception to certain theological points and one historic fact presented.
Historic fact: Pope St. Gregory the Great, was presented as a Benedictine monk. While the pope was a great admirer of St. Benedict and his rule, he was not a Benedictine. Confusion comes from the monastery St. Gregory founded in Rome (originally St. Andrew's and later renamed St. Gregory's for the pope) was originally an independent monastery in the late 500s AD. In the 1500s it was absorbed into one of the Benedictine orders. So many knowing it was a Benedictine monastery in the last 2 centuries assumed it was from the very beginning hence they assumed St. Gregory was a Benedictine.
One theological point has to do with the nature of angels. Mother Alexandra sees them as have free will which many, many others believe. If that is the case her viewpoint that angels are good is scary. Assuming they have freewill means at any time an angel can go bad. Of course this is a simple explanation of Good and Evil with the angel Lucifer rebelling against God. But I do not think it is so.
I see angels do not have free will. That God uses them for both good an evil roles. Since God made humanity in his image and gave us free will. In order to not be robots, God gave humanity choice. So God gives us something to pick from (Good or Evil). Angels are used to serve us thru God's goodness or tempt us. The point of all this is so we can become freely to choose freely to worship and love God and not be robots.
Another theological point, I see a certain amount of dualism in her theology. This heresy has been the bane of Christianity since its beginning days.
I recommend this book. It is a great study on angels. It will make you be alive to the great part of Holy Scriptures that we tend to cultural ignore where the angels involved.
I do take exception to certain theological points and one historic fact presented.
Historic fact: Pope St. Gregory the Great, was presented as a Benedictine monk. While the pope was a great admirer of St. Benedict and his rule, he was not a Benedictine. Confusion comes from the monastery St. Gregory founded in Rome (originally St. Andrew's and later renamed St. Gregory's for the pope) was originally an independent monastery in the late 500s AD. In the 1500s it was absorbed into one of the Benedictine orders. So many knowing it was a Benedictine monastery in the last 2 centuries assumed it was from the very beginning hence they assumed St. Gregory was a Benedictine.
One theological point has to do with the nature of angels. Mother Alexandra sees them as have free will which many, many others believe. If that is the case her viewpoint that angels are good is scary. Assuming they have freewill means at any time an angel can go bad. Of course this is a simple explanation of Good and Evil with the angel Lucifer rebelling against God. But I do not think it is so.
I see angels do not have free will. That God uses them for both good an evil roles. Since God made humanity in his image and gave us free will. In order to not be robots, God gave humanity choice. So God gives us something to pick from (Good or Evil). Angels are used to serve us thru God's goodness or tempt us. The point of all this is so we can become freely to choose freely to worship and love God and not be robots.
Another theological point, I see a certain amount of dualism in her theology. This heresy has been the bane of Christianity since its beginning days.
I recommend this book. It is a great study on angels. It will make you be alive to the great part of Holy Scriptures that we tend to cultural ignore where the angels involved.
January 21, 2020
I am constantly bombarded by society’s perception of angels—cherubic toddlers, holding harps and looking, well, cute. You can see these angels everywhere—on greeting cards, small figurines, t-shirts, bumper stickers. As a society, the idea of angels has been softened into a rosy picture of sweetness. It is almost impossible to look at this modern perception of angels and think of the Glory of God or of strength or power.
Mother Alexandra’s book, The Holy Angels, is a much needed reminder about the holy servants of God. In truth, it is much more than a reminder. It is a thorough instruction on everything the Bible and the Church tells us of these holy creatures. It walks through the familiar, the Angel Gabriel, the angels at the Nativity, as well as the lesser known stories of the angels throughout the Old and New Testaments.
As well as teaching me more than I have ever known about the angels, this book reminded me why I tell my children to pray to their Guardian Angel and why I turn on my son’s Guardian Angel nightlight every night: “The holy angels of God guard us, shepherd us, lead us, tending us when we fall, cheering us upon our way. Our personal angel and also the guardians of our different nations mingle their prayers with ours, carrying them to God on High, until we shall all stand before the Throne of God and know even as we are known.”
Mother Alexandra’s book, The Holy Angels, is a much needed reminder about the holy servants of God. In truth, it is much more than a reminder. It is a thorough instruction on everything the Bible and the Church tells us of these holy creatures. It walks through the familiar, the Angel Gabriel, the angels at the Nativity, as well as the lesser known stories of the angels throughout the Old and New Testaments.
