Category: Hymnography

Posts that include hymns associated with the saint’s defeat of the demons.

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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)

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Martyr Maura

After her husband had been put to the torture and imprisoned by Diocletian’s Prefect of Thebes, Arian, the tyrant hoped that he could get Saint Maura to convince her husband to renounce the faith order to save his life. Much to the contrary, after speaking with her husband, she too boldly confessed Christ and proclaimed that she was ready to die for Christ. After being subjected to multiple tortures to which she responded with disdain and ridicule at their impotence, Maura and her husband, Timothy, were crucified side-by-side having been tied to their crosses. Her patient and uncomplaining endurance proved to be a scourge to the demons, and, in order to end his humiliation, the Devil appeared to her as a man offering the saint milk and honey to pull down her vision from the creator to the created as he did with our first Mother. Maura, however, easily defeated this temptation through prayer. The Devil then redoubled his efforts at temptation by transporting her to an illusory land flowing with milk and honey. Filled with righteous anger at this further deception, the holy martyr rebuked the enemy of mankind saying the she preferred rather the draught of eternal life. Having been routed, the demon fled from the saint and, like when Christ was tempted in the wilderness, and angel came to minister to her. The next day, the 10th day of their crucifixion, Saints Maura and Timothy both carried off the martyrs crown.

Hymnography
August Martyr Maura blest of God, with thy brightly flashing visage and the light of thy grace, thou didst benight and dim the eyes of the evil tyrant; when thy foes tore out thy hair, though didst openly speak unto God; and with the water heated up in the seething cauldron, thou didst burn the unjust head of deceitful Belial.
(Second Troparion of the Saints, Lord, I have cried)

Clad with the breastplate of the Divine Spirit, O venerable Maura, thou joyfully wentest forth to wrestle with the adversary, and didst defeat him and didst receive the crowns of victory, O Martyr.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion, Orthros Canon)

In keeping the law of the Ruler of all, ye did not bow down to the rule of the transgressors; ye did not offer worship to the wicked demons, O noble Martyrs, heirs of the Lord.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, Orthros Canon)

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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)

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Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Consumed by a divine eros for Christ, St. Elizabeth fixed her gaze on the Divine Beauty, turning neither to the right nor the left. For her single-minded dedication she was granted the gift of working miracles which she used to heal the sick, cast out demons, and predict future events. Like a female St. George, she too killed a dragon which held sway over the Hebdomon District of Constantinople armed only with the precious cross. On the day after the feast of the Trophy-bearer, St. Elizabeth fell asleep. Her body remained incorrupt and continued to work wonders for the faithful down through the centuries.

Hymnography
Since thou didst pereserve in ascetical diligence, thou hast received grace to drive out the maladies of souls and bodies, O Modest Mother blest of God, in the Holy Spirit, chasing spirits off and protecting all found in adversities; now in thine intercessions, ask that strength and great mercy be granted unto all.
(First Troparion of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)

Having borne the pains of self-denial, thou didst gain the grace of deep dispassion and of healing to cure every malady, and to drive off all the working of demons’ spite, O God-inspired, wonder worthy Elizabeth. Righteous Mother, interceded with Christ God in our behalf, that His great mercy may be granted unto us.
(Sessional Hymn of the Saint; Orthros Canon)

The terrible serpent, even the dragon, hast thou slain with thy prayer; for having first broken all the devices of the evil one by divine power, thou gavest him as food to the beasts and to every fowl of the air, O Elizabeth, while glorifying the Master of all.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Resplendent was thy way of life, made beautiful with virtues; and thy falling-asleep hath sacredly flashed with the lightning or miracles, chasing away demons and dissipating the winter of passions by divine grace.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)

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Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer

In the midst of his trials under Diocletian, St. George feigned an intention to offer sacrifice in order to end his torment. Arriving at the Temple of Apollo in Nicomedia, the Great Martyr stood in front of the idol and made the sign of the cross. Unable to bear the power of the invincible weapon as wielded by the saint, multiple demons were immediately cast out of the idol and confessed Christ as true God. The lifeless statues then fell to the ground and shattered. While not explicitly spoken about in terms of the demonic, his defeat of the dragon which has become the central theme of his iconographic representation in the Church, also proclaims his victory over the enemy of mankind since the Devil is called the dragon in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 12).

Hymnography
With the breastplate of ardent faith, with the shield of resplendent grace, with the mighty spear of the Cross girt all about, thou didst prove unto thine enemies to be all-invincible; as a God-like prince in war, thou didst vanquish the demons’ troops, and dost dance for joy with the Angels; and caring for the faithful thou dost hallow and preserve them, when they invoke thee, O Martyr George.
(Fourth Troparion; Lord, I have cried; Great Vespers)

Thou hast lived worthily of thy name, O soldier George; for taking the Cross of Christ upon thy shoulders, thou hast cultivated the earth that had become barren because of diabolic deception; and uprooting the thorny religion of the idols, thou hast planted the vine of the Orthodox Faith. Wherefore thou gushes forth healings for the faithful throughout the world, and hast proved to be the Trinity’s righteous husbandman. Intercede, we pray, for the peace of the world and the salvation of our souls.
(Doxastikon of the Martyr; Lord, I have cried; Great Vespers)

Thou hast set a crown of glory on thy head, O crown-bearer George; for, as Paul crieth out, thou, seeing the invisible enemy, didst persevere, and becamest a victor over his deception. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, to Christ, Who is risen!
(Sixth Troparion of the Entreaty; Great Vespers)

Solomon said: Let the eyes of mortals gaze straight; for, he foretold, whoso locket straight shall find mercy from Christ God. Lending a ready ear unto this, O much-enduring George, thou didst follow the teachings of the Master; and when thou wast given up to the lawless, thou didst endure manfully, abhorring the rituals of delusion, because they are profane. For the love of Him that made thee, thy body was wholly severed limb by limb, and yet more was Belial wholly put to shame and wounded, when he saw thee wearing thy crown and flourishing again. Wherefore, as thou abides in the courts of thy Lord, O prizewinner, together with the powers on high, intercede with Christ that our souls be saved.
(Doxastikon of the Martyr for the Entreaty; Great Vespers)

We hymn thy contests, O all-blessed George, whereby thou hast overthrown the worship of the idols and hast destroyed all the deceit of the demons, O all-renowned Martyr.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Second Orthros Canon)

Calm the tumult of temptations and dangers, O wonderworthy George, and as a soldier of Christ, drive every affront of the demons away from them that sing thy praises.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Second Orthros Canon)

As sweet-smelling flowers from another Paradise, let us gather hymns from the divinely-inspired Book of Psalms, and come, let us plait bright garland of songs woven for the Martyr; for he triumphed, and destroyed the power of Satan.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, First Orthros Canon)

By thine intercessions, O crown-bearer George, check the flood of adversities, sufferings, and dangers, of tumultuous calamities, of maladies that befall us, for the devices of demons, and of the violence of adversaries.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, Second Orthros Canon)

O Blessed George, unceasingly importune the Lord for us who praise thee as a Martyr of Christ, as a vanquisher of tyrants, as an exorcist of wicked spirits, as an unsleeping guardian, as a protector never put to shame.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion, Second Orthros Canon)