Called to be a monastic by an audible voice at his baptism, Saint Nicodemus held off taking up the veil to be in obedience to his parents who shared a well-intentioned concern for his well being. After their death, he forgot his earlier intention and became blacksmith in Moscow. But when he was delivered from the effects of a pernicious poison by the intercessions of Saint Basil the Fool for Christ, he remembered his calling, sold all his possessions, and became a monk. Always longing for a deeper hesychia, the Saint joined a community in the far north of the country that was overseen by Saint Serapion. After a few years, he received a blessing to become a hermit and settled along the Kozhyug River. There he submerged himself in a life of extreme asceticism, fasting to his absolute limit and standing in prayer for long hours without being aware of the passage of time. He was granted the gift of compunction and the constant stream of tears carved deep furrows in his face. Furious by his display and threatened by the grace that God visited on him as a result, the demons hurled themselves at Nicodemus hoping to intimidate him, cause him to despair, and drive him off. But the Saint treated them with disdain and casually drove them away by his prayer. Utterly defeated, the demons thought they would try to turn this to their advantage, tempting him to pride by withdrawing their attacks for a time. Their hope was that their absence would cause him to glory in his ability to banish them. So, when they thought he least expected it, they threw themselves against him again with all their might, but found the Saint as immoveable as before, grounded as he was in humility and watchfulness. As a result, Saint Nicodemus lived out the rest of his days in peace.
Category: Miracles
Indicates saints whose defeat of the demons was particularly accompanied by miracles.
The Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, the Romans
The great dispensers of God’s abundant mercy for the body and the soul, Saints Cosmas and Damian used their medicinal training as the outward explanation for the healing they wrought for their patients through calling on the Name of Jesus Christ. At this holy Name, both illnesses and demons fled instantly. Their fame having spread, they were denounced to the authorities in Rome. At first, the faithful prevailed upon them to hide in the mountains so they could continue their ministry. When, however, the pagans captured other Christians to endure torture and martyrdom in their place, the Saints chased down the convoy and revealed themselves to be the men for which they were looking. While they were being interrogated by the Emperor Carinus in Rome, the Saints pronounced the Lord’s therapeutic judgment on the Emperor who was inflicted with a twisting of his spine. In that state, acknowledged the God of the Christians and cried out for his help. He was delivered from the condition at the prayers of Saints Cosmas and Damian and accepted the Faith then and there. The saints were released, by the enemy never stopped looking for a chance to silence the holy unmercenaries. One day they were lured into the wilderness by a man who had befriended them for the purpose of getting close to them. Once there, he threw himself on them, murdered, them and buried their bodies in a shallow grave. When they didn’t return, the people began to search for them. Along the way, they encountered a man whom all knew to be demon possessed calm and in his right mind. When they asked him how he had been delivered, he took them to a place where he said he had been overcome by divine power. There they found the bodies of the two Saints. Since then, they have never ceased to work deliverance and healings for those who asked for their intercession.
Hymnography
Ye physicians of the sick and treasuries of healings, ye saviors of the faithful, O all-famed Unmercenaries, heal them that are in pain and cry out in need, as ye entreat the Good God that He deliver us from the snares of the enemy.
(The Entreaty, Fifth Troparion; Vespers)
Ye were see to be swords mortally wounding invisible adversaries; wherefore deliver us from their arrows also, and preserver our life, O wise Unmercenaries.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Strengthened with the might of Christ, ye have utterly destroyed all the power of him that is mighty in evil; from whose tyranny deliver us, as our unsleeping protectors, O Unmercenaries.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having received the grace of healing, ye extend health to those in need, O glorious and wonderworking physicians. Hence, by your visitation, cast down the audacity of our enemies, and by your miracles, heal the world.
(Kontakion; Orthros Canon)
Committing your pure spirits unto the Lord, O Unmercenaries, ye received from Him the grace ever to drive out unclean spirits, from whose bitter wickedness do ye rescue us all.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Gushing forth as rivers with the Spirit’s mightily flowing tides, pouring forth as a spreading sea, ye water creation with wonders and divine signs; with your cures, O God-bearers, which ye wondrously bestow, ye dry up sufferings that undermine the soul; ye heal our hard diseases and make unclean spirits to flee in fear, O ye Unmercenary Saints, who entreat in our souls’ behalf.