As well as teaching me more than I have ever known about the angels, this book reminded me why I tell my children to pray to their Guardian Angel and why I turn on my son’s Guardian Angel nightlight every night: “The holy angels of God guard us, shepherd us, lead us, tending us when we fall, cheering us upon our way. Our personal angel and also the guardians of our different nations mingle their prayers with ours, carrying them to God on High, until we shall all stand before the Throne of God and know even as we are known.”
January 11, 2020
Although I felt generally ambivalent about the topic of angels, my respect for Mother Alexandra provided the needed impetus for me to take and read The Holy Angels. Mother Alexandra is an engaging guide in this broad-sweeping survey. In just over 300 pages, we are introduced to angels in Old Testament and New Testament times, in the writings of the Holy Fathers, in the Divine Liturgy and in Orthodox prayer, and in Christian art. As Mother Alexandra explains, her purpose is “to bring the faithful to a greater knowledge and understanding of the heavenly hosts in the hope that their belief in the holy angels may stand on a firm foundation and reap a rich harvest of grace and all blessings in the heavenly ministrations of the blessed and angelic spirits.”
Until reading Mother Alexandra’s book, I never gave much thought to angels. Now, with my review copy of The Holy Angels colorfully festooned with post-it tags, I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. References to angels pop out to me in my daily Scripture reading, in the Liturgy and other church services, in prayer, in art and iconography. I find myself thinking about and talking with the “holy angels of God” who “guard us, shepherd us, lead us, tending us when we fall, cheering us upon our way.”
Three things I particularly appreciate about this book include …
1) … the prolific references to and quotations from Scripture, from the Church Fathers, and from Orthodox Christian prayers and Liturgies accompanied by Mother Alexandra’s insightful commentary and reflections.
2) … the overview of angels in Christian art, which fascinated me. Frequent online searches for artists and works referenced punctuated my reading. Inclusion of reproductions of artworks referenced would be helpful, but I was able to locate most works referenced relatively easily.
3) … hearing Mother Alexandra’s compelling voice again. I first ‘met’ Mother Alexandra when visiting the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania – the monastery of which she is the foundress. That visit prompted me to read two other Ancient Faith Publishing books, Royal Monastic by Bev. Cooke and I Live Again: A Memoir by Princess Ileana (Mother Alexandra). Once again, I am greatly inspired by the life, works, and words of this contemporary saint!
I heartily recommend that you take and read The Holy Angels!
Until reading Mother Alexandra’s book, I never gave much thought to angels. Now, with my review copy of The Holy Angels colorfully festooned with post-it tags, I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. References to angels pop out to me in my daily Scripture reading, in the Liturgy and other church services, in prayer, in art and iconography. I find myself thinking about and talking with the “holy angels of God” who “guard us, shepherd us, lead us, tending us when we fall, cheering us upon our way.”
Three things I particularly appreciate about this book include …
1) … the prolific references to and quotations from Scripture, from the Church Fathers, and from Orthodox Christian prayers and Liturgies accompanied by Mother Alexandra’s insightful commentary and reflections.
2) … the overview of angels in Christian art, which fascinated me. Frequent online searches for artists and works referenced punctuated my reading. Inclusion of reproductions of artworks referenced would be helpful, but I was able to locate most works referenced relatively easily.
3) … hearing Mother Alexandra’s compelling voice again. I first ‘met’ Mother Alexandra when visiting the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania – the monastery of which she is the foundress. That visit prompted me to read two other Ancient Faith Publishing books, Royal Monastic by Bev. Cooke and I Live Again: A Memoir by Princess Ileana (Mother Alexandra). Once again, I am greatly inspired by the life, works, and words of this contemporary saint!
I heartily recommend that you take and read The Holy Angels!
July 17, 2025
Let's start with the author. This is a biography that if it was fiction, you would find it unbelievable:
Mother Alexandra (1909–1991) was born Princess Ileana of Romania. The youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, she experienced the upheavals of World War I as a child and early on dedicated herself to charitable deeds alongside her mother. At age 22, she married Archduke Anton of Austria, gaining a large family—six children, two born during World War II.
By 1944, with Nazi advances and later the Communist takeover, Princess Ileana turned her castle in Bran into a hospital, caring for the wounded until exile forced her and her family to flee through Switzerland and Argentina to settle in Massachusetts. Adapting to this new life, she sold jewelry and lectured widely to support her family. Once her children were grown, she embraced a life of devotion, taking the name Mother Alexandra, founding the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, and nurturing a deep spirituality until her repose in 1991. The monastery website is https://www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodc...
