The answer
This question can only arise in the mind of someone who thinks of these hosts as physical beings and so assumes that their praises come through mouths, tongues, and vocal cords like ours. So, if praise in its essence is love, proceeding from the depths of any creature, it can never cease. This is like parents who love their sick child and so will not let any work distract them from their love and care for him. So we ask:
• Did the Archangel Gabriel cease from praising God while he announced the
incarnation of Christ to St. Mary and enjoyed that wondrous conversation with her (Luke 1:26–38)?
• Would the heavenly hosts ever cease from praising as they offer incense before God,
which are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8)?
• Did the Archangel Michael cease from praising while he contended with the devil
over the body of Moses (Jude 9)?
• Did the Lord’s angel cease from praising while he killed the 185, 000 Assyrians (2
Kings 16:35)?
• Did the angel cease from praising while waking Peter up to liberate him prison (Acts
12:5–10)?
• Did the angel cease from praising while he was shutting the lions’ mouths (Dan. 6:20–
29), or while instructing the gentile centurion Cornelius to send for Peter the apostle (Acts 10:11), or when providing Hagar and her son Ishmael with water (Gen. 21:17– 19)?
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty