Discourse on the Angels or Spirits of Empires

...each one of these [angels] was keeping his own watch, and keeping vigil day and night, he was at last unable to bear the labor, even though he worked industriously to govern the nations that had been entrusted to him. [It was then] that the angel came at the birth of the Lord and announced to the shepherds that the True Shepherd had arisen.

For example (to provide an illustration), there was a certain "Shepherd" Here "Shepherd" refers to the guardian angel or spiritual prince of a nation. of Macedonia; he stood in need of the Lord’s help. Therefore, a Macedonian man appeared to Paul in a dream, saying: Cross over into Macedonia and help us. original: "Transiens in Macedoniam, adjuva nos" — quoting Acts 16:9. The author interprets the "man" in Paul's vision as the guardian angel of the province asking for Christ's intervention. Why do I speak of Paul? Since it was not Paul who spoke these things, but Jesus who was in Paul! These "Shepherds," therefore, require the presence of Christ.

For this reason, the angel descended from Heaven and said: "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you news of great joy." original: "angelus descendit de Cœlo, & ait : Nolite timere, Ecce enim annuncio vobis gaudium magnum" — quoting the announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10. It was truly a great joy for those to whom the care of men and provinces had been entrusted, that Christ had come into the world. The Angel who administered the affairs of Egypt received great benefit after the Lord descended from heaven, so that the Egyptians might become Christians. It profited all those who held the various provinces. For instance, the Guardian of Macedonia, the Guardian of Achaia, and of the other regions. The original uses "Præses," a term for a Roman provincial governor, applied here to angelic rulers.

For it is not right to believe that while bad angels preside over their provinces, good angels are not permitted to have those same provinces assigned to them. Moreover, what is said regarding individual provinces, I think ought also to be believed generally regarding all human beings. Two angels assist every person: one of righteousness, the other of iniquity. If good thoughts are in our heart, and righteousness sprouts in our soul, there is no doubt that the angel of the Lord is speaking to us. But if evil things are turned over in our heart, the angel of the devil is speaking to us.

Just as there are two angels for each individual person, so I believe there are differing angels in each individual province: so that there are both good and bad ones. For example, in Ephesus, because of those who were sinners in that city, the worst angels presided. Conversely, because there were many believers there, there was also an Ange-