Now for the book! This is NOT an academic book, but it is scholarly and well researched. It's a serious and thoughtful investigation of angels as they appear in scripture, extra-biblical texts, the writings of the Church Fathers, their references in various liturgies (primarily Orthodox, but also Roman and Protestant church texts) and in art.
She starts off and closes the book discussing hre own encounter with an angel, and it does color the text. She acknowledges this encounter profoundly: “Having witnessed the angels directly” shapes her entire theological perspective. Rather than dry theology, Mother Alexandra’s guide is a guide to prayer and awareness. This isn't a text book, nor is it a prayer book, but it is something of both.
This book was written by an Orthodox Christian with, I assume, an Orthodox audience in mind. Other Christians, particularly more liturgical Christians, will enjoy this as it is written. For low church protestants this book will be more challenging. But maybe that's a good thing. American Christianity has a very materialistic bent to it, and getting a better understanding on the larger reality that includes angels wouldn't hurt.
Mother Alexandra (1909–1991) was born Princess Ileana of Romania. The youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, she experienced the upheavals of World War I as a child and early on dedicated herself to charitable deeds alongside her mother. At age 22, she married Archduke Anton of Austria, gaining a large family—six children, two born during World War II.
By 1944, with Nazi advances and later the Communist takeover, Princess Ileana turned her castle in Bran into a hospital, caring for the wounded until exile forced her and her family to flee through Switzerland and Argentina to settle in Massachusetts. Adapting to this new life, she sold jewelry and lectured widely to support her family. Once her children were grown, she embraced a life of devotion, taking the name Mother Alexandra, founding the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, and nurturing a deep spirituality until her repose in 1991. The monastery website is https://www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodc...
Now for the book! This is NOT an academic book, but it is scholarly and well researched. It's a serious and thoughtful investigation of angels as they appear in scripture, extra-biblical texts, the writings of the Church Fathers, their references in various liturgies (primarily Orthodox, but also Roman and Protestant church texts) and in art.
She starts off and closes the book discussing hre own encounter with an angel, and it does color the text. She acknowledges this encounter profoundly: “Having witnessed the angels directly” shapes her entire theological perspective. Rather than dry theology, Mother Alexandra’s guide is a guide to prayer and awareness. This isn't a text book, nor is it a prayer book, but it is something of both.
This book was written by an Orthodox Christian with, I assume, an Orthodox audience in mind. Other Christians, particularly more liturgical Christians, will enjoy this as it is written. For low church protestants this book will be more challenging. But maybe that's a good thing. American Christianity has a very materialistic bent to it, and getting a better understanding on the larger reality that includes angels wouldn't hurt.
January 9, 2020
What an impressive book! If you are looking for a thought provoking, thorough book on Angels, then this is the book. I was so enthralled with everything Mother Alexandra had to say. It was well written, concise and easy to follow.
I have always been a firm believer in Angels, however, I often found myself struggling on how to pray and utilize the angels with my salvation. This book is laid out beautifully by Mother Alexandra. I was hooked from the very beginning. There was a part where Mother Alexandra was speaking with a theologian when she asked him his opinions of angels. They way he responded was exactly how I felt before reading this book, “I am grateful that they exist, but I am not comfortable saying very much about them. And I am not sure how to relate to them in my daily life” (The Holy Angels, pg 11). Simply put that before this book I had no knowledge on how to relate to them. How does one relate to an angel? After reading and then journaling after each reading section, I no longer feel a disconnect between myself and Angels.
Mother Alexandra begins her book with a beautiful introduction. Which then leads to Angels in the old testament. Her introduction about what are angels was the “oh yea” moment I was hoping to find in this book. She then discusses Angels in the New Testament. Lastly, she talks about Angels in the Christian Church. This will become my new handbook for everything Angels.
I personally have felt my prayer life has become more enriched and deeper just by reading this book and having a better understanding of Angels in my daily life. I highly recommend this book to everyone; converts, catechumens and those that want a deeper understanding of how to enrich your prayer life with the Holy Angels.
I have always been a firm believer in Angels, however, I often found myself struggling on how to pray and utilize the angels with my salvation. This book is laid out beautifully by Mother Alexandra. I was hooked from the very beginning. There was a part where Mother Alexandra was speaking with a theologian when she asked him his opinions of angels. They way he responded was exactly how I felt before reading this book, “I am grateful that they exist, but I am not comfortable saying very much about them. And I am not sure how to relate to them in my daily life” (The Holy Angels, pg 11). Simply put that before this book I had no knowledge on how to relate to them. How does one relate to an angel? After reading and then journaling after each reading section, I no longer feel a disconnect between myself and Angels.
