A disciple of the great monastic elders of Gaza, Saints Barsanuphius and John, Saint Dorotheus longed for a life of strict ascesis, but his weak bodily constitution wouldn’t allow it. Lest he fall into despair and thereby make himself a target of the Devil, the Great Old Man (Barsanuphius) consoled him and instructed him to make every effort to deny the will of the flesh through an inner ascesis of the heart. So, beginning at cutting of his will in small things, he was able to progressively cut off his will in larger things. Eventually this led him to a heavenly detachment and impassibility through which God was able to act to crush the invisible enemy. This also cultivated within him other virtues, chief among them that of humility, compassion, and resilience which he used to guide his own disciples, especially Saint Dositheus. On one occasion, the noonday demon ferociously assailed him with an overwhelming sadness and acedia. The Saint cried out to the Lord for help, and he was granted a vision of an angel in the form of a Bishop who struck Dorotheus on the breast three times repeating the Psalm verse, “With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and he hearkened unto my supplication” (Psalm 39 LXX). As soon as this had happened, the angel disappeared, the demon fled, and the Saint’s heart was flooded with the Uncreated Light, joy, and peace. From that time forward he was never subjected again to sadness, acedia, or fear. The Saint’s most famous teaching on unity with both God and neighbor is known today as the Circle of Saint Dorotheos of Gaza wherein he describes a person as a point on the circumference of a circle. The person moves inward towards God represented as the point at the center of the circle. As the person draws nearer to God, they also draw near to others making the same journey as their paths converge. Thus he taught that, while our salvation is a gift from God, it also lies in our neighbor. Such a blessed unity cannot be overcome by the Enemy of Mankind.
Category: Bodily Harm
Indicates saints who suffered bodily harm in their attack by the demons.
Irene of Chrysovalantou
The daughter of a noble destined for an imperial marriage, Saint Joannicius the Great prophesied that she would instead become abbess of the Monastery of Chrysovalantou. Inspired by his words, the holy woman immediately gave away all of her possessions, took the monastic veil, and devoted herself to the ascetic life. Perfect in obedience, she served her sisters as royalty, constantly meditating on Holy Scripture which was her true consolation and sustenance. Early in her monastic life she undertook the imitation of Saint Arsenius and began keeping night long vigils with he hands stretched out to heaven. Routing the demons like Israel routed the Amalekites when Moses held his arms outstretched, the Devil responded by tempting her with memories of the comfortable life that she had previously lived. Undaunted, the Saint simply redoubled her ascetic efforts, put the Devil to shame, and succeeded in subjecting the protestations of the flesh to the desire of her soul. Thus God blessed her with unfailing discernment, which she used to wisely guide the life of the monastery after becoming abbess. Despite her responsibilities, she continued to progress in the ascetic life, eating only once a week and making vigil as normal for her as sleeping was to others. She preferred to keep vigil outside in the monastery’s courtyard, and in the midst of her prayer she was taken up into the air while the cypress tress bowed down in front of this revelation of a child of God, so much like Eve in Paradise before the Fall. These night prayers became a relentless scourge to the demons who sought any means to destroy the Saint, even assaulting her physically with fire, to no avail. Once, when the Emperor was about to execute one of her kinswomen who opposed him under the possession of a demon, the Saint along with Saints Basil the Great and Anastasia Pharmacolytria appeared in their midst clothed in the uncreated Glory of God. The demon fled from this radiant theophany, the Emperor repented of his hastiness, and pledged support for her monastery. Though she lived over one hundred years, her purity of soul slowed the aging process to such a degree that she still looked as she had when she entered the monastery. In death as in life, she continues to work miracles for the faithful who cry out for her intercession.
Hymnography
Thou wast betrothed to the Immortal King as a blameless bride, O blessed Irene. Wherefore, leading a life worthy of thy calling, thou wast magnified beyond nature; for wheresoever God is present, deeds beyond nature are brought to pass. Thou didst ineffably appear to the king to reprove him; things afar off, thou foretoldest as though they were near; thou wast given to see the screts of the heart, that thou mightest lead souls to salvation; thou didst break the strength of the demons, and didst cure the sick with a word; for so doth Christ know to glorify them that glorify Him. Earnestly beseech Him to grant us peace and great mercy.
(For the Entreaty, Doxastikon; Vespers)
Rejoicing, rational dove most august, noetic nightingale and beautiful turtle-dove; escaping the snares and plottings of wicked fowlers of souls, thou didst fly on high to be at rest with God. Rejoice, pure and spotless ewe of the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ, to Whom with ardor thou didst cry, wounded with His love: Tell me, O Belov’d, where Thou makest Thy flocks to rest. Show even unto me the longed-for light of Thy countenance; let even me hear Thy sweet voice, whence floweth life in abundant streams. Entreat Him with fervor to grant pardon unto all who extol thee, O Irene.
(For the Aposticha, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Since thou possessest power over demons and the grace to heal every ill, and since thou, moreover, hast compassion that doth imitate God’s mercy for the world, O Irene, bring our burdens, our sins and sorrows before the Lord, Who doth swiftly grant that which thou dost ask.
(Ode One, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art the terror and dismay of the apostates from Heaven, who were dreadfully beleaguered and battered seeing thee ascend by prayer to that from which they fell of old; and thou dost swiftly cast them from all who flee to thy sympathy.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Through the high priest Methodius, God the Holy Spirit announced His choice of thee as the shepherdess to guide his ewes past the snares of Satan to the fold on high.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With the bitterest warfares , thou didst fight the lusts and the demons that dwell therein, wielding deadly weapons ever bright with the polish of daily use, till through toils relentless, thou foughtest through to that divine peace whereof thou art the namesake beffitingly.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Leaving all the world behind with its impermanent glory, thou wast wedded unto Christ, the King immortal and holy, bringing Him as precious dowry thy maiden beauty and thy trophies won through abstinence over demons. O Irene, our righteous Mother, entreat thy Bridegroom to show His mercy to us.
(Kontakion; Orthros Canon)
Vexed by terrible demons, they who brought thee their misery went away in joy, released from their tormentors through thy God-given power to cat out them that never cry: O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With great Basil and Lady Anastasia, thou didst rescue thy nun from madness and possession, receiving grace from god to save afflicted souls from the stroke of demons, whose profane devices thou fully hadst defeated.
(Ode Eight, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having thy mind and thy heart on high, thou wast not moved from thy prayer when the demons set fire to thee, for a more consuming fire held thy soul in its sweet embrace. And though thy flesh had been roasted by the flame, the smell of myrrh filled the convent with its scents and thou wast soon restored by the Savior for Whose sake thou barest all that thou mightest rescue all from the eternal fire.
(For the Praises, Third Troparion; Orthros)
As an alabaster jar or myrrh, as spikenard potent and sweet, thou didst bring Christ the ceaseless sighs of thy pure and Godlike heart, with thy rivers of fervent tears, whereat the passions withdrew and demons fled, and thou becamest a spring of miracles, which even after death thou performest for thy faithful suppliants, healing soul and body and bestowing peace on all.
(For the Praises, Fourth Troparion; Orthros)
Martyr Jerusalem
A disciple of the Holy Virgin Martyr Oraiozela, Saint Jerusalem made Christ Jesus her bridegroom and entered the monastic life. Living with the “beautiful zeal” of her Spiritual Mother (Oraiozela means “beautiful zeal”), the grace of the Lord shined from her face to the spiritual benefit of all who came into contact with her. Unable to bear such power, a demon influenced a group of pagans to abduct her for the purpose of forcing her to sacrifice to the local idols and be married. Imitating yet again Saint Oraiozela, Saint Jerusalem steadfastly refused to deny Christ or her calling despite the cruel tortures which they subjected her. When they saw that, by the grace of God, she was impervious to their machinations, she was beheaded and carried off the martyr’s crown.
Mother Eupraxia
A kinswoman of Theodosius the Great, Saint Eupraxia was betrothed at a young age to an eligible young man, the son of a prominent Senator. The young child, however, had no other desire but to consecrate herself to Christ Jesus, trading an earthly bridegroom for a heavenly one. Having set herself to this course, she had her mother take her to a monastery in the Thebaid where, despite warnings about the austerity of their way of life, she could not be persuaded and she was clothed in the monastic veil. She immediately arranged for all her possessions to be given to the poor and zealously launched herself into the ascetic life empowered by devotion to her true spouse and the grace that was poured out on her in return. Thus it was that through fasting, prayer, vigils, and obedience that she overcame a demonic assault of impure thoughts. Seeing that he could not overcome her in that manner, the Devil decided to assault her body. He caused her to fall into a well, but she was carried to safety by invoking the Name of the Lord. He caused her to wound herself in the heel with an axe, but she crushed his head under her foot through remaining always in the presence of the Lord through service to her sisters, even while injured. He caused her to injure her face near her eye, but her vision of the invisible creation remained pure and clear. Finally, she was subjected to calumny by an envious sister, but Saint Eupraxia fell down before her begging for her forgiveness. Later, when the unfortunate nun was cast from the monastery for her lies, the Saint interceded for her to be allowed to return to the sisterhood. The Devil having been utterly defeated by his foe, God granted Saint Eupraxia the power to cast out demons which she did by impassively striking people with the abbess’s staff (even those who were so severely possessed that no one else would approach them).
The Holy Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne: Sanctus, Maturus, Attalus, and Blandina
Arrested during the persecution of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius for atheism and the fabricated crimes of cannabalism and incest, the Holy Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne were subjected to ongoing and terrible tortures inspired by the demons. They endured them a heavenly impassibility that was utterly incongruous to what they suffered. They bested the demonic attack and overcame the temptation to apostasy by encouraging one another through their superhuman endurance and steadfastness in the face of extreme wickendness.
Martyr Golinduc of Persia
Though she had familial ties to the Zoroastrian religion, the Holy Martyr Golinduc was always repulsed by the worship of fire. Nevertheless, she prayed for a revelation of the True Faith, and, while she was still a pagan, she was vouchsafed a vision over the course of three days of souls in torment in Hades and another of souls rejoicing in Paradise. When she asked what she must do join those in Paradise, an angel told her that she must be baptized into Christ. Willing to stop at nothing to do so, she left her husband and parents, was catechized and then baptized into the Church. Upon returning home, she was turned into the authorities by her husband for repudiating the Mazdean religion and was thrown into prison for 18 years. But she lived those years as if it were a single day, focusing only on her love for Christ. She was granted the grace of learning first the Psalter and then the rest of Holy Scriptures by heart from other faithful Christians who she met in the prison. At the end of that time, she was delivered up to the torturers who, inspired by demons, inflicted the most heinous torturers on the Martyr to no avail. For, each night, the Lord healed her wounds. Seeing they could make no impact on her resolve they cast her into a pit that was inhabited by a dragon that was feared by all. In short order, however, Saint Golinduc had tamed the beast such that is slept each night with its head resting in her lap. After four months, they removed her from the pit and had her installed in a house of ill-repute, but she was rendered invisible to any who entered in the hopes of defiling her. Having proven utterly victorious, she was finally released from prison and exiled. Thankful for her freedom, she nevertheless offered up a prayer of lament for not having been counted worthy of the crown of martyrdom. In response, the Lord sent an angel to her who gently wounded her neck with a sword causing blood to issue forth. The angel then told her that the Lord considered that wound in addition to he sufferings to have been her martyrdom. From thenceforth she became known as the Living Martyr, and she was revered wherever she went. One day, when she nearly received communion from some Monophysite disciples of Sergius of Antioch, an angel granted her a vision of two chalices, one that held the bitter darkness of Hades from her first vision, and a second that held the warm glow of paradise. Through this and other such visions, she became a sign and firm support for the true faith to those around her.
Hymnography
Through divine instruction, thou by faith camest to know Christ our God, Who abode with those on the earth; and enlightened in the eyes of thy mind, stately Golinduc, thou didst set forth straightway, bold and unafraid, to join in battle with unseen enemies, whose brazen insolence thou didst utterly destroy; wherefore, the Lord, He that is supremely good, crowned thee with vict’ry’s crowns.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
Thou didst keep thy mind unhurt and whole while thou wast suffering wounds in confinement of many years; and, O Martyr, having been cast down into the lowest pit to pine and languish therein for many days, thou wast sustained with imperishable food; and though there dwelt with thee a pernicious dragon, thou wast never touched by its harm, O glorious prizewinner of the Lord.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
They who are guided by thee unto the Lord, O all-lauded Golinduc, have not their feet caught in the enemy’s meshes, but they trip up his ways by the Divine Spirit.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Showing diligence to be released from the confusion of passions and from treacherous delusion, O Martyr, thou didst suffer bonds with joy, binding with them all the error of the destroyer.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Christ the Lord gave thee strength to endure torments and wicked tortures, through which thou hast undone all the enemy’s devices, O wonder-worthy maiden.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With joy thou abodest in a dark and very deep pit, O venerable Golinduc, like the wondrous Daniel, being with a dragon which reverenced thee, recognizing in thee a Martyr of the sufferings of Christ.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Longing for the almighty gave thee wings, O admirable Martyr, and thou flewest above all the snares of the adversary as a dove of Christ, and wast united unto God.
(Ode Eight, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Stephen of Mar Sabas
Orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle who was a monastic, St. Stephen began living the ascetic life near the Monastery of St. Sabas even before he took the veil. As such, when he did become a monk the brethren were so impressed by his obedience and renunciation that they began to treat him with a reverence that threatened his peace. In an attempt to preserve it, he asked to live as a hermit till the celebration of Pascha that year. Receiving a blessing, he withdrew into the wilderness where he engaged in continuous battle through prayer with the demons and his passions until Great and Holy Thursday when he returned to the monastery. Having returned, the monks treated him with an even greater awe, regarding his as an angel sent to them by God. At the same time, the demons suggested that, having advanced so far beyond his fellows, he ought to lessen his ascetic efforts. When he resisted, they attempted to crush him bodily under a large boulder. Hoping to avoid the shifting sands of prelest, he fled back to his hermitage where lived in solitude for 15 years. He continued the battle by standing in prayer for long hours, then making countless prostrations all built on the spiritual foundation of perpetually increasing fasting. By such labors he was given the grace to withstand that fierce assaults of the demons. He would never let himself be idle, always busying himself with the labor necessary for his survival. Eventually, he was discovered by a small group of men whom he allowed to become his disciples. Having been ordained a priest, he was regularly filled and surrounded by the uncreated light as he served. It radiated outwards from him, burning up the demons in the area. Having become a precious vessel of the Holy Spirit purged from all passions, he was given the gift of true prophecy and clear sight which he used to recognize and drive off a demon that had a possessed a young woman. Yet, for all of this, it was his humility and love for his disciples that shown through. When one of them came to confess that he was harboring blasphemous thoughts suggested by a demon, the Saint simply caused the man to place his hand on the back of his next as the High Priest did with the goat for Azazel on the Day of Atonement, and announced that he would answer for that sin on the Day of Judgment. After that, and by Saint Stephen’s prayer, the disciple was completely freed from all such temptation.
Athanasius the Athonite
The great builder of the Holy Mountain, Saint Athanasius began his life trying to hide himself away for the sake of hesychia. As a child he did not care to join in the rambunctious games of others his age, instead retiring into the forest where he played as abbot. When admiration for his stately and sober bearing led him into the service of an imperial general, he shunned all of the rich trappings of his office instead living like apart like a hermit in a city. Eventually, the holy man entered the monastic life, where he achieved his goal of retreat from the world on Mt. Athos which was at the time populated only by hermits. The devil, seeing in the young monk a future adversary he would not be able to overcome, assaulted him with all of his strength, particularly through the temptation of acedia (idleness, sloth, restlessness, loss of interest in spiritual things, feeling vaguely unwell). His heart as dry as a desert, he thought about leaving, but committed to staying where God had placed for at least a year. On the last day, having experienced no relief and making preparations to return to the world, Saint Athanasius was filled with the uncreated light which departed to him the gifts of joy and tears. Having overcome his trial by the grace of God, the Saint became a scourge of the enemy. By his prayers, he drove away a demon that had physically paralyzed some workmen who were building him a permanent structure on the place where he had received the gift of light. Building works began radiating out from there like the rays of the sun, with the saint overseeing the work and securing financial support for the projects from imperial benefactors, including the Emperor himself. The demons responded to the assault by stirring up dissension among the growing communities, and Saint Athanasius left Athos for a time. Called to Constantinople by the the Emperor John Tzimiskis who had assassinated Nicephoros Phocas (Athanasius’s spiritual child), the Saint so impressed the man that he doubled the support the monasteries on the Holy Mountain received from the crown, and sent a wise monk from the Stoudion Monastery back to Athos with the Saint to quell the unrest. This was accomplished through an imperial edict, the Tragos, which gave the communities there an official organization; it is preserved to this day in Karyes. Thus, the devil was overcome in both the personal life of the Saint and in the community that he helped to build – both literally and spiritually. The rest of his life was attended by countless other miracles, especially among the many lepers who came to him for aid. He lovingly referred to them as the greatest treasure of the Great Lavra.
