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.
Category: Miracles
Indicates saints whose defeat of the demons was particularly accompanied by miracles.
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)
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)
Anna (Susannah) of Leucada
A beautiful woman of wealthy birth, Anna was far more beautiful of spirit and wished only to store up treasure in heaven. After the death of her parents, she used all of her worldly riches to serve the poor – a selfless act which made her even more radiant. The result was the untiring pursuit of her hand in marriage by a muslim dignitary that exposed her to harsh and ill treatment including pressure from her own Emperor to accept the proposal. Instead, she fled to the monastery to consecrate her virginity to Christ. Having finally achieved her aim, she devoted herself to the extreme ascesis of week long fasts, whole days in prayer, and night long vigils. By these means her passions were obliterated, but her body became so weak that she succumbed to a small illness. Some years later, a group of possessed people were guided to her tomb by the Lord. When they opened it, they found her body incorrupt, and they were struck with a heavenly fragrance that delivered them from their torment. The grace that came from her union with the Lord, flowed freely over all who came to venerate her relics and delivering them from blindness, paralysis, disease and possession.
Martyr Golinduc of Persia
Though she had familial ties to the Zoroastrian religion, the Holy Martyr Golinduc was always repulsed by the worship of fire. Nevertheless, she prayed for a revelation of the True Faith, and, while she was still a pagan, she was vouchsafed a vision over the course of three days of souls in torment in Hades and another of souls rejoicing in Paradise. When she asked what she must do join those in Paradise, an angel told her that she must be baptized into Christ. Willing to stop at nothing to do so, she left her husband and parents, was catechized and then baptized into the Church. Upon returning home, she was turned into the authorities by her husband for repudiating the Mazdean religion and was thrown into prison for 18 years. But she lived those years as if it were a single day, focusing only on her love for Christ. She was granted the grace of learning first the Psalter and then the rest of Holy Scriptures by heart from other faithful Christians who she met in the prison. At the end of that time, she was delivered up to the torturers who, inspired by demons, inflicted the most heinous torturers on the Martyr to no avail. For, each night, the Lord healed her wounds. Seeing they could make no impact on her resolve they cast her into a pit that was inhabited by a dragon that was feared by all. In short order, however, Saint Golinduc had tamed the beast such that is slept each night with its head resting in her lap. After four months, they removed her from the pit and had her installed in a house of ill-repute, but she was rendered invisible to any who entered in the hopes of defiling her. Having proven utterly victorious, she was finally released from prison and exiled. Thankful for her freedom, she nevertheless offered up a prayer of lament for not having been counted worthy of the crown of martyrdom. In response, the Lord sent an angel to her who gently wounded her neck with a sword causing blood to issue forth. The angel then told her that the Lord considered that wound in addition to he sufferings to have been her martyrdom. From thenceforth she became known as the Living Martyr, and she was revered wherever she went. One day, when she nearly received communion from some Monophysite disciples of Sergius of Antioch, an angel granted her a vision of two chalices, one that held the bitter darkness of Hades from her first vision, and a second that held the warm glow of paradise. Through this and other such visions, she became a sign and firm support for the true faith to those around her.
Hymnography
Through divine instruction, thou by faith camest to know Christ our God, Who abode with those on the earth; and enlightened in the eyes of thy mind, stately Golinduc, thou didst set forth straightway, bold and unafraid, to join in battle with unseen enemies, whose brazen insolence thou didst utterly destroy; wherefore, the Lord, He that is supremely good, crowned thee with vict’ry’s crowns.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
Thou didst keep thy mind unhurt and whole while thou wast suffering wounds in confinement of many years; and, O Martyr, having been cast down into the lowest pit to pine and languish therein for many days, thou wast sustained with imperishable food; and though there dwelt with thee a pernicious dragon, thou wast never touched by its harm, O glorious prizewinner of the Lord.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
They who are guided by thee unto the Lord, O all-lauded Golinduc, have not their feet caught in the enemy’s meshes, but they trip up his ways by the Divine Spirit.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Showing diligence to be released from the confusion of passions and from treacherous delusion, O Martyr, thou didst suffer bonds with joy, binding with them all the error of the destroyer.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Christ the Lord gave thee strength to endure torments and wicked tortures, through which thou hast undone all the enemy’s devices, O wonder-worthy maiden.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With joy thou abodest in a dark and very deep pit, O venerable Golinduc, like the wondrous Daniel, being with a dragon which reverenced thee, recognizing in thee a Martyr of the sufferings of Christ.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Longing for the almighty gave thee wings, O admirable Martyr, and thou flewest above all the snares of the adversary as a dove of Christ, and wast united unto God.