(Praises, First Troparion; Orthros)
Having the source of healing, O holy Unmercenaries, ye grant healing to all that make supplication, since ye have been deemed worthy of great gifts from the ever-flowing fountain of Christ the Savior. For the Lord hath said unto you, since ye have zeal like the Apostles: Behold, I have given you authority over unclean spirits, that ye might cast them out and heal every disease and every sickness. Wherefore, having lived well by His commandments, freely ye received, freely ye give, healing the passions of our souls and bodies.
(Praises, Doxastikon; Orthros)
Sergius and Herman, Founders of the Monastery of Valaam
Saint Sergius came to the far north from Greece to spread to Gospel amongst the tribes there. Preaching life dedicated to the Crucified and Risen Lord, the Saint made his base of operations at the spot where, according to tradition, Saint Andrew the First-Called had planted a cross on his missionary journeys. There he lives a life of strict asceticism, making hand-written copies of the Holy Scripture to learn and study the text at night and then preaching the Word during the day. He lived in this way for more than 50 years, a community forming around him all the while which became the Monastery of Valaam in Lake Ladoga. Saint Herman was his partner in this work, and he was so much like his spiritual father that no one knew if he had always been with him or joined him as a new disciple in his retreat. He led the monastic community faithfully in the spirit and power of Saint Sergius. When Saint Herman died, he was buried in the same tomb with Saint Sergius. Over the years, many attempts were made to access their holy relics, but this was prevented by an uncreated fire that overshadowed the tomb. Firmly rooted in the monastery they had founded, the two Saints never ceased to intercede for the brotherhood and the faithful there. By their prayers, the Lord poured out his grace on the people, especially coming to the aid of sailors and delivering those who were possessed by demons.
Hymnography
Ye appeared as true fulfillers of the Gospel of Christ, living for the sake of Christ as though the world an all therein did not exist. Ye settled on an island in the sea, whereon ye struggled assiduously against the invisible foe; by fasts, vigils, and all-night standing ye wisely subjected your bodies to the spirit; for this cause did ye receive worthy crowns from the right hand of the Almighty One. And now as ye stand before the All-holy Trinity, O all-blessed Fathers Sergius and Herman, pray that we be preserved in peace and that our souls be saved.
(Dismissal Hymn)
Paul the Physician of Corinth
Seeking to become a physician of both bodies and souls, Saint Paul, after completing his studies in medicine, became a monk. Upon entering the monastery, he was immediately assailed by the spirit of lust, but he overcame and uprooted the passion through fasting, prayer, and by making the sign of the precious and life-giving Cross. Enraged by his defeat, the demon deceived a woman to announce that the Monk Paul was a fornicator and the father of her new-born infant. Unfazed by her lies, the Saint prayed that God would reveal the truth and commanded the child to tell the crowd who his father actually was. The child immediately identified a local blacksmith with a strong and clear voice. Thus, Saint Paul’s accuser as well as the demon who inspired them were put to shame, and Saint Paul was given the gift to heal spiritual maladies as an icon of the Great Physician.
David of Thessalonica
After becoming a monk, Saint David, inspired by the lives of the holy stylites, climbed a tree near the monastery Church and lived on one of its branches for three years as the first of the dendrites (tree dwellers). Lifted up on the tree in imitation of Christ Jesus, he did battle with the passions, crucifying the flesh through asceticism. He constantly meditated on Holy Scripture and the Lives of the Saints for spiritual sustenance, and cried out hymns of praise like a bird bursting its throat in song. Having been lifted up both physically and spiritually, he drew men unto himself and guided them to the Lord as their spiritual father. Coming down from his tree for this purpose as well as and to minister to the people of Thessalonica, God gave him grace to heal all manner of sickness, restore sight to the blind, and drive out demons by calling on the Name of the Lord. Thus, he became a guardian angel in the flesh for the city and the whole region, his cell always being filled with a radiant light at night as he visited with God face-to-face like Moses. Later in an appearance before the Senate in the imperial city, David picked up a coal and used his hand as a censer to cense the faithful there showing that he had become a flaming pillar of love for God.
Hymnography
Since thou hadst mortified thy bodily members upon the earth, O Father, thou hadst Life dwelling in thy heart, even Christ, Who deadened the power of the devil who made mankind subject to death.
(Ode One, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
In obedience to the Master’s laws, O righteous David, thou didst take thy cross on thy shoulders following in his steps; and being lowly in humility, thou didst cast down the destroyer’s lofty pride.
