Category: How Demons Attack

Posts that include descriptions of the various ways in which demons attack mankind.

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Martyr Laurence the Archdeacon of Rome

When Pope Saint Sixtus was denounced and arrested under the policies of the Emperor Valerian, Saint Laurence, his deacon, wanted to join him immediately in his sufferings. But the holy Bishop put him off to administer the affairs of the Church, foretelling that he would face even greater challenges. Longing to suffer, with His Father and Christ, Laurence set about his work with haste, faithfully distributing the Church’s goods to the poor and ensuring the election of the next Pope despite the persecution the Church faced. Having completed his task, he returned to the cortege before Pope Sixtus’ martyrdom had been accomplished and took his place at his side as as the Holy Table. Having heard him speak of the treasures of the Church, the Saint was made to appear before the Emperor and ordered to reveal the location of the riches. The Holy Deacon asked for three carts, took them into the city, loaded them with the poor and the sick and the lame, and brought them back to Valerian, presenting them as the true riches of the Church. Infuriated by this display of heavenly virtue, the tyrant demanded that Laurence sacrifice to idols or suffer torture and death. The Martyr replied by saying he would never worship the impotent demons that inhabited the idols in lieu of the Creator of all. As a result, he was cast into prison and tortured until he could be interrogated twice more. Each time he returned to the prison, God granted him the grace to work countless miracles for the imprisoned faithful, encouraging them to hold fast to the Faith. Finally, being placed on a grid iron, after some time he quipped that he was done on one side and needed to be turned over, so that he could properly offer himself as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Though the flames were to him as moist as dew, he gave up his soul to the Lord as a victorious athlete and soldier of Christ.

Hymnography
Having with thee the trophy of the Cross, O wondrous Laurence, thou didst advance mightily against thine adversaries; and when thou overcamest, thou wast shown to be a crown-bearer.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Walled about with the law of the life that is in Christ, O Martyr Laurence, thou didst not incline thy mind unto the legislators of death and corruption, as thou didst sing: O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.
(Ode Seven, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)

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Theodora of Sihla

Married but unable to bear children, Saint Theodora and her husband entered a monastery in Moldavia. Not long after, however, the Turks invaded and she fled into the mountains with her Spiritual Mother. Dwelling in the wilderness, they showed manly courage battling both the conditions and the demons which never ceased to assault them. Emerging victorious over the passions and the adversary, she lived life as a new Mary of Egypt, dedicated to the Jesus Prayer. She spent her nights in prayer and her days in fasting, drinking only rainwater that gathered in the cleft of a rock that miraculously flowed like a spring. The Turkish scourge continued to ravage the region, and she gave up her cell to other nuns that had been driven from their monastery as well. Seeing this as a chance to regain some ground, the demons renewed their attacks, but they proved as powerless as before, unable to even get the attention of the athlete of Christ who treated them with utter disdain. Similar to her Egyptian predecessor, she was discovered by two monks that had been guided to her retreat by a pillar of light. Asking for a cloak to cover her nakedness, she greeted the men and begged for them to send a priest to her with the Holy Gifts. After receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, she departed this life in peace, her body giving off the fragrance of paradise.

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Nicanor the Wonderworker of Mount Callistratus

Born to childless parents after a vision of the Great Martyr Means, Saint Nicanor was raised in piety and in the love of Holy Scriptures. His ged parents having departed this life, the Saint quickly gave all of his possessions to the poor and became a monastic. After being made a Deacon, he heard a voice telling him to retire to Mount Callistratus where he would find hesychia. He found a high and inaccessible cave where he gave himself to unceasing prayer and extreme fasting. Hoping to impede his progress, the Devil assailed the Holy Ascetic with endless trials, but he overcame through the Name of Christ and the sign of Cross. The light of Christ shining through him was so bright that it could not be hidden, and he was soon surrounded by disciples who helped him to build a monastery and several dependencies that were renowned for their careful attention to the Typikon of Mar Sabas.

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Theodosius the New, the Wonderworker

Born in Athens, Saint Theodosius chose to pursue the Philosophy of the Kingdom rather than that of the world, and, as soon as he was able, received the Angelic Habit and departed for the wilderness in search of silence. There he was vouchsafed a vision of another desert-dweller, St. John the Forerunner, who encouraged him in the ascetic life and tasked him with building a Church. Overcoming the flesh and advancing in the direct experience of God, Saint Theodosius was granted the grace to work miracles and cast out demons. Motivated by fear, the Devil incited some unscrupulous men to accuse the Man of God of performing magic through the aid of demons. Banished by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Saint endured his exile with patience until the truth of the situation was revealed by a vision from the Lord. Thus, he vanquished the enemy through humility and obedience.

