An elite soldier of the Byzantine army, the first Athonite was captured and imprisoned by Arab forces. Remembering in the darkness of his prison that he had vowed to become a monk in his youth, Saint Peter began his repentance and was enrolled in the Lord’s army. After being set free from prison by Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker and Saint Symeon the God-Receiver, Saint Peter was sent to sack the demonic stronghold on Mount Athos which Christ Jesus had given to His Holy Mother as her garden. After his arrival, he climbed the mountain and found a cave that had become a lair of beasts and demons. Without any hesitation, he settled there out of obedience and trust in the Lord, and the demons fled in the wake of such childlike faith. Infuriated by the onslaught of his prayer, the Devil sent his forces to attack him with frightful noises, and visions of arrows and high-pressured geysers. Saint Peter simply called out to the Theotokos and the demonic devices vanished. Realizing their attempts at artifice had failed, the demons stirred up all the wild animals and reptiles of the region and sent them against him as well, but they too were put to flight by the Name of the Lord and the sign of His cross. Victorious in battle, the holy ascetic steadily grew in virtue and the likeness of Christ. Knowing that he could not defeat Saint Peter, the Devil resorted to deception to try to get him to abandon his post. He disguised himself as a servant and presented himself to the Man of God reminding him of his parents and promising to find him a retreat closer to the city where they lived. Though he was affected by the vision, he told the youth that he had not been given leave to depart by the One who had sent him. Some years later, the demon tried yet again appearing to Saint Peter as an angel of light, but the ascetic replied that he was not deceived because he knew he was unworthy to entertain angels. Lashed by his humility as if with fire, the demon retreated yet again. By the end of his life, the Holy Mountain was being settled by an increasing number of monks, a testament to his success in battle. Even after death he continued putting the enemy to shame – a demon was cast out of a man when he touched the body of the Saint, and a man sent by the Devil to burn the holy relics was stopped by an unseen hand.
Hymnography
With what fair crowns of praise shall we crown the illustrious Peter of Athos? Name for him that led the Apostles’ choir and who himself led the Angel’s life, the rock of divine faith in Christ Savior; that summit of Holy Athos and its champion; the Virgin and Theotokos’s initiate; that indestructible anvil on the which were broken all the evil one’s treacheries; he who hath received bright crowns from heaven for all his victories.
(Lord, I have cried; First Troparion of Saint Peter)
Founded upon the unbreakable rock of faith with unwavering firmness, thou, O righteous Peter, wast not cast down by the assaults of the enemy or by all his multiform illusions; but rather, on stripping naked all his wickedness, thou leddest thy life in stillness and nakedness beyond the limits of nature, whereby thou hast put on the bright robe of gladness and joy by grace, and thou hast passed on to light never dimmed with eventide.
(Lord, I have cried; Third Troparion of Saint Peter)
Notable Athos, the holy inheritance of the Theotokos, glorieth in thy struggles, O all-blessed Peter. For ascending into this mountain, thou didst lift thy mind up to the everlasting mountains; and passing thy life in the unyielding practice of the virtues, though didst prove to be an immovable rock of patient endurance. For in thy steadfast purpose, O Father, thou didst endure the frenzied illusions of darkness and the many necessities of nature. Wherefore, at the sight of thine endurance Angels marveled, the demons trembled, and the Church is astonished, and crieth with exceeding gladness unto Him that gave thee strength: O Lord, glory be to Thee.
(For the Entreaty; Third Troparion)
Rejoice, star of Mount Athos most bright, thou Godlike dweller of the Mountain brought up thereon, thou sword cutting down the demons and hurling down their assaults; O unsleeping eye of stillness great in prayer; thou true and beloved friend of the pure Mother of our God, for, being cherished by her vigilant providence, thou didst dash the designs of the enemy. Blessed art thou, O Peter, mighty rock indestructible, thou living rule of invincible perseverance for hesychoasts. Implore Christ the Savior to grant pardon of our sins and great mercy to our souls.
(Second Troparion of the Aposticha)
To the Mountain of Athos thou rannest eagerly, led by the marvelous providence of the Mother of God; and thy way of life astonished mortals mightily. For thou didst live in nakedness and didst put to open shame malign Belial completely with thy persistent endurance, O Father Peter, glory of the Saints.
(Sessional Hymns after the Second Reading from the Psalter, Doxastikon; Orthros)
Ye who dwelt in the desert and showed it forth as a city, O marvelous pair of Saints, O glorious Onuphrios, and divine Peter, blest are ye. For the one dwelt in Egypt as thou incorporeal, while the other on Athos heaped shame on the dragon’s head. Wherefore, ye are heirs of every heavenly blessing, the Angel’s beloved friends, their companions and peers on high, unto whom we cry out with faith: Intercede with Christ our God that forgiveness of all their transgressions be granted to them that with longing keep your holy memory.
(Sessional Hymns after the Polyeleos, First Troparion; Orthros)
Thy servant Peter, having thy help, O immaculate Lady, destroyed with a staunch spirit the enemy’s cunning treacheries.
(Ode Three, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
Thou wentest forth naked to the strife and contest, O Saint, and thou didst strip naked all the foe’s devices by thine unwavering constancy. Struggling in the shadow of Mount Athos in labors, thou didst cast the demon’s foul despite down in ruin. For this, O blessed Peter, did Christ show thee forth marvellous.
(Sessional Hymns after Ode Three, Doxastikon; Orthros Canon)
The ven’rable Peter, having found thee truly to be a gracious defender and a speedy helper in war, O Virgin unstained and pure, calling on thy hallowed name, he threw down the devil, running to the end the course of God-pleasing virtues; and now he doth behold the pure light of thy great majesty.
(Sessional Hymns after Ode Three, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
The swarms of demons, beholding thy way of life, fell upon thee with all manner of treacheries; but their madness was defeated by thy constancy, O Peter, as thou didst fix thy gaze upon the grace of God.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Raging against thee with all his power, the guileful enemy appeared with a multitude of archers frantic with martial fury; but thou, clothed with the whole armor of the all-pure Virgin, didst turn to flight his wanton audacity.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The godly-minded Peter, cleansed in mind and poetically beholding the thy glory, O only transcendently glorious and Lady graced of God, manfully endured the villainies of the demons and hurled their presumption to the ground.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
The crafty foe, waxing wanton against thee, set upon thee in the form of terrible serpents and wild beasts; but thou didst dash him to the ground with the invocation of the all-pure Virgin.
(Ode Six, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Protected by the immaterial overseeing of the Theotokos, thou didst pass unhurt through the plots of the dragon, O God-bearing Peter, and didst water Athos with the sweat of thy struggles.
(Ode Six, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
In the form of thy domestic servant, and of an archangel of the Lord of Hosts, the enemy of what is good came to lead thee into error, unerring star that thou wast, but he was put to shame by thy prayers.
(Ode Seven, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
How shall I laud thy life, and thy trophies against the demons? For thou didst contend like an immaterial being in a material body and threwest down the enemy’s tens of thousands of treacheries.
(Ode Seven, Of Saint Peter, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thy hallowed reliquary is an inexhaustible source of healing, which endeth the cruel violence of grievous diseases and manifestly chaseth away unclean spirits; for the divine grace dwelling therein worth strange wonders.
(Ode Nine, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art the chief of hesychasts on Mount Athos, completing mighty struggles beyond all measure: Hence, O righteous Peter, we all call thee blest, as the unshaken rock of faith which to the end dashed to pieces the fierce assaults of the demons.
(Exapostalaria, Of Saint Peter; Orthros)
Peter, righteous boast of Athonites, the bright achievements and feats of they conflicts and victories and the high singular prizes won by thy way of life amaze our minds and confirm our souls in faith, while turning back in defeat demons’ troops. What labors thou didst bear! Living out thy life as incorporeal, naked and unsheltered from the ruthless elements.
(For the Praises, Of Saint Peter, First Troparion; Orthros)
Swayed by the Virgin’s divine behest , thou wentest zealously forth to Mount Athos to lead a life of relentless discipline far transcending the fallen world. Upon destroying the demons’ phantasies, thou didst receive bread of Angels for thy food. What grace most marvelous was bestowed on thee as thy reward from God, O God-bearing Peter, for thy pains in solitude.
(For the Praises, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros)
Category: Bodily Harm
Indicates saints who suffered bodily harm in their attack by the demons.
Martyr Constantine, the Muslim Convert
Born of Muslim parents, Saint Constantine was blinded as a youth by a malicious magician who, prompted by a demon, gave him a poison potion to drink. Bedridden for three years as a result, his desperate mother heeded the suggestion of a Christian woman to have him submerged in a miraculous pool. Like a foreshadowing of his eventual baptism, the holy Martyr was healed and a seed of salvation was planted in his heart which was watered each time he heard someone teaching about the Christian Faith. This eventually led him to the Holy Mountain he converted and began to responsibly cultivate a desire to give his life as a thank offering to Christ in imitation of the holy martyrs. Put off from this purpose for a time by his spiritual father, Saint Constantine traveled to Magnesia to affect the conversion of his sister. During this trip he was recognized by a Turk and was arrested as an apostate from Islam. This circumstance fanned the flame of his desire which had been as a smoldering coal, and the holy Martyr was given the courage to endure. Again at the prompting of a demon, his torturer devised a metal helmet meant to both retain heat and place a crushing pressure on the sides of his head. This helmet was heated in the fire and placed on Saint Constantine’s head. Meant for evil, the device became for him the helmet of salvation in the armor of God. When they began to cut and beat him, a golden cross appeared on his chest which became impervious to their assaults. Seeing they could do nothing else to the Martyr, he was bung upside down for the night where he suffered demonic attacks in the form of various temptations and apparitions. Saint Constantine, however, had been purified by the refiners fire, and easily repulsed the assault on his soul. He was further strengthened by a vision of the Mother of God who told him that he would survive to bear witness of her Son in Constantinople, but would eventually carry off the martyr’s crown . There a kindly priest offered to have him released, but the Saint declined. Appearing before the judge, he suggested that the judge be converted. The enraged man instead ordered that he be beaten and hung. Thus, the prophecy of the Theotokos came to pass, and Saint Constantine proved himself to be a faithful servant of the Lord to the end.
Andrew the Fool for Christ
A slave of slavic origin who resided in Constantinople in the service of a high ranking member of the Imperial Guard, Saint Andrew took on the extreme Davidic ascesis of feigned madness after he was granted a vision one night during prayer. In this vision, God revealed that he had been enlisted in the struggle against out true enemies, “the principalities,…the powers,…the world rulers of this darkness,…and…the evil spiritual forces of the supernatural realms.” He was told to pursue this course as a fool for Christ, and he obeyed immediately the next day by tearing his clothes and wailing in a loud voice. Irony of ironies, his master thought him possessed and had him committed to the Church of Saint Anastasia Pharmocolytria where he was held in chains. There his struggle began in earnest – he gave himself over to various kinds of bizarre behavior by day and to prayer by night. Having bursted into the view of the Evil One like a burning sun, one night he was set upon by a horde of demons trying to snuff out his torch in its infancy. Andrew, however, sought the aid of the holy and glorious Apostle John the Theologian who drove off the demons with a thunderous clap from the physical chains that bound the holy Fool. The friend of Christ also promised Saint Andrew that he would be his ever-present help in his ongoing battle against the darkness.
Once his captors realized that he was a threat to the demons only rather than to himself or others, they released him, and Andrew began to freely wander the city. This allowed him to deepen his humility by voluntarily bearing the spitting and insults of the crowds in imitation of our Lord and Master at the Passion. In fact, in another vision in which he was taken up into the third heaven, the Lord revealed that this was his particular mission for the overthrow of the Prince of this world. When the people began to repent of their sins through the Holy Fool’s prophetic ministry and imitate his downward path of humility according to their measure, the demons reproached him for despoiling their possessions. Andrew responded by rebuking them with the Lord’s authority. Enraged at their impotence, for they had no claim on him, they contrived to cause the Saint to fall into a pit of the earth. But the Holy Fool was delivered by the calling upon the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul who drew him out of the pit as the Lord drew the Prince of the Apostles from the sea.
Sometime later, a plague broke out in the city, and Saint Andrew spent his days walking up and down the streets praying with tears for the people, their healing and the forgiveness of their sins. One day, while at prayer, he was transported by the Spirit, like another Saint Philip, to Anaplous to meet with Saint Daniel the Stylite who suggested that they join together in their prayers for the deliverance of the capital city. The Lord answered by fire from heaven, casting out the demon who had instigated the epidemic.
By the end of his life, he was able to distinguish between different demonic spirits at a glance as well as the state of the souls of those with whom he interacted. This allowed him, as an experienced soldier in the army of the Lord, to devise deft plans of spiritual combat to counteract the work of the evil one in the lives of the faithful if they would but heed his instruction.
Martyr Meletius the General
The piety and faith of the Roman General Meletius was such that, fearing their destruction at his hands, the demons of Galatia, his duty station, abandoned the idols they had previously inhabited and possessed a pack of stray dogs. In this guise they began roaming the city seeking Christians to attack. Making use of military tactics in spiritual warfare, Saint Meletius led a small band of Christian soldiers as well as some angels sent by God, to stalk and kill the beasts, expelling the demons by splitting them in two as did Abraham when made his covenant with God. Seeking to cut off any retreat, this General of the Lord’s army, went to the pagan temple and crushed the lifeless pagan idols by his prayer. Their mission completed, Saint Meletius and his human companions were arrested, tortured to no avail, and finally martyred, Meletius by hanging on a pine tree. The pagan sorcerer Callinicus was martyred along with them, having confessed Christ after seeing that his magic spells had no effect whatsoever on the holy hoplites.
Symeon the Younger, Stylite of the Wondrous Mountain
A living pillar of the Church, Saint Symeon revealed himself to be a seasoned warrior of the Lord from the tender age six by becoming a stylite in imitation of his Spiritual Father, John. Seeing in his way of life an indication of the way into the Kingdom, the Saint sought to decisevly put the “Old Man” to death in his infancy, by matching, and even exceeding, the spiritual labors of his elder (Romans 6:6). Ever victorious in his battle with the demons who hurled themselves against him, Symeon was consoled and strengthened after each attack by visions sent from the Lord. In one of these, he was anointed with a sweet-scented oil that drove back the demon hordes. Thus, he laid his foundation on the rock of Christ such that he could not be shaken by a storm sent by the Devil to topple him. From then he began to beg God to release him from the tyranny of nature, the blameless passions, and began to fast more severely and to keep vigil on his pillar. This progress in the ascetic life caused the demons to become even more fierce in their opposition, but the Saint easily dispatched them with he help of three angels sent by God to defend him. From then on, Saint Symeon simply commanded the enemies of mankind with the voice of authority and restored the afflicted with a word. The Emperor Justin II once wrote the holy stylite a letter informing him that his daughter had been possessed by a demon. The Saint simply told Justin that he should give thanks to God because his daughter would be delivered as soon as he received his return letter. After always having striven heavenward in both body and soul, Saint Symeon died in peace, and his soul was taken to Paradise by the angels he so closely resembled.
Hymnography
Thy divine life shone with the splendor of revelations; and filled with the fragrance of their divine myrrh, thou, like an athlete in contest, didst cut down the assailing hordes of demons, O servant of God.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The enemy, frenziedly shooting with his bow, emptied his quiver of soul-slaying arrows, but was unable to shake the tower of thy soul, O God-bearer; for it was firmly established on the unbreakable rock of Christ.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
When the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit divinely took up its abode in thee, it moved all those maddened by evil spirits to hasten to thee from the farthest parts; and healing them with thy palm staff, thou toughest them thus: Praise the Creator unto the ages.
