When the Emperor Theodosius ordered the destruction of pagan temples throughout the empire, Saint Marcellus set about the work with divine zeal, pulling down shrines and building churches on their ruins to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. One temple, however, the Temple of Jupiter resisted all such efforts because the demon who dwelt there and accepted the worship of the Romans refused to be driven out. Filled with the spirit and power of the Prophet Elijah, the holy Bishop had three column of the colonnade uncovered, piled wood around the bases of them, had the wood covered with water, and then called on the lord to reveal Himself by fire. Like with the prophet of old, fire descended from heaven and set the bushels alight. Not long after the whole of the temple collapsed under the weight of Divine Judgment. Sometime later, Saint Marcellus, the scourge of demons, was set upon and martyred as he was overseeing the destruction of yet another pagan temple dedicated to idol worship.
Category: 5th Century (+)
Indicates saints who died in the 5th Century.
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)
Paisius the Great
The Great Shepherd of the Egyptian desert, went out to Nitria to be with Abba Pambo who received into Holy Monasticism. Seeking to establish his new disciple in humility, the old man instructed him to keep his eyes on the ground never looking anyone in the face. This allowed Saint Paisius to keep his mind directed towards God in all places and circumstances despite outward distractions. After the death of his spiritual father, the Saint retreated further into the desert where he devoted himself to intense feats of asceticism in praise of God. It was not long, however, till other monks began to gather around him to learn his way of life. Abba Paisius preemptively warded off attacks by the Devil by making sure that their material needs were met such that they had just enough to survive. God also granted him the grace of discernment such that once when he was offered a great sum of money, he politely refused seeing that the endurance of poverty through trust in Christ Jesus was a great source of grace and blessing to the monks. He used this same gift to help his monks discern between temptations that originated in their passions and those that were enflamed by demonic suggestion. Seeing the intrigues of the enemy for what they were, he rebuked the devil and forced a confession from him that he and his demons did not assail beginners due to their zeal and the initial protection of divine grace they had been given by God. Rather, they waited till the Lord withdrew somewhat in order to test them, and then they attacked through deception causing negligent monks to fall into their traps with ease. With such foresight, Abba Paisius was able to train his monks into experienced spiritual warriors agains the Evil One and his demons.
Hypatius, Abbot of the Monastery of the Rufinianes
Escaping his home after a particularly intense beating from his earthly father, Saint Hypatius fled into the arms of his heavenly Father and became a monk. His experience in turning attacks meant for evil into good came became a path to salvation for his monks as the community was continually forced to endure invasions by the Huns and the Goths. Finally turning towards the protection of the Imperial City, he found the Monastery of the Rufinianes in a dilapidated state after being abandoned by its original inhabitants who had returned to Egypt. Moreover, it had become infested by demons who sought to claim for themselves a place that had previously been dedicated to the Lord. Upon his arrival, Saint Hypatius drove away the demons by his prayerful rebuke and settled his monks there. They labored intensely to scratch out a life, but they turned their deprivation into ascesis. Eventually, the Devil saw an opportunity to disrupt the way of life that so scorched him, and he caused a quarrel between the Saint and Timothy, one of his original companions that journeyed with him to Constantinople. In imitation of the Patriarch Abraham in the dispute with his nephew, Lot, Saint Hypatius humbled himself and withdrew to his former monastery. When the elder there became ill, he called the Saint and Timothy to him and exhorted them to be reconciled as the Apostles had done when they quarreled. They exchanged mutual forgiveness, overcoming the Evil One by obedience and love, and Hypatius was elected as abbot of the monastery.
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)
Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria
When the great beacon of the Church, elucidator of the Hypostatic union, and champion of the Theotokos, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, had been newly consecrated as Patriarch, he set out to immediately crush the last vestiges of paganism in the lands under his authority. One of the final strongholds of the enemy was an oracle in the city of Menuthis which was infamous for its demonically-inspired revelations. Saint Cyril decided to translate the relics of Saints Cyrus and John to the city, leading the week-long procession himself. Upon arrival, the grace of God working through the presence of His saints drove off the demons who could not bear to be in their presence. Thus through the decisive and God-inspired action of Saint Cyril, the city was liberated from demonic tyranny and was brought under the protection of Saints Cyrus and John.