Hymnography
As we the choirs of the fathers come together, let us acclaim the lover of Christ, the namesake of immortality, the true initiate of the Savior, and the boast and pride and guide of all solitaries, who was sanctified unto the Lord from infancy; for having conceived divine love in himself, he abandoned the delusion of the world, and took Christ’s yoke upon his shoulders. He manfully put to flight the hordes of demons, showing us in his deeds that more excellent way of divine love; for walking therein, he speedily reached the true light of the Trinity, Who is able to do all things. O amazing wonder, and work of divine magnificence! For he, being earthly in nature, became equal to the angelic essences, receiving infinite glory and honor from God; and he is become an intercessor for us, that we may attain to the eternal good things in the day of judgment.
(For the Entreaty, Second Troparion; Vespers)
The all-wondrous achievements of thy life in asceticism amazed the noetic powers and astonished mortals; for in this earthly body, thou didst wrestle with invisible enemies almost as though thou hadst been without flesh. Therefore, all the generations of the pious, and above all, thy venerable flock, the shining monument to thy labors, sing of thee. It is this flock which thou didst show to be a delightful city in the wilderness, which though didst establish as the beautiful dwelling of an army of monks, which is bedecked with thy wonders and thy noble contests as with costly vesture. Through thy prayers and intercessions, O Athanasius, it asketh that it be protected by Christ, Who hath great mercy.
(For the Entreaty, Third Troparion; Vespers)
Let us sound a trumpet of song; for the grace of the Spirit, resounding more clearly than any trumpet, calleth all together to the praise of our God-bearing Father. Ye kings and princes, marvel at the true servant of the King of all, who with the whole armor of the Divine Spirit put to flight the principalities and powers of the ruler of this world. Ye shepherds and teachers, let us acclaim him who is pure in doctrine, courageous in the Faith, or lofty understanding in divine vision; in works, soaring above the clouds; in doctrine, a torrent of delight; the guide of the erring, the support of the shaken, and most compassionate towards all in infirmity. As we extol this great boast of Athos, let us all say: O Athanasius, pinnacle of the Fathers, stand by thy servants in every hour, O our Father, and by thine entreaties , save thy flock.
(For the Entreaty, Doxastikon; Vespers)
Rejoice, thou who becamest the head of the ascetics, and their unconquered champion; for cutting the roots of the passions and bravely bearing the blows of the demons’ onslaughts, thou didst overcome their utter infirmity and their error, which slayeth souls; and thou didst show forth the great strength of the Savior’s Cross, making manifest that its might is invincible. Girding thyself therewith, thou overcamest all that reject Christ God’s divine and most honored appearance unto us in the flesh. O wise Athanasius, intercede with Him to grant His great mercy to our souls.
(For the Aposticha, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Thou wast a shining pillar of light raised up in virtues and a cloud overshadowing all those on the Mount of Athos, for whom thou wentest before, leading seers of God from earth to Heaven’s heights. By parting the passions’ sea with the rod of the Savior’s Cross and overcoming the invisible Amalek, thou didst find a clear passage leading up Heavenwards; there hast thou gained thine everlasting portion, O blest of God, as with the bodiless Angels, thou now dost stand at the throne of Christ in great joy and gladness. Intercede with Him to grant His great mercy to our souls.
(For the Aposticha, Third Troparion; Vespers)
The Angel’s ranks were awed by thy life in the flesh, how, though corporeal, and clad with earthly clay, thou didst set forth with courage to invisible wars and wrestlings and didst boldly smite the hordes of the demons with mortal wounds. Wherefore, Christ rewarded thee with abundant gifts in return. Entreat Him that our souls fund salvation, O most renowned Father Athanasius.
(Apolytikion)
Making thy mind governor over the passions, and having thy footsteps guided by godly deeds, thou didst walk the good road unto the end, piously warding off the ambushes and treacheries and knaveries of the demons, since thou didst wisely choose the better.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having marvelously received thy calling from on high, thou didst inherit immortal life. For though in a body, thou didst lead the life of the bodiless on the earth, becoming invincible to passions. Therefore we extol thee, O Father:
Rejoice, bright glory of monastics; rejoice, shinning pillar of chastity.
Rejoice, far-seen token of courage; rejoice, proof of all-wise prudence.
Rejoice, impartial scales of exact justice; rejoice, thou who madest the fervency of thy deeds conformable to reason.
Rejoice, mind enjoying ineffable intellections; rejoice, thou who didst reverently study all creation.
Rejoice, thou by whom demons have been shamed; rejoice, thou by whom every passion is slain.