(Ode Eight, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Pachomius the Great
Saint Pachomius the Great, the founder of the coenobitic life and a bright star in the Orthodox firmament, laid the foundation of his God-pleasing life by embracing asceticism out of an all-consuming love for the Lord. Under the direction of a particularly severe spiritual father, his manner of life consisted of long hours of prayer, alone and especially during the night, and with intense fasting, all for the purpose of keeping the remembrance of God first and foremost in his mind and heart. During his night vigil he was often attacked by the demons, but he was able to put them to flight by rebuking them and lifting up praise to God. When their attacks became more severe, he resolved not to sleep until God had routed the invisible enemy, offering his suffering the the Lord as a sweet smelling sacrifice. Seeing such a firm foundation built upon the rock of Christ, the Lord sent an angel with a rule for living the monastic life in a community as well as people who would be governed by that rule. The rule was marked by a heavenly adaptability which made it appropriate for the novice as well as the most advanced while also allowing both to live the common life together. As the leader of the community, the man of God was given the gift of insight which allowed him to be a true physician of the soul, the healing of which he regarded as far superior to the healing of the body. In response to his prayer, the Lord healed the sick and delivered those who had been possessed by demons. In all of this, Saint Pachomius cultivated humility by submitting everything to the will of God, refusing to resort to coercion of God or man. If the Lord heard his prayer and acted, then thanks be to God; if not, he never let his countenance fall or his heart be troubled. In either circumstance he saw only one true remedy, the Name of Christ and the cultivation of life in His presence. This closeness to the Lord allowed him faithfully uncover illnesses of soul and body and their sources — whether the demons or the passions — and to apply the correct course of treatment.
Hymnography
When thou hadst been raised above all things of sense and perception, thou most purely didst converse with the Master, having passed far beyond the flesh; for with they valiant mind, thou didst conquer passions and cats down and trample underfoot demons’ audacity, O all-honored Father Pachomius. And now as thou dost dwell on high in the tabernacles of Heaven’s courts, keep all in remembrance who honor thy memorial with joy, as thou, O blest one, dost boldly stand in the holy presence of Christ.
(Third Troparion of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)
We, the multitudes of monastics, honor thee, our teacher, O Pachomius, our Father; for through thee have we learned to walk the path that is truly straight. Blessed are thou, who hast labored for Christ, and hast triumphed over the might of the enemy, O companion of the angels, and co-dweller of the righteous and the just. Together with them, do thou intercede with the Lord that He have mercy on our souls.
(Doxastikon of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)
Not enduring to behold the earnestness of thine asceticism, O righteous and God-bearing Father, the hordes of the adversaries devised diverse temptations for thee.
(Ode Three, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst trample upon the devices of the spirits of destruction, O Father, since thou wast clad in the power of thy Master and fenced about with the precious cross.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Righteous Job the Long-Suffering
In the Old Testament book that bears his Name, the Lord holds up Job to Satan as a uniquely faithful servant in his time. The accuser, hoping to add the righteous one to his rebellion, challenges God to withdraw his hand of protection so that the he can strike his possessions, family, and his health. The enemy of mankind asserts that if the Lord allowed this, that Job would respond by cursing him. God permits Satan to proceed so that his glory and righteousness can be revealed through his servant. Having lost all but his life, Job goes into mourning failing to understand why these things have befallen him. Hearing of his misfortunes, Job’s friends come to mourn and speak with him. They suggest that he is being punished for some sin that he has committed in the past, but Job is unaware of anything for which he needs to repent. The friends then accuse him of trying to justify and declare himself righteous over and against God’s judgment. The righteous one denies this as well explaining that, even if he was not aware of anything for which he could reproach himself, he could still not justify himself before God for no one is righteous before Him. Finding no consolation from his friends but only further torment, Job asks to be judged by God directly. The Lord responds by speaking directly to him describing his creation of all things as well as his care and rule over the smallest of details, including Job’s trials which were not allowed as a punishment but to reveal God’s righteousness. Having realized that his very suffering constituted a revelation of the incomprehensibility of the unfathomable God, Job confesses that in the past he had heard about the Lord, but that now, seeing Him, he truly regards himself as just dust and ashes. As such, he intercedes that his friends be forgiven of their sins. In response to his humility and trust, the Lord restores Job, giving Him more blessings than he had previously received. Thus, he triumphs over the wiles of the enemy by his humility and a true understanding of who he is and Who God is.