(Ode Eight, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Michael Maleinus
A scion of a noble house related to the imperial family, Saint Michael was born after his parents received a vision of the Theotokos. Though he could have had a prosperous life at Court, he chose the monastic life instead. Quenching his parents’ anger with humility and hardening the softness of his heretofore privileged life through obedience, the Saint quickly became admired by his brethren for his zeal for the Faith and love of Christ. Eventually, he received a blessing to live as a hermit during the week and to return on the weekend to celebrate the resurrection with the community. In this way he advanced in the ascetic through prayer, fasting, and manual labor for his bread. After some years, he retired even further into the wilderness on two separate occasions until he found the solitude he desired to do unceasing battle against both the passions and the demons. Unable to hide his light that the Lord had set on a hill, a community gathered around until it became such that the locations was no longer suitable. He, therefore, led the new brotherhood back to place where he first started and laid the foundations of a new lavra dedicated to the Mother of God. As a Spiritual father, he constantly consoled those who came to him for aid, giving all that he owned in alms, but finding that, like the manna in the desert, his stores never ran out. His prayers were like a torrent of fire that burned the demons. Unable to bear this, they instigated an unstable monk to murder him. As he approached Saint Michael’s cell to carry out the deed, the Saint called out to him that he ought to come in and lay down his heavy and secret burden. When the monk entered he saw the engulfed in the flames of the uncreated light. The tormenting demons left him, and he immediately fell down to the ground confessing his sins. He counseled the monk to be watchful as he had been for the 50 years of his monastic life, never relaxing his rule of prayer.
Hieromartyr Pancratius of Taormina
A direct disciple of the Apostle Peter, the Holy Hieromartyr became the scourge of idols and the demons who dwelt animated and dwelt within them. Traveling with the Prince of the Apostles on his missionary journeys, he was consecrated as Bishop of Taormina in Sicily. As soon as he stepped foot on those shores, the bloodthirsty demons that inhabited the idol of the local God, Falcon, cried out in terror and attempted to hide themselves. Hearing this, the Saint called on the Name of Christ Jesus and made the sign of the Cross with his staff, and the statue with its demons were hurled into the sea. Inspired by this miracle of deliverance, the locals quickly built a Church in the city. As Saint Pancratius celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church for the first time, all of the remaining idols in the city were utterly destroyed. Fearing this to be a sign of their god’s displeasure, the pagan priests began to inquire as to what was was required of them. A demon who called himself Lysson told them that they had been rendered completely powerless by the Most High God that Saint Pancratius had been proclaiming. Despairing, the pagans decided to sacrifice to a local official to strengthen their false gods. When Saint Pancratius had been warned about their plan, he went out to meet them vested as for the Divine Liturgy and holding a blessing cross. Blinded by the radiance of Christ that shone from the Hieromartyr, the pagan priests fell to the ground. The Saint ordered the demon Lysson into the abyss, and he killed a great serpent that had been feeding of the blood of human sacrifices with the invincible weapon of the Cross. Seeing that they could not face the Saint directly, the demons decided to attack others in an attempt to undermine their confidence in the God of Pancratius. They inspired a certain follower of the heretic Montanus to cast a spell on a young virgin with evil intent, but her faith having been strengthened by Hieromartyr’s teachings, it proved impotent. Ever a bane to the idols, when he threw down yet another pagan statue at a governmental banquet, the pagan priests threw themselves on the Bishop and beath him so severely that he received the martyr’s crown. Afterwards, a Church was built in his honor, and he remains the protector of the city to this day.
