Inspired by the holy reputation of Saint Athanius Bishop of Tarsus, Saint Anthusa desired to learn the Christian Faith from him. Saint Basil having appeared to her in a dream while still living, the girl recognized him while on a journey to Cilicia. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, she immediately requested baptism at which point a miraculous spring burst forth from dry land, and it was in these waters that the Holy Bishop baptized Saint Anthusa. Upon coming out of the font-not-made-with-hands, two angels appeared and clothed her with the white robe of the neophyte. After explaining to her mother that she had become a Christian, she was confirmed in her virginity by Saint Athanasius, and blessed to flee to the desert where she spent twenty years in extreme asceticism amongst the wild beasts who gamboled at her pure feet. While Saint Athansisus was put to death during Valerian’s persecution, Saint Anthusa put to death her passions in constant striving against the flesh and the Devil. The Evil One often appeared to her in the guise of a hermit monk asking her to come and pray with Him. But the purity of her nous was such that she could see through his schemes, and she routinely put him to flight with the Name above all Names. As a reward for her contest and her voluntary martyrdom in the desert, an angel appeared to her one day at prayer explaining that she was to receive the martyr’s crown. With that assurance, the athlete of Christ laid down in peace and gave her soul into God’s hands. Her incorrupt body was found in her cave four years later by Christians who were astonished to see that her flesh was still warm as if she were just asleep.
Category: Temptation
Indicates saints who were attacked by the demons in the form of demonic temptation.
Elias the New of Sicily
A new Joseph the All-comely, Saint Elias was initiated into the Divine Council through dreams and visions. As such, he was able to accurately foretell future events, including his being taken as a slave to North Africa. There he was bought by a wealthy Christian merchant whose household was blessed due to the presence of the Saint. The Devil attempted to bring about his downfall by stoking lustful thoughts in his Master’s wife who continually tried to seduce him by her charms. When he firmly resisted all her advances, she was enraged and, like Potiphar’s wife, accused him of defiling her to her husband. Subjected to ill treatment, he endured patiently until the day the woman was caught in adultery. The truth of her character having been revealed, he was set free from slavery as a recompense. In another vision he was granted the grace of healing, and he traveled throughout Africa, Palestine, and the Mediterranean revealing the judgment of God and delivering people from illness. The Lord also granted him the grace to cast out demons, and he freed four men under torment by our invisible foes when he was forced to take refuge in Patras while on a journey to Rome. When asked how best to conquer our enemy, his advice was the same whether he was speaking to the lowest peasant or an Imperial General – sanctify the soul and deliverance will follow. By his answer he reinforced the reality that, except for a particular purpose of God, our physical condition often reflects our spiritual condition.
Tikhon of Zadonsk, the Wonderworker and the Bishop of Voronezh
A professor of Rhetoric at a seminary in Novgorod, Saint Tikhon was vouchsafed a vision of the uncreated light which ignited in him a desire for the monastic life and heychia. The Lord, however, had need of him in the vineyard of his Church, and so, not long after becoming a monk, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Voronezh. He gave himself so completely to this work that, having completely exhausted himself with his pastoral efforts, he was forced to retire to a monastery after only five years. There he lived like an angel in the flesh – a model of perfect obedience and humility despite his exalted rank. Often he was so caught up in the contemplation of God that he had to be physically jostled to pry away his attention. Once he was tempted to take up again his ministry as Bishop for the good of the Church, but the Theotokos instructed him to remain in the monastery through an appearance to a venerable old monk. If ever he was assailed by dark thoughts suggested by the Evil One, he drove them away by repeating verses from Psalm 118 (LXX). At the end of his life, he withdrew to the complete reclusion of his cell where he prayed without ceasing for the salvation of the whole world.
Martyrs Basil and Theodore of the Lavra of the Kiev Caves
Hearing the Gospel call to forsake everything to follow the Lord, Saint Theodore, who was a wealthy nobleman, gave away all his possessions to the poor and became a monk in the Kiev Caves Lavra at the feet of the holy elder, Saint Basil. Making quick progress in his zeal but fragile in his inexperience, the Devil opposed him by suggesting worries about the future. Without recourse to the prior security of his wealth and status, Saint Theodore fell into despair as his anxieties took root. Recognizing the signs in his disciple, Saint Basil pulled him up from the abyss of doubt as the Lord did for Saint Peter by showing him that source of his struggle was a lack of faith and not any real vulnerability. Seeing the Saint’s befitting dependence upon his elder and enraged that his previous attack had only prompted the young monk to draw even closer to God, the Enemy of Mankind renewed his assault through an even more devious scheme. Saint Basil having left the monastery on a three month assignment, the Devil appeared to Saint Theodore in the guise of Basil, explained that he had returned early from his trip, and advised him to begin praying for the Lord to return his wealth again. The Evil One explained that, now that Theodore had been freed from his attachment to it, the money could be used for good purposes. In the days that followed, the Devil appeared in Saint Theodore’s dreams as an angel of light multiple times and revealed to him the location where a great treasure had been buried in the area in times past. Then, returning again as Pseudo Basil, the demon asked Saint Theodore to reveal to him the location of the treasure so that they could use the wealth for the Kingdom. Such were the lengths to which the Accuser was willing to go to enslave the Saint to his passions, and, having fallen prey again to deception, Saint Theodore succumbed to avarice and dreamed of absconding with the money to use for his own selfish purposes. As he was planning to act on his plan, the real Saint Basil returned and sought out his spiritual child. But Saint Theodore drove him away thinking that he had devised some ruse (“acting” as if he hadn’t seen him in a long time) to rob him of his precious treasure. Seeing that his victory was in a precarious position, the demon appeared yet again to the Saint exhorting him to leave the monastery that very night. In the meantime, the true Basil returned to Theodore’s cell with a group of faithful monks who testified to the fact that Saint Basil had indeed been away from the monastery for past three months. Realizing that he had again been tricked by the Devil and that his soul was in danger, Saint Theodore gave himself over again to repentance and was prescribed the obedience to let no one enter his cell without first reciting the Jesus Prayer that drives away the invisible foe. Then, he hid the accursed treasure again and prayed to God that he would forget its location permanently, a prayer which the Lord in His mercy granted. Finding peace and joy again, the now experienced warrior matured in the Faith and grew old under the guidance of Saint Basil in the wilderness to which they had retreated as hermits. Not willing to admit defeat, the Devil assailed Saint Theodore again by indirect means. The demon appeared in the guise of Saint Basil to a boyar close to Prince Mstislav and told him that the Monk Theodore had found the long-sought-for treasure. The Devil further explained that the Saint was looking for the right opportunity to leave the country and to take with him the wealth he had discovered. Hearing this, the Prince had Saints Theodore brought before him to question them on the matter. Warned by the God that something was amiss, Saint Basil left his retreat to join him. Saint Theodore freely revealed that he had once known the location of the treasure, but, by the prayers of Saint Basil, he had been blessed to forget it for his deliverance from the passions and the salvation of his soul. Thinking that he was being made to play the fool by two simple monks, the enraged Prince had the two men tortured and thrown into prison to await further interrogation. That night, however, the two Saints gave their souls into the Lord’s hands, having won the ultimate victory over the ever-thwarted Enemy.
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.
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.
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).
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.