Hymnography
Made strong in Christ, O Cyril, with steadfast resolve thou hast destroyed the devices of the crooked dragon like a spider’s web.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Philip of Argyrion in Siciliy
Sent by the Pope of Rome to the region of Argyrion in Siciliy as an evangelist in the Fourth Century, Philip began his work there by freeing the residents from the influence of demons who had infested the area. The saint climbed to the summit of a mountain from which he could see the whole community and called upon the Name of the Lord as well as the intercession of Saint Peter. The demons fled from the Holy Name en masse crying out in fear. Having taken the upper hand in the spiritual battle, Saint Philip freed more than 400 individuals, laying hands on them and casting out the demons that had tormented them. By doing so, he laid a firm foundation for the Church in the region and became known as a persecutor of the enemy.
Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis on Cyprus
Before becoming a Bishop, the great interpreter of the Holy Scriptures established a monastery in Palestine, the land of his birth. However, the village and even some of those who lived the angelic life under his guidance, were tormented by demons. Thanks to his gift of clear sight, Saint Epiphanius drove them out by calling on the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Later, by the same means, he cast out a demon from a man in the presence of a philosopher from Edessa with whom he had been debating. Seeing this miracle this philosopher abandoned the worldly wisdom of the Greeks for heavenly wisdom, was baptized, became a monk, and eventually was named the saint’s successor as abbot of the community.
Hymnography
Thy most godly life, O Father, and thine Orthodox mind and heart, in their concord, enabled thee to work signs and miracles through thine intercessions, and to drive the brazen assaults of the demons far away and end the pains of demons hard to cure. And thou wast fair adorned with the exalted grave of hierarchy by Christ Jesus, the Friend of man, the divine Saviour of our souls.
(Third troparia of Saint Epiphanius; Lord, I have cried)
Although thou, as an offspring of Judaic worship, hadst been obedient to the Mosaic laws, yet the grace of Christ, which shone forth in thee, O Father Epiphanius, clearly made thee a disciple of the Gospel of Peace. Thereupon, perceiving in thy wisdom the fulfillment of the two Testaments, thou didst pass over from servitude unto freedom. Wherefore, make entreaty in our behalf, that we be delivered from the tyranny of the enemy, and that our souls be saved
(Doxastikon of Saint Epiphanius; Lord, I have cried)
Evading the empty and paltry glory of men, thou madest thy dwelling in the wilderness as thy Master did, and wisely wentest forth to temptations like the Master’s, having thine infirmity invisibly strengthened for wrestling against demons.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
When the evil spirit was cast out, it troubled the ruler of the Assyrians, but became a herald of thy virtue and divine grace, O Father; for God knoweth to glorify them that glorify Him.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Arsenius the Great
Born of a noble family and renowned for his learning, even after devoting himself to obtaining spiritual knowledge above all, Saint Arsenius found himself at the heart of society as the tutor for Emperor of the East, Theodosius the Great’s, children. Resisting the temptations afforded by such a privileged position, one night Arsenius heard a voice from heaving telling him to flee the company of men in order to be saved. He immediately left for the Egyptian desert where he joined the anchorite community at Scetis and began living in solitude some 30 miles from the church. After begging God for more guidance, he heard yet another voice telling him to flee conversation and remain in silence in order to be saved. From this he understood that, while possible for some, it was not possible for him to live with both God and men and keep his nous focused on the Lord. In his silence and solitude, he was assailed by the demons who incessantly brought to mind thoughts of his past life. The holy hermit, however, thwarted their attacks by always asking God for the grace to begin anew and by prolonged perseverance in the life to which God had called him.
Hymnography
O Righteous Father Arsenius, into all the earth hath the sound of thine achievements gone forth; wherefore thou hast found in the Heavens the reward of thy labors. Thou didst destroy the ranks of demons; thou didst attain to the orders of the Angels, whose life thou didst emulate without blame. Since thou hast boldness with Christ God, pray that peace be granted unto our souls.
(First Troparion of Saint Arsenius; The Entreaty at Great Vespers)
Receiving succor from God because of thy contrite heart, O Father Arsenius, thou didst dash down the attacks of hostile and unclean spirits and didst bear away the trophy through thy humility.
(Ode Three, Second Troparion of the Righteous One; Orthros Canon)
Knowing well the enemy’s cunning, O Father, in thy godliness thou didst reject him that mediated the first transgression of first-formed Adam. Therefore, while dancing for joy in the immaculate meadow of delight, make entreaty unto Christ the Master.
(Ode Five, First Troparion of the Righteous One; Orthros Canon)