(Ode One, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Martyr Agrippina
Living the life of an angel in the flesh, Saint Agrippina devoted herself to purity and virginity seeing it as a foretaste of the delights of heaven. As such, she shone forth like a beacon light in Old Rome, and drew other women – both young and old – who hoped to imitate her way of life. The hatred of the pagans being aroused, they denounced her to the local authorities during Valerian’s persecution accusing her of rebellion against the state by way of refusing marriage and deceiving others to do the same. Appearing before the tribunal she said that she and her followers had indeed been betrothed, but it was to the heavenly Bridegroom. Beaten, stripped, and left to rot in chains, she was completely healed by angels. Fearful of her influence spreading, the authorities had her executed shortly thereafter, leaving her body in a field to be consumed by beasts. Her spiritual sisters, however, recovered the holy relics and transported them to Menes in Sicily, guided all the while by a pillar of fire as Israel of old. Her sweet-scented presence immediately drove out the demons of that place whom the locals worshipped as gods, the darkness of error being thereby dispersed. Her relics continued to work miracles of healing and deliverance for all those who venerated them with faith.
Hymnography
Christ our God doth give thee as most precious treasure to Sicily, who hadst striven in Rome for Him, O Martyr of Great renown; and in Rome abiding, thou dost drive away the dark demons’ vile and wicked throng by thine unceasing protection and thy care. And for this cause, O much-contending Agrippina, we call thee blest, and we celebrate on this day thy great contests in holiness.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion; Vespers)
As Sicily receiveth the holy Martyr’s body, which hath flashed forth from Rome like a never-setting sun, it is delivered from the gloomy terror of demons.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The swords of the enemy were utterly enfeebled against thee, O Agrippina; and like cities without foundations, thou didst pull down his audacity with the bar of thy glorious contests.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Night became as day for them that carried away thy relics, O Martyr; and when a place filled with sweet fragrance received thee, the array of the demons was mightily driven away and a flood of healings flowed forth unto them that supremely exalt Christ unto the ages.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Martyr Julian of Tarsus
The Holy Martyr Julian was denounced to the Governor Marcia during Diocletian’s persecution. Threatened with tortures and beaten severely, the saint was ultimately force fed food sacrificed to idols and wine poured out in oblation to demons. Firthermore, they also forcefully placed a censer into his hand in front of the same idols. Thinking they had triumphed by this perverse and unholy mocking of the Most Holy Trinity, the Saint put them to shame when he calmly explained that things done under duress could not at all be considered a sacrifice. Sometime later, he won the crown of martyrdom when he was thrown into the sea in a sack filled with sand and various shining and venomous insects and reptiles. His relics, however, were later found by Christians and placed in the region of Antioch where, by God’s grace, they worked many miracles for those who came into contact with them; the sick were healed and those possessed by demons were delivered.
Hymnography
When the woman of sacred mind saw thee brought to dry land again from the briny deep by the Spirit’s helmsmanship, she then received and gave burial, O wise Martyr Julian, to thy pure and undefiled body, which had contended much in great sufferings and had cast down the tyranny and power of the devil when it triumphed with co-working of grace divine.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion; Vespers)
Receiving thy blest end, being drowned in the waters, therein didst thou thyself drown the multiform serpent, O wise Martyr Julian, and thou wannest the victory. Wherefore, as we celebrate thy praiseworthy mem’ry filled with love and longing, we entreat thee with ardor: Beseech Christ in our behalf.
(Sessional Hymn, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou broughtest to the ground the uplifted eye of the incorporeal avenger, O soldier of God, when thou, through bearing flesh, didst courageously wrestle against him, ever magnifying Christ.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst escape the lair of the dragon, the enemy and author of evil, O blessed Julian, when thou wast cast into the hollows of the sea; wherefore we magnify thee with hymns.
(Ode Nine, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
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)
James, who through Deception Venerated the Devil
Eager to test himself with great feats of asceticism, Saint James sought solitude before he was ready for it against the instructions of his spiritual father. Closing himself off in a cave, he hurled himself into a battle he did not understand, and, his efforts having seemingly been met with success, a destructive pride took root in his soul. After some time, a demon appeared to him the guise of an angel of light and told him to prepare himself because the Lord Himself would come to fill him with His Divine grace to an even greater degree. Having been thoroughly deceived, the disobedient and pretentious solitary made his preparations and, when a glorious figure appeared, Saint James prostrated himself before him. The devil, for that is who had actually appeared, then struck the man on the head and disappeared. Distraught and defeated, the monk left his retreat and went in tears to a holy elder who lived nearby. Seeing Saint James, the holy man exclaimed that he had been made a plaything of Satan, and instructed him to go and live the coenobitic life in a monastery. Obeying as he should have in the beginning, Saint James went and did just that. After long years of humility and obedience, he was given the blessing to retire to his cell where, as a well-seasoned warrior, he was able to achieve those things he had once tried to achieve out pf pride and out of order. Through faithfully keeping the strict rule of prayer given by his spiritual father, God eventually counted him worthy of the grace to work miracles. Redeemed and restored from his grievous fall, Saint James departed this life in peace.