Rejoice, haven for those in the tempest of life; rejoice, savior of them that faithfully cry to thee:
Rejoice, O Father Athanasius.
(Ikos; Orthros Canon)
Vigorously thrusting back the principalities and powers of darkness, O Athanasius, thou becamest a mighty teacher and saving guide, laying bare their treacheries and ambushes and guile, and preserving thy flock unharmed from all the demons’ villainy.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Truly precious in Thy sight, O Christ, hath been the death of Thy Saint; for behold, even after death, how Thy servant wondrously hath gushed forth from his holy foot a spring of blood, which doth ever drive away all kinds of sickness; and it doth put to flight spirits of wickedness, which this blessed man while yet alive on earth fought against with bold resistance even unto blood.
(For the Praises, First Troparion; Orthros)
Christ the Lord hath shown us mortal men thy relics ven’rable shrine as a fountain of miracles and a river filled with gifts, Athanasius supremely wise. For it hath granted their sight unto the blind and hath purged elephantitis away; it cleanseth leprosy; and those vexed with unclean spirits are set free from the demons’ power and they are made sound and whole.
(For the Praises, Second Troparion; Orthros)
Tikhon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Amathus on Cyprus
As a child, Saint Tikhon showed signs of his devotion to the gospel by giving to the poor all the loaves his father, a baker, had given him to sell in the market. When his father angrily confronted him about what he had done, the Saint simply assured him that they would see their recompense from the Lord. Sure enough, the next time they went into their storeroom, it was full of the wheat they used for baking. With such a natural inclination for almsgiving, it was no surprise that, after being made a Deacon, he was put in charge of distributing the Church’s goods. As a teacher of the Faith, he multiplied converts like the wheat in his barns. Such effective ministrations continued after he was made Bishop of Amathus, his argumentation fortified by miracles. One such feat was the casting out of demons by the grace of God. He continued this help for faithful even after death. One day, a family came to the Saint’s grave asking his intercession for their daughter who was possessed by a demon and had been rendered deaf and dumb. When nothing happened, they left, the parents accusing themselves of a failure to properly repent. At that moment, Saint Tikhon appeared and encouraged them to persist in their prayers. At that moment, the demon fled the child crying out that he cold not bear the Wonderworking Saint’s boldness before the Lord, and that had driven him out.
Hymnography
As a vessel of the Divine Spirit, O Hierarch, thou art an expeller of evil spirits, a cleanser of passions, and a healer of maladies.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The evil one availed not to shake the house of thy soul, O God-inspired Father; for thou truly stoniest on the rock of truth, made strong with divine might.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Adorned with the wisdom of God, arrived at the height of virtues, and being lowly of heart, O most sacred Tikhon, thou didst destroy the swollen conceit of the evil one by grace.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
As it is written, a crown of graces was set upon thy divine head, O Father, when thou didst raise up the victory over the enemy and didst sing: O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
(Ode Seven, Three Troparion; Orthros Canon)
From childhood thou didst turn away from a childish mind, and with a mature understanding thou didst cast down the ancient inventor of evil, O Tikhon, as thou didst shout: O ye works, bless ye the Lord.
(Ode Eight, Fifth Troparion; Orthros Canon)
James, who through Deception Venerated the Devil
Eager to test himself with great feats of asceticism, Saint James sought solitude before he was ready for it against the instructions of his spiritual father. Closing himself off in a cave, he hurled himself into a battle he did not understand, and, his efforts having seemingly been met with success, a destructive pride took root in his soul. After some time, a demon appeared to him the guise of an angel of light and told him to prepare himself because the Lord Himself would come to fill him with His Divine grace to an even greater degree. Having been thoroughly deceived, the disobedient and pretentious solitary made his preparations and, when a glorious figure appeared, Saint James prostrated himself before him. The devil, for that is who had actually appeared, then struck the man on the head and disappeared. Distraught and defeated, the monk left his retreat and went in tears to a holy elder who lived nearby. Seeing Saint James, the holy man exclaimed that he had been made a plaything of Satan, and instructed him to go and live the coenobitic life in a monastery. Obeying as he should have in the beginning, Saint James went and did just that. After long years of humility and obedience, he was given the blessing to retire to his cell where, as a well-seasoned warrior, he was able to achieve those things he had once tried to achieve out pf pride and out of order. Through faithfully keeping the strict rule of prayer given by his spiritual father, God eventually counted him worthy of the grace to work miracles. Redeemed and restored from his grievous fall, Saint James departed this life in peace.