Silesius, Angelus: see Angelus Silesius.

Angelus Silesius, pseud. of Johannes Scheffler, 1624-77, German poet. He is best known for his pastoral lyric cycles Heilige Seelenlust (1657-68) and Cherubinischer Wandersmann (1674-75), which can be interpreted as Christian as well as pantheistic. Scheffler's mysticism strongly influenced 18th-century Pietism.

Angelus, family name and dynasty of three Byzantine emperors (1185-1204): see Isaac II; Alexius III; Alexius IV.

Angelus [Lat.,=angel], daily prayer of the Roman Catholic Church, said usually three times daily, as announced by a bell, traditionally at six in the morning, at noon, and at six in the evening. It is said in honor of the Incarnation and consists of three repetitions of the Hail Mary together with verses and a prayer. It takes its name from the opening word of the Latin version: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae [the angel of the Lord declared unto Mary].