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Martyr Dometius of Persia

While searching for the truth about God as a young boy in Mesopotamia, a holy man who was passing through introduced Saint Dometius to the Christian Faith. That brief conversation filled him with zeal and an insatiable hunger for the Lord. He immediately entered the monastery where he skipped the refectory but devoured the Holy Scriptures. In order not to be a source of scandal or division amongst the brethren, he left for the wilderness. Along the way, he was approached by a man who offered to guide him and a group of pilgrims he had encountered to another monastery which was more suitable to his way of life. But after being led deeper into a desolate and unforgiving land of cliffs and clefts, Saint Dometius realized that they were being led astray by a demon, and he quickly drove the deceiver away by his prayers. Finally arriving at his destination, the eventual Martyr found a Spiritual Father whom he imitated with precision. Becoming a hermit, he lived in extreme asceticism till the day when, denounced to Julian the Apostate by some jealous locals, he was set upon in his cave and carried off the martyr’s crown.

Hymnography
The whole armor of the Cross didst thou put on thee with courage; and the indestructible breastplate of the Faith of Christ girded thee about. Thus wast thou terrible to the fierce battalions of the demons, whom thou dravest off wielding the dreaded scourge of thy steadfast faith and thy prayers to God; and from the demons’ wicked harm, thou didst save the wayfarers found with thee , O our righteous Father Dometius, thou servant of Christ God, Whom do thou boldly implore for us, praying in our souls behalf.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion of the Saint; Vespers)

Thou didst endure temptation furiously hurled against thee by the enemy and adversary, O all-blessed Dometius; and being tried in many ways and contending with his malice, thou didst prove the victor, O admirable Martyr.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)

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John of Chozeba

A Romanian orphan, Saint John became a monastic at the prompting of the Lord Himself who promised to be with the young boy as he wept at the grave of the grandmother who raised him. The grace of God enlightened his intelligence and he served the Church by translating spiritual books from Greek into his native language for the benefit of his countrymen. After serving as abbot of the Romanian monastery in the Jordan Valley during the Second World War, the Saint was finally allowed to seek hesychia in a cave where Saint Anna, the mother of the Theotokos had prayed. For seven years he devoted himself to ceaseless prayer, the composition of hymns, and spiritual reading. His way of life being a threat to the demons, they attacked him mercilessly with the hope of driving him from his cave, but he easily repulsed them by quoting the services of the Church. Being made aware of the date of his departure in a vision, Saint John peacefully gave his soul into God’s hands in his cave. During his funeral, his body was adorned by a flock of wild birds who lamented his passing with their song. 20 years later, his body was found to be incorrupt. His relics were translated to the Monastery of Chozeba where they are venerated to this day.

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Basil the Blessed, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Moscow

An ascetic from his early childhood, Saint Basil the Blessed took upon himself the peculiar ascesis of a Fool for Christ which, by God’s grace, experienced a flowering in 16th Century Russia. The most famous of these ascetics in that land, many of the most characteristic behaviors associated with that way of life were present in the life of the saint. For example, when passing the dwellings of those who lives in repentance and holiness, he cast stones at the corners of the houses. He explained that, because demons were not welcome in such homes, they congregated outside searching for a way in. Pelted by the Saint’s prayers symbolized by the rocks, they were driven away from those homes.

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Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr

The Holy Protomartyr Stephen appeared to the Priest Lucian to reveal the location of his relics which had been lost. First, they were translated to the Church of Holy Sion in Jerusalem in the year 415 with many miracles attending the event. Later, they were translated to the Imperial city of Constantinople, once again, accompanied by signs and wonders. One such event was the casting out of some demons that were hiding amongst the waves of the sea in Chalcedon. When the relics passed by, the demons cried out that they were being burned by the fire of the uncreated light which radiated out from the holy relics.

Hymnography
With the light of the Spirit, thou shonest brilliantly, and with the only true wisdom, thou wast exalted, O Saint; wherefore thou didst drive away the darkness of the Jews, and didst hurl down our common foe as an athlete in the fray; hence, thou art the crown of Martyrs. Now intercede with the Lord God that He may show His mercy to our souls.
(Sessional Hymn, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Thou hast appeared unto the world like a beautiful daybreak, O glorious Stephen, driving off the gloom, chasing away demonic specters, and healing the sufferings of the sick and the sores of spiritual maladies, O inspired of God.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)

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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)

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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.