Hymnography
When thou by thy word hadst put to flight foul and wicked spirits of evil, then by the Good Spirit’s grace thou didst make men spiritual, O wise Pancratius; and on tilling the furrows of their hearts, O blest Martyr, thou didst sow the God-bestowed and saving seed in them; whom thou didst then offer to Christ God, the Celestial Husbandman, ever interceding for those praising thee with faith.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Strengthened by the Spirit, thou didst cast out evil spirits; and levelling the temples of the idols with the bar of thy prayers, thou didst erect churches, O praiseworthy Pancratius.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thy life, shining bright as lightning with the divine beauty, cast into darkness the assaults of all demons; and dissolving the darkness of godlessness, thou madest those who with longing were obedient unto thy teachings to be sons of the day.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With thy blood thou didst redden they sacred vestments and didst dry up demons’ gore, and thou wast taken up in triumph into the Heavens to receive the crown of victory.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The truly unbreakable Rock set thee as a foundation and unbreakable support of the sacred Church, O wise revealer of sacred things, upon which every evil of the infantile enemy is dashed.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Knowing that the honor shown to the image passeth over to the prototype, O glorious one, thou didst everywhere set up the immaculate icon of Jesus our God, unto the destruction of the demons’ effigies.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Great Martyr Procopius of Caesarea
As he was on his way from Alexandria at the head of an army sent out to persecute Christians who refused to follow the edicts of Diocletian, Saint Procopius had his own Damascus Road experience when Christ Jesus spoke to him from out of an unexpected lightning storm. When he responded with humility and repentance, the Lord revealed the Gospel to him and, like a new Constantine, he was told that he would conquer by the sign of the cross as a new chosen vessel of grace. After a jeweler had crafted a silver cross in the fashion of the one that had appeared in the sky, three names appeared on it, inscribed by the finger of God — Emmanuel, Michael, and Gabriel. Thus, it was by the power of the crucified and risen Lord, along with the two Holy Archangels who were ever with him, that Saint Procopius became a terror to the enemies of mankind. Having won a great military victory, he ascribed his success to the power of Christ and was denounced to the Emperor. Hating to lose such a sharp sword, the Governor of Caesarea (Diocletian’s designee in the matter), said that all would be forgiven if he offered sacrificed to the idols. When he refused, he was beaten severely and thrown into prison, but the Lord appeared to him again with his angelic protectors to heal him and free him from his bonds. He also gave him a new name, Procopius (“progress”), encouraging him to continue progressing toward the Kingdom through perseverance, no matter what the servants of the demons devised for him. On his next appearance before the Governor, the Saint asked to be taken to the temple so that he could honor them as they deserved. The prideful Governor was overjoyed assuming himself to be victorious, and he invited the public to come witness the Saint’s return to the imperial cult. But, when Saint Procopius arrived in the temple, he offered a simple prayer, made the sign of the cross, and the idols were immediately reduced to dust. Enraged by his public humiliation and the conversions to Christianity that resulted, the Governor had the Saint returned to his prison where he was tortured and interrogated. In the midst of his sufferings, he cast out a demon from a small child indicating that, like Christ Jesus, he was submitting himself to torture voluntarily to make of himself an offering to the Lord. His steadfast endurance amazed all who saw it, including the authorities, but hardening their hearts too all the miracles they witnessed, they finally had the Holy Martyr beheaded.
Hymnography
Raising thyself up as a temple and monument of the Divine Spirit, and breathing godly zeal, thou brakest in pieces the temples and lifeless idols of the demons, O Martyr Procopius.
(Ode Three, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst put off the coats of skin when thou wast scraped; and thou hast put on the robe of incorruption, O Martyr Procopius, and hast stripped the wily one naked.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Since thou hast received from on high the grace of healing, O Martyr, thou drivest away diseases and dost chase away evil spirits, while crying out: Blessed art Thou, O my God and Lord.
(Ode Seven, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art become a fountain of miracles, pouring forth rivers of healings, ending the burning heat of sufferings, and sinking in the deep of demons’ battalions by the almighty divine power of the Spirit, O admirable Procopius.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
While yet young in years, thou, like the marvelous Paul, didst receive the divine gift from the highest, and with the whole armor of the Cross thou didst cast down the arrogance of the cunning adversary. O glory if Martyrs, prizewinner Procopius, entreat the Lord for us, that our souls be saved.
(For the Praises, Second Troparion; Orthros)
Having like Paul received thy calling from God, by thy trust in the Cross, thou didst manfully put to shame the impiety of the tyrants and the harshness of the torments. Wherefore, thou didst resist sin even unto blood, striving against invisible enemies; and thou intercedest unceasingly with God our redeemer, that peace be granted unto the world and great mercy to our souls.
(For the Praises, Doxastikon; Orthros)
Thomas of Mount Maleon
A celebrated general in the world, Saint Thomas left behind his accolades and plaudits to enlist in the army of the Lord as a monastic. Patterning himself after the Elijah the Tishbite, he was guided by the Holy Prophet and his chariot of fire to Mount Maleon where he immersed himself in the ascetic life. Standing like a fiery in pillar in prayer, the Lord illumined him with the uncreated light which burnt away the passions in the Saint and drove off the demons that had infested the countryside. Even after death he continued to provide healing of both soul and body for those who venerated his relics by means of a fragrant myrrh that flowed from his tomb.