Peter the Athonite
An elite soldier of the Byzantine army, the first Athonite was captured and imprisoned by Arab forces. Remembering in the darkness of his prison that he had vowed to become a monk in his youth, Saint Peter began his repentance and was enrolled in the Lord’s army. After being set free from prison by Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker and Saint Symeon the God-Receiver, Saint Peter was sent to sack the demonic stronghold on Mount Athos which Christ Jesus had given to His Holy Mother as her garden. After his arrival, he climbed the mountain and found a cave that had become a lair of beasts and demons. Without any hesitation, he settled there out of obedience and trust in the Lord, and the demons fled in the wake of such childlike faith. Infuriated by the onslaught of his prayer, the Devil sent his forces to attack him with frightful noises, and visions of arrows and high-pressured geysers. Saint Peter simply called out to the Theotokos and the demonic devices vanished. Realizing their attempts at artifice had failed, the demons stirred up all the wild animals and reptiles of the region and sent them against him as well, but they too were put to flight by the Name of the Lord and the sign of His cross. Victorious in battle, the holy ascetic steadily grew in virtue and the likeness of Christ. Knowing that he could not defeat Saint Peter, the Devil resorted to deception to try to get him to abandon his post. He disguised himself as a servant and presented himself to the Man of God reminding him of his parents and promising to find him a retreat closer to the city where they lived. Though he was affected by the vision, he told the youth that he had not been given leave to depart by the One who had sent him. Some years later, the demon tried yet again appearing to Saint Peter as an angel of light, but the ascetic replied that he was not deceived because he knew he was unworthy to entertain angels. Lashed by his humility as if with fire, the demon retreated yet again. By the end of his life, the Holy Mountain was being settled by an increasing number of monks, a testament to his success in battle. Even after death he continued putting the enemy to shame – a demon was cast out of a man when he touched the body of the Saint, and a man sent by the Devil to burn the holy relics was stopped by an unseen hand.
Hymnography
With what fair crowns of praise shall we crown the illustrious Peter of Athos? Name for him that led the Apostles’ choir and who himself led the Angel’s life, the rock of divine faith in Christ Savior; that summit of Holy Athos and its champion; the Virgin and Theotokos’s initiate; that indestructible anvil on the which were broken all the evil one’s treacheries; he who hath received bright crowns from heaven for all his victories.
(Lord, I have cried; First Troparion of Saint Peter)
Founded upon the unbreakable rock of faith with unwavering firmness, thou, O righteous Peter, wast not cast down by the assaults of the enemy or by all his multiform illusions; but rather, on stripping naked all his wickedness, thou leddest thy life in stillness and nakedness beyond the limits of nature, whereby thou hast put on the bright robe of gladness and joy by grace, and thou hast passed on to light never dimmed with eventide.
(Lord, I have cried; Third Troparion of Saint Peter)
Notable Athos, the holy inheritance of the Theotokos, glorieth in thy struggles, O all-blessed Peter. For ascending into this mountain, thou didst lift thy mind up to the everlasting mountains; and passing thy life in the unyielding practice of the virtues, though didst prove to be an immovable rock of patient endurance. For in thy steadfast purpose, O Father, thou didst endure the frenzied illusions of darkness and the many necessities of nature. Wherefore, at the sight of thine endurance Angels marveled, the demons trembled, and the Church is astonished, and crieth with exceeding gladness unto Him that gave thee strength: O Lord, glory be to Thee.
(For the Entreaty; Third Troparion)
Rejoice, star of Mount Athos most bright, thou Godlike dweller of the Mountain brought up thereon, thou sword cutting down the demons and hurling down their assaults; O unsleeping eye of stillness great in prayer; thou true and beloved friend of the pure Mother of our God, for, being cherished by her vigilant providence, thou didst dash the designs of the enemy. Blessed art thou, O Peter, mighty rock indestructible, thou living rule of invincible perseverance for hesychoasts. Implore Christ the Savior to grant pardon of our sins and great mercy to our souls.
