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Part IV: Dogma and Ritual Questions · 1

The Spirits and Their Work

Faith Q&A › Many Years with People's Questions › Part IV

The question

Are there spirits who work in this world? And if so, what are they like?

The answer

Spirits were created in two types; the spirits of angels and the spirits of human beings. The angels are also of two types: holy angels, and evil angels or demons. There is no doubt that both types, good and bad, are at work in the world. It was said of the angels: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? " (Heb. 1:14) and "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. " (Ps. 34:7)

The work of the demon spirits is to corrupt mankind spiritually, but only if people surrender their wills to them, or to throw some or take possession of them. This is why the Lord gave His disciples and saints the gifts of casting out demons. (Matt. 10:1, 8; Mark 16:17)

As far as the spirits of mankind are concerned, the wicked end up imprisoned in hell, while some of the righteous become entrusted by God to provide help for their brothers on earth, and these spirits may even appear to those people as Virgin Mary and St. George do.

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory, Many Years with People's Questions, Part IV: Dogma and Ritual Questions. Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Translated by Mrs. Glynis Younan, London. Revised by Mrs. Wedad Abbas. First edition, August 1992. Revised COEPA 1997. ISBN 977-5319-0-2-1.