Mother Alexandra begins her book with a beautiful introduction. Which then leads to Angels in the old testament. Her introduction about what are angels was the “oh yea” moment I was hoping to find in this book. She then discusses Angels in the New Testament. Lastly, she talks about Angels in the Christian Church. This will become my new handbook for everything Angels.
I personally have felt my prayer life has become more enriched and deeper just by reading this book and having a better understanding of Angels in my daily life. I highly recommend this book to everyone; converts, catechumens and those that want a deeper understanding of how to enrich your prayer life with the Holy Angels.
October 24, 2020
I had the incredible pleasure of getting to listen to The Holy Angels by Mother Alexander. While It was a book I very much wanted to read, I did so not knowing what to expect. I am Latin Rite not orthodox, and Angels are looked at a bit differently in the Latin Rite. However, I can only say good things about this book.
First, the narrator was a great choice for this book. She was easy to listen to and really helped to draw you into the book. I did get the audio book and normally I have trouble with audiobooks, my mind tends to get lost in my own thoughts about what i am listening too, Now, it still happened a little but not nearly as much as normal and it was a great experience.
The book itself breaks every section up very clearly and talks about areas in the Bible that discuss angels, but also talks about the church fathers, theology and just a general chapter on what angels are, which I found extremely helpful. I believe my favorite sections were on angels and the book of revelation and the chapter on angels in the holy liturgies and prayers. There was no section I wished I could just skim through or skip all together.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is orthodox or catholic of any rite. You might enjoy reading it with a Bible by your side and it would make a great book to journal while you read. That said whether you just read or it use it as study or reflection material I do not believe you can go wrong with this book. Mother Alexader wrote a wonderful book.
First, the narrator was a great choice for this book. She was easy to listen to and really helped to draw you into the book. I did get the audio book and normally I have trouble with audiobooks, my mind tends to get lost in my own thoughts about what i am listening too, Now, it still happened a little but not nearly as much as normal and it was a great experience.
The book itself breaks every section up very clearly and talks about areas in the Bible that discuss angels, but also talks about the church fathers, theology and just a general chapter on what angels are, which I found extremely helpful. I believe my favorite sections were on angels and the book of revelation and the chapter on angels in the holy liturgies and prayers. There was no section I wished I could just skim through or skip all together.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is orthodox or catholic of any rite. You might enjoy reading it with a Bible by your side and it would make a great book to journal while you read. That said whether you just read or it use it as study or reflection material I do not believe you can go wrong with this book. Mother Alexader wrote a wonderful book.
August 23, 2020
When we Christians say the Nicene Creed, we state, " I believe in one God Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible." Mother Alexandra reminds us that the holy angels are that "invisible" part of Heaven and earth in which we believe. With great skill and much research, she guides the reader through the Old Testament, New Testament, the Christian Church. She reminds us that angels, like humans, are created by God to be our guides, messengers, protectors, and companions. Excellent book.
May 15, 2023
A simple yet thorough study on angels. Mother Alexandra takes us along on her search through the scriptures, the saints, and tradition. This is not a deeply theological books but it is still packed with nuggets of wisdom through the ages. Mother was not looking to reinvent our understanding of angels and is very careful and deliberate in her words so as not to stray into conjecture. This book brought me a lot of comfort.
March 29, 2021
This book goes into amazing detail about the angels. I was very impressed with the resources she used including the Bible (both Old & New Testaments) and the church fathers and saints. I actually listened to the audio book, the narrator is very good as well.
June 11, 2021
An amazing book. She goes through every appearence and reference of Angels in the bible. She looks at angels in liturgy, art, and some select writings from church history. Even though she is very thorough, it has a very pastoral tone. Highly recommended to all.
April 22, 2020
Would have rated a 3, did not find a lot of the book particularly compelling, but the epilogue alone was worth the price of the book and bumps it up to 4 stars.
June 21, 2022
Wonderfully Scriptural.
August 11, 2025
A wonderful look into the reality of angels from scripture and the church fathers!
November 7, 2025
A must read!
December 11, 2022
My Patron Saint is the Holy Archangel Michael, which is more of an accident of my name than a particular draw. Having said that, this book is such a wonderful reminder of the way that the angels have interacted with humanity in history and in our faith, and how the I have been under his protection and care, even before I was conscious of it.
March 10, 2020
EXCELLENT!!!
WELL worth the read!
It gave substance to what I thought I knew about the Holy Angels. I’m so very grateful for having read this. Definitely one I’d like to read again.
WELL worth the read!
It gave substance to what I thought I knew about the Holy Angels. I’m so very grateful for having read this. Definitely one I’d like to read again.
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