(Second Troparion of the Aposticha)
To the Mountain of Athos thou rannest eagerly, led by the marvelous providence of the Mother of God; and thy way of life astonished mortals mightily. For thou didst live in nakedness and didst put to open shame malign Belial completely with thy persistent endurance, O Father Peter, glory of the Saints.
(Sessional Hymns after the Second Reading from the Psalter, Doxastikon; Orthros)
Ye who dwelt in the desert and showed it forth as a city, O marvelous pair of Saints, O glorious Onuphrios, and divine Peter, blest are ye. For the one dwelt in Egypt as thou incorporeal, while the other on Athos heaped shame on the dragon’s head. Wherefore, ye are heirs of every heavenly blessing, the Angel’s beloved friends, their companions and peers on high, unto whom we cry out with faith: Intercede with Christ our God that forgiveness of all their transgressions be granted to them that with longing keep your holy memory.
(Sessional Hymns after the Polyeleos, First Troparion; Orthros)
Thy servant Peter, having thy help, O immaculate Lady, destroyed with a staunch spirit the enemy’s cunning treacheries.
(Ode Three, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
Thou wentest forth naked to the strife and contest, O Saint, and thou didst strip naked all the foe’s devices by thine unwavering constancy. Struggling in the shadow of Mount Athos in labors, thou didst cast the demon’s foul despite down in ruin. For this, O blessed Peter, did Christ show thee forth marvellous.
(Sessional Hymns after Ode Three, Doxastikon; Orthros Canon)
The ven’rable Peter, having found thee truly to be a gracious defender and a speedy helper in war, O Virgin unstained and pure, calling on thy hallowed name, he threw down the devil, running to the end the course of God-pleasing virtues; and now he doth behold the pure light of thy great majesty.
(Sessional Hymns after Ode Three, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
The swarms of demons, beholding thy way of life, fell upon thee with all manner of treacheries; but their madness was defeated by thy constancy, O Peter, as thou didst fix thy gaze upon the grace of God.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Raging against thee with all his power, the guileful enemy appeared with a multitude of archers frantic with martial fury; but thou, clothed with the whole armor of the all-pure Virgin, didst turn to flight his wanton audacity.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The godly-minded Peter, cleansed in mind and poetically beholding the thy glory, O only transcendently glorious and Lady graced of God, manfully endured the villainies of the demons and hurled their presumption to the ground.
(Ode Five, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
The crafty foe, waxing wanton against thee, set upon thee in the form of terrible serpents and wild beasts; but thou didst dash him to the ground with the invocation of the all-pure Virgin.
(Ode Six, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Protected by the immaterial overseeing of the Theotokos, thou didst pass unhurt through the plots of the dragon, O God-bearing Peter, and didst water Athos with the sweat of thy struggles.
(Ode Six, Of Saint Peter, Theotokion; Orthros Canon)
In the form of thy domestic servant, and of an archangel of the Lord of Hosts, the enemy of what is good came to lead thee into error, unerring star that thou wast, but he was put to shame by thy prayers.
(Ode Seven, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
How shall I laud thy life, and thy trophies against the demons? For thou didst contend like an immaterial being in a material body and threwest down the enemy’s tens of thousands of treacheries.
(Ode Seven, Of Saint Peter, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thy hallowed reliquary is an inexhaustible source of healing, which endeth the cruel violence of grievous diseases and manifestly chaseth away unclean spirits; for the divine grace dwelling therein worth strange wonders.
(Ode Nine, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art the chief of hesychasts on Mount Athos, completing mighty struggles beyond all measure: Hence, O righteous Peter, we all call thee blest, as the unshaken rock of faith which to the end dashed to pieces the fierce assaults of the demons.
(Exapostalaria, Of Saint Peter; Orthros)
Peter, righteous boast of Athonites, the bright achievements and feats of they conflicts and victories and the high singular prizes won by thy way of life amaze our minds and confirm our souls in faith, while turning back in defeat demons’ troops. What labors thou didst bear! Living out thy life as incorporeal, naked and unsheltered from the ruthless elements.
(For the Praises, Of Saint Peter, First Troparion; Orthros)
Swayed by the Virgin’s divine behest , thou wentest zealously forth to Mount Athos to lead a life of relentless discipline far transcending the fallen world. Upon destroying the demons’ phantasies, thou didst receive bread of Angels for thy food. What grace most marvelous was bestowed on thee as thy reward from God, O God-bearing Peter, for thy pains in solitude.
(For the Praises, Of Saint Peter, Second Troparion; Orthros)