Hymnography
Thinking it would not be easy to overturn the just man while he was fenced about with wealth, the adversary requested him, and violently wrestling with him when he was naked, was himself cast down and broken; for through his patience, the just man cried out: Let us sing unto our God, for gloriously is He glorified.
(Ode One, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Through a wife’s words the serpent, the author of evil, struck at thees he did to the author of our race; but he that boasted without measure was cheated of his villainy.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Come, let us all bless Job, that pure and blameless man, who in the Spirit’s strength was an immovable and mighty pillar that stood firm before all the foe’s devices. Let us sing his praise in faith; he is truly a very great servant of our Savior Christ, and he pleaders in our behalf, imploring Christ with earnest entreaty to rescue our should from every peril.
(Sessional Hymn, Orthros Canon)
Having built an invincible stronghold for thy soul, O glorious one, thou didst courageously withstand the terrible billows of the enemy.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
The adversary of the just, though he smote thee with evil sores and stripped thee of thy goods, was not able to bow down the tenor of thy soul; but thou didst cry out in song: O God of our Fathers, blessed are Thou.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Job is worthily crowned with the splendor of patience, but thou, O Satan, dost lament and art dejected, unable to bear the crowning of the just man; for having cherished vain hopes, thou hast been put to shame, O thou who alone art utterly hostile to the just.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Joannicius of Devich
A lover of prayer and solitude, Saint Joannicius led the ascetic life in a cave on the Ibar River in eastern Serbia. Later, having established a monastery for the faithful who had gathered around him, he fled deeper into the wilderness of Devich in Kosovo where he lived in complete solitude for many years. There he held off the assaults of the demons who tried in vain to interrupt his ceaseless prayer of the heart. Word eventually came to the Despot of Serbia, George Brankovich (Saint Maksim), who brought his daughter who was mentally ill and possessed by a demon to the hermit, seeking his aide. Saint Joannicius delivered her by his prayer, and her grateful father had a church and monastery built there to thank God for his benefactions through his servant. After his death, the saint’s relics continued to work healings, especially for those tormented by the demons and mental illness.
The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark
During his missionary journeys in Egypt, the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the author of the Gospel that bears his name, cast out a demon from a blind child. Overcome with joy, the child’s parents wanted to pay Saint Mark for his services, but he instructed them to give it in alms instead. This miracle of deliverance resulted in many converts to the faith, and, as a result, a church was founded in the city. Continuing his journey, he eventually arrived in Libya where he heard about a woman who had recently died after having been tormented by a demon since childhood. The woman was restored to life by his prayer, and this, too, resulted in many converts to the faith.
Hymnography
Once Thou modest upon the arms of the Virgin and showiest to destruction the demon-altars of Egypt; and then again Thou sestets Mark thither, to give all men understanding of Thine Incarnation and divine mystery, O my Christ.
(Ode Three, Theotokion, Orthros Canon)
When thou becomes a disciple of the Chief Apostle, and with him didst preach Christ as the Son of God, thou modest steadfast on the rock of truth them that were storm-tossed with error. On this rock make me steadfast also, and guide the steps of my soul aright; that, being delivered from the snares of the enemy, I may glorify thee without hindrance. For thou hast enlightened all men, O wise Mark, by preaching the Gospel of divine renown.
(Oikos, Orthros Canon)