Hymnography
We know thee truly to be a divinely shining light that maketh bright the whole world with clear spiritual splendors, cutting through the gloom of the wicked distress and confusion which demons wreak; wherefore, O blest Father Thomas, we celebrate thy bright memory with fervent faith.
(Lord, I have cried, First Troparion; Vespers)
Thou wast eminent in life, O Father, winning innumerable trophies against the barbarians; and becoming a monk in all righteousness, thou didst sorely wound the troops of demons.
(Ode One, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Wrestling with the enemy in thine asceticism, O righteous Thomas, with the Divine Spirit as ally thou broughtest him low, and thou hast received from Heaven the crown of victory.
(Ode One, Doxastikon; Orthros Canon)
By the power of Christ supplying sight to the blind, swiftness to the lame, deliverance to the possessed, and healing to the sick, O Father Thomas, thou didst cry: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.
(Ode Seven, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Athanasius the Athonite
The great builder of the Holy Mountain, Saint Athanasius began his life trying to hide himself away for the sake of hesychia. As a child he did not care to join in the rambunctious games of others his age, instead retiring into the forest where he played as abbot. When admiration for his stately and sober bearing led him into the service of an imperial general, he shunned all of the rich trappings of his office instead living like apart like a hermit in a city. Eventually, the holy man entered the monastic life, where he achieved his goal of retreat from the world on Mt. Athos which was at the time populated only by hermits. The devil, seeing in the young monk a future adversary he would not be able to overcome, assaulted him with all of his strength, particularly through the temptation of acedia (idleness, sloth, restlessness, loss of interest in spiritual things, feeling vaguely unwell). His heart as dry as a desert, he thought about leaving, but committed to staying where God had placed for at least a year. On the last day, having experienced no relief and making preparations to return to the world, Saint Athanasius was filled with the uncreated light which departed to him the gifts of joy and tears. Having overcome his trial by the grace of God, the Saint became a scourge of the enemy. By his prayers, he drove away a demon that had physically paralyzed some workmen who were building him a permanent structure on the place where he had received the gift of light. Building works began radiating out from there like the rays of the sun, with the saint overseeing the work and securing financial support for the projects from imperial benefactors, including the Emperor himself. The demons responded to the assault by stirring up dissension among the growing communities, and Saint Athanasius left Athos for a time. Called to Constantinople by the the Emperor John Tzimiskis who had assassinated Nicephoros Phocas (Athanasius’s spiritual child), the Saint so impressed the man that he doubled the support the monasteries on the Holy Mountain received from the crown, and sent a wise monk from the Stoudion Monastery back to Athos with the Saint to quell the unrest. This was accomplished through an imperial edict, the Tragos, which gave the communities there an official organization; it is preserved to this day in Karyes. Thus, the devil was overcome in both the personal life of the Saint and in the community that he helped to build – both literally and spiritually. The rest of his life was attended by countless other miracles, especially among the many lepers who came to him for aid. He lovingly referred to them as the greatest treasure of the Great Lavra.
Hymnography
As we the choirs of the fathers come together, let us acclaim the lover of Christ, the namesake of immortality, the true initiate of the Savior, and the boast and pride and guide of all solitaries, who was sanctified unto the Lord from infancy; for having conceived divine love in himself, he abandoned the delusion of the world, and took Christ’s yoke upon his shoulders. He manfully put to flight the hordes of demons, showing us in his deeds that more excellent way of divine love; for walking therein, he speedily reached the true light of the Trinity, Who is able to do all things. O amazing wonder, and work of divine magnificence! For he, being earthly in nature, became equal to the angelic essences, receiving infinite glory and honor from God; and he is become an intercessor for us, that we may attain to the eternal good things in the day of judgment.
(For the Entreaty, Second Troparion; Vespers)
The all-wondrous achievements of thy life in asceticism amazed the noetic powers and astonished mortals; for in this earthly body, thou didst wrestle with invisible enemies almost as though thou hadst been without flesh. Therefore, all the generations of the pious, and above all, thy venerable flock, the shining monument to thy labors, sing of thee. It is this flock which thou didst show to be a delightful city in the wilderness, which though didst establish as the beautiful dwelling of an army of monks, which is bedecked with thy wonders and thy noble contests as with costly vesture. Through thy prayers and intercessions, O Athanasius, it asketh that it be protected by Christ, Who hath great mercy.
