" Therefore the dead also pray for us. Thus did
Onias and Jeremiah in the Old Testament. For Onias the high
priest was seen by Judas Maccabaeus holding up his hands and
praying for the whole body of the Jews. Afterwards another
man appeared, remarkable both for his age and majesty, and
of great beauty about him, concerning whom Onias replied:
"This is a love of the brethren and of the people Israel, who
prayeth much for the people and for the Holy city - to wit,
Jeremiah the prophet." 2 Macc. 15:12-14. Besides, we know
from the Holy Scriptures that the angels pray for us. Why,
then, would we deny this of the saints? "O Lord of hosts,"
said the angels, "how long wilt thou not have mercy on
Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast
had indignation? And the Lord answered the angel that talked
with me comfortable words." Zech. 1:12, 13. Job likewise
testifies: "If there be an angel with him speaking, one
among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness, he will
pity him and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit."
Job 33:23, 24. This is clear besides from the words of that
holy soul, John the Evangelist, when he says: "The four
beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the
Lamb, having each one of them harps and golden vials, full of
odors which are the prayers of saints," Rev. 5:8; and
afterwards: "An angel stood at the altar, having a golden
censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he
should offer it with the prayers of al saints upon the
golden altar which was before the throne.
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