From the sayings of ABBA PACHOMIOUSabout ANGELS

One night Theodore – the disciple of Abba Pachomious rose and made a tour of the monastery to ensure the wellbeing of all the brothers in the monastery.  He prayed standing as he was keeping watch over them.  During his prayer he had a vision:  All the brothers were lying down resting like sheep, and an angel was watching over them.  And the angel said to Theodore, “Is it you who are watching over the brothers or is it I?” Theodore then returned to his cell saying, “Truly, we only appear to be watching.  In reality, it is the angels who are our shepherds and watch over us, the sheep of God’s flock.  It is they who keep us safe from the wicked snares of the enemy.”