(For the Entreaty, Third Troparion; Vespers)
Let us sound a trumpet of song; for the grace of the Spirit, resounding more clearly than any trumpet, calleth all together to the praise of our God-bearing Father. Ye kings and princes, marvel at the true servant of the King of all, who with the whole armor of the Divine Spirit put to flight the principalities and powers of the ruler of this world. Ye shepherds and teachers, let us acclaim him who is pure in doctrine, courageous in the Faith, or lofty understanding in divine vision; in works, soaring above the clouds; in doctrine, a torrent of delight; the guide of the erring, the support of the shaken, and most compassionate towards all in infirmity. As we extol this great boast of Athos, let us all say: O Athanasius, pinnacle of the Fathers, stand by thy servants in every hour, O our Father, and by thine entreaties , save thy flock.
(For the Entreaty, Doxastikon; Vespers)
Rejoice, thou who becamest the head of the ascetics, and their unconquered champion; for cutting the roots of the passions and bravely bearing the blows of the demons’ onslaughts, thou didst overcome their utter infirmity and their error, which slayeth souls; and thou didst show forth the great strength of the Savior’s Cross, making manifest that its might is invincible. Girding thyself therewith, thou overcamest all that reject Christ God’s divine and most honored appearance unto us in the flesh. O wise Athanasius, intercede with Him to grant His great mercy to our souls.
(For the Aposticha, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Thou wast a shining pillar of light raised up in virtues and a cloud overshadowing all those on the Mount of Athos, for whom thou wentest before, leading seers of God from earth to Heaven’s heights. By parting the passions’ sea with the rod of the Savior’s Cross and overcoming the invisible Amalek, thou didst find a clear passage leading up Heavenwards; there hast thou gained thine everlasting portion, O blest of God, as with the bodiless Angels, thou now dost stand at the throne of Christ in great joy and gladness. Intercede with Him to grant His great mercy to our souls.
(For the Aposticha, Third Troparion; Vespers)
The Angel’s ranks were awed by thy life in the flesh, how, though corporeal, and clad with earthly clay, thou didst set forth with courage to invisible wars and wrestlings and didst boldly smite the hordes of the demons with mortal wounds. Wherefore, Christ rewarded thee with abundant gifts in return. Entreat Him that our souls fund salvation, O most renowned Father Athanasius.
(Apolytikion)
Making thy mind governor over the passions, and having thy footsteps guided by godly deeds, thou didst walk the good road unto the end, piously warding off the ambushes and treacheries and knaveries of the demons, since thou didst wisely choose the better.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having marvelously received thy calling from on high, thou didst inherit immortal life. For though in a body, thou didst lead the life of the bodiless on the earth, becoming invincible to passions. Therefore we extol thee, O Father:
Rejoice, bright glory of monastics; rejoice, shinning pillar of chastity.
Rejoice, far-seen token of courage; rejoice, proof of all-wise prudence.
Rejoice, impartial scales of exact justice; rejoice, thou who madest the fervency of thy deeds conformable to reason.
Rejoice, mind enjoying ineffable intellections; rejoice, thou who didst reverently study all creation.
Rejoice, thou by whom demons have been shamed; rejoice, thou by whom every passion is slain.
Rejoice, haven for those in the tempest of life; rejoice, savior of them that faithfully cry to thee:
Rejoice, O Father Athanasius.
(Ikos; Orthros Canon)
Vigorously thrusting back the principalities and powers of darkness, O Athanasius, thou becamest a mighty teacher and saving guide, laying bare their treacheries and ambushes and guile, and preserving thy flock unharmed from all the demons’ villainy.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Truly precious in Thy sight, O Christ, hath been the death of Thy Saint; for behold, even after death, how Thy servant wondrously hath gushed forth from his holy foot a spring of blood, which doth ever drive away all kinds of sickness; and it doth put to flight spirits of wickedness, which this blessed man while yet alive on earth fought against with bold resistance even unto blood.
(For the Praises, First Troparion; Orthros)
Christ the Lord hath shown us mortal men thy relics ven’rable shrine as a fountain of miracles and a river filled with gifts, Athanasius supremely wise. For it hath granted their sight unto the blind and hath purged elephantitis away; it cleanseth leprosy; and those vexed with unclean spirits are set free from the demons’ power and they are made sound and whole.
(For the Praises, Second Troparion; Orthros)