Ecclesiastical Annals (Baronius, 1588-1607) – Angelological and Demonological References in the History of the Church (Years 1-1198)

The *Annales Ecclesiastici* by Cesare Baronio (1538-1607)

The *Annales Ecclesiastici*, published in 12 original volumes (Rome, 1588-1607, later reissued in 20 volumes by Theiner in 1864), constitutes the first significant systematic history of the Catholic Church. It covers year-by-year from Christ’s birth to 1198, providing a primary source for angelology and demonology up to Innocent III. Text available at the Locus Mariologicus library.

Author and Publication Details

– Author: Cardinal Cesare Baronio (1538-1607) – Volumes (Theiner Ed., 1864): 20 volumes (original: 12 volumes, 1588-1607) – Coverage: From the year Christ was born (Year 1) to 1198 (end of Pope Celestine III’s pontificate) – Continuations: Continued by Raynaldus from 1198 to 1565, and Laderchi from 1566 to 1571. – Historical Significance: A fundamental source for Catholic historiography, serving as an alternative to the Protestant *Magdeburg Centuries*.

Angelic/Demonic Themes in the Annals

Baronio organized the *Annales* chronologically, citing primary sources (Mansi, Migne, papyri, manuscripts). For angelology and demonology, the *Annales* report:

I. Apostolic Era (Volumes 1-2, Years 1-100)

– Year 33: Exorcisms by Christ and the Apostles. – Year 36: Saint Michael’s appearance to Saint Peter in prison (Acts 12). – Year 50: The Jerusalem Council and the role of angels in the early Church. – Years 60-100: John the Apostle and his vision of Revelation, Michael and the dragon.

II. Late Apostolic Era + Apostolic Fathers (Volumes 2-3, Years 100-200)

– Ignatius of Antioch: Mention of angelic choirs in liturgical practices. – Justin Martyr: Arguments against pagan demons, *First Apology*. – Irenaeus of Lyon: Countering gnostic views on angelology. – Year 195: The Roman Council and the origins of exorcism in baptism.

III. Era of Persecutions (Volumes 3-5, Years 200-313)

– Origen (185-253): *Peri Archon*, Book I, on rebel angels (cf. SC 252). – Saint Cyprian: *De Spectaculis*, demon pagans in the amphitheater. – Saint Anthony the Great (250-356): Spiritual battles against demons, *Life of Anthony*. – Years 305-311: Persecution under Diocletian, martyrs and their angelic protectors.

IV. Constantinian Era and Councils (Volumes 5-7, Years 313-451)

– Nicene Council (325): Implicitly defines the Word incarnate against Arianism, which diminished Christ to an angel. – Laodicean Council (363-364): Canon 35 against excessive angel worship. – Constantinople I Council (381): The Creed includes *”descendit de caelis”* (he descended from heaven). – Ephesus Council (431): Theotokos against Nestorius. – Chalcedon Council (451): Two natures in Christ.

V. Byzantine and Early Medieval Period (Vol 8-12, years 451-1000)

• Second Council of Constantinople (553): anathemas against Origenists (condemnation of the Devil’s apocatastasis)
• Council of Braga I (561): against Priscillianism
• St. Gregory the Great (6th-7th centuries): Homilies on the Gospels with nine choirs
• Roman Council of 745: Aldebert case (eight angels with apocryphal names)
• Second Council of Nicaea (787): veneration of angelic images

VI. Medieval Period (Vol 13-19, years 1000-1198)

• St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): treatise on angels in the Song of Songs
• Hugh of St. Victor (12th century): first scholastic synthesis
• Peter Lombard (1100-1160): Sentences, Book II on Angels
• Lateran Councils I, II, III (1123, 1139, 1179): condemnation of Cathars (demonic dualism)

Continuation by Raynaldus (1198-1565)

Odoric Raynaldi (1595-1671) continued Baronio’s Annales covering 1198 (Pope Innocent III) to 1565 (Trento Council). For angelology and demonology, he includes:

• 1215, Fourth Lateran Council (Pope Innocent III): Firmiter credimus, dogmatic definition of angels
• 1442, Florence: Cantate Domino reiterates Lateran IV
• 1481, Pope Sixtus IV: Constitution Grave nimis against excessive veneration of saints
• 1517, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: demonological context of the Protestant Reformation
• 1545-1563, Council of Trent: definitions on demonology

Methodological Importance of the Annales

Baronio wrote the Annales as a Catholic response to the Protestant ‘Magdeburg Centuries’ (1559-1574), an ecclesiastical history by Matthias Flacius Iliricus. The Annales stand out for:

1. Yearly chronology allowing location of each event
2. Citations of primary sources with precise references
3. Use of Vatican manuscripts not yet published at the time
4. Systematic treatment of individual councils beyond ecumenical ones
5. Documentation of liturgical festivals and local devotions

Importance for Angelological/Demonological Research

For the historical study of angelology and demonology, the Annales are valuable because:

1. Document individual councils not included in Mansi’s main collection
2. Reference miracles and exorcisms in saint’s lives
3. Cite ancient liturgies in full text
4. Compile papal bulls in precise chronological order
5. Preserve Eastern traditions about the seven archangels

Further Reading

Index of Ancient Magisterial Sources on Angelology and Demonology: Academic Guide | Latran IV (1215) | Roman Council 745 | Braga I Council