One of the Seventy and a disciple of the Saint Paul, Saint Carpus is mentioned in Holy Scripture as having held a cloak for the Apostle to the Nations (2 Timothy 4:13). A successful evangelist in his own right and zealous for the Truth, he was made Bishop of Beroea in Thrace after having converted many pagans to the faith. In that capacity, God gave him the grace to work miracles and cast out demons, and, as a result, there was always a continuous stream of people coming to Holy Baptism.
Hymnography
Nerved with divine power, O Apostle, thou didst destroy the dragon that spake blasphemy to the uttermost, and didst save them that were perishing because of him.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Category: Miracles
Indicates saints whose defeat of the demons was particularly accompanied by miracles.
Nicetas the Stylite of Pereyaslavl
A particularly violent tax collector of Pereyaslavl-Zelessky, Saint Nicetas followed the path of that other tax collector, the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, after hearing the words of the Glorious Prophet Isaiah at Vespers calling the faithful to, “remove the evil of your deeds from before [the Lord’s] eyes” (Isaiah 1:16). Desperate to be washed clean, he fled to the Monastery of the Great Martyr Nicetas where he cried out for help for his imperiled soul. His sincerity being tested by the monks in various ways, the Saint patiently endured saying only that he needed help because he was perishing. He hungrily embraced the ascetic life, nourishing his soul on prayer, fasting, and night vigil. At night, he was attacked by the demons who had formerly enslaved him, but he drove them off with the sign of the cross and by asking for the intercession of Saint Nicetas, the patron and protector of the Monastery. Wishing his battle to remain secret, he took up residence on a pillar like the stylites of old where he continued to seek the Lord with tears. Despite these efforts, his reputation began to spread and, eventually, he became known to the pious Prince Michael of Chernigov who had fallen ill and become paralyzed. The Prince set out for the Monastery of Saint Nicetas at once. Knowing that the Prince’s deliverance was at hand if he made it to the monastery, a demon took on the guise of a monk and told Michael to turn around because the holy stylite was nothing but a fraud. Disturbed and confused, the Prince journeyed onward still. Seeing his failure, the demon tried again, this time appearing as a monk with a shovel. He told the Boyar that the Nicetas had died and that he had just buried him. This time, Prince Michael saw through the deception and chased the demons away by simply invoking the name of the Stylite. Having persevered, the Prince’s envoy arrived at the Saint’s pillar. Saint Nicetas gave him his walking stick, and upon receiving it, Prince Michael was healed and was able to walk on his own two feet to receive the man of God’s blessing.
Symeon the Younger, Stylite of the Wondrous Mountain
A living pillar of the Church, Saint Symeon revealed himself to be a seasoned warrior of the Lord from the tender age six by becoming a stylite in imitation of his Spiritual Father, John. Seeing in his way of life an indication of the way into the Kingdom, the Saint sought to decisevly put the “Old Man” to death in his infancy, by matching, and even exceeding, the spiritual labors of his elder (Romans 6:6). Ever victorious in his battle with the demons who hurled themselves against him, Symeon was consoled and strengthened after each attack by visions sent from the Lord. In one of these, he was anointed with a sweet-scented oil that drove back the demon hordes. Thus, he laid his foundation on the rock of Christ such that he could not be shaken by a storm sent by the Devil to topple him. From then he began to beg God to release him from the tyranny of nature, the blameless passions, and began to fast more severely and to keep vigil on his pillar. This progress in the ascetic life caused the demons to become even more fierce in their opposition, but the Saint easily dispatched them with he help of three angels sent by God to defend him. From then on, Saint Symeon simply commanded the enemies of mankind with the voice of authority and restored the afflicted with a word. The Emperor Justin II once wrote the holy stylite a letter informing him that his daughter had been possessed by a demon. The Saint simply told Justin that he should give thanks to God because his daughter would be delivered as soon as he received his return letter. After always having striven heavenward in both body and soul, Saint Symeon died in peace, and his soul was taken to Paradise by the angels he so closely resembled.
Hymnography
Thy divine life shone with the splendor of revelations; and filled with the fragrance of their divine myrrh, thou, like an athlete in contest, didst cut down the assailing hordes of demons, O servant of God.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The enemy, frenziedly shooting with his bow, emptied his quiver of soul-slaying arrows, but was unable to shake the tower of thy soul, O God-bearer; for it was firmly established on the unbreakable rock of Christ.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
When the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit divinely took up its abode in thee, it moved all those maddened by evil spirits to hasten to thee from the farthest parts; and healing them with thy palm staff, thou toughest them thus: Praise the Creator unto the ages.
(Ode Eight, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Martyr Basiliscus
Having been imprisoned and interrogated with two fellow athletes of Christ, Saint Basiliscus was distraught when he was sent back to prison while his fellows received the martyr’s crown. The Lord Himself appeared in his cell to comfort the saint, telling him that his Name had surely been written in the Book of Life and that he too would would get the chance to “[fill] up what [was] lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body…the Church” (Colossians 1:24). That same night, the Lord freed him from his prison so that he could say goodbye to his family and encourage them in the Faith. Having accomplished his purpose, he showed a firm resolve and faithfulness to Christ by willfully returning to the prison where, the next morning, he was ordered to be transferred to Comana for judgment. Like a new Ignatius of Antioch, he made the trip joyfully despite having iron sandals nailed to his feet before they departed. Stopping along the way for food, they secured the holy Martyr by tying him to a dead tree, an image of the Cross of our Lord. When, by the prayers of the Saint, an earthquake occurred, his captors rushed to see if Basiliscus had escaped. They found him bound as he had been, but the tree was seen to be verdant and lush, a stream of water gushing out from its roots. All who saw the miracle were filled with fear, and a great many were converted on the spot, the Martyr ministering to them by healing the sick and casting out demons. Determined to achieve his purpose, Saint Basiliscus insisted that the journey be continued. Arriving finally at the place of judgment, the Martyr reduced the idols of the pagan temple to ash, calling down fire upon them by offering a sacrifice of praise to the True God who made the Heavens and the Earth. Realizing his utter impotence before Lord who is wondrous in His saints, the enraged governor finally ordered that the Saint be beheaded.
Hymnography
When thy feet had been shod with shoes set with nails piercing through thy flesh, thou didst walk with joy on the path of martyrdom; and with them, thou troddest underfoot the head of the evil foe, wholly crushing it to dust; and since thou hadst been well equipped, thou didst walk the way unto Heaven, O famous Basiliscus, to appear before the Master as a brave victor most glorious.
(Second Troparion of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)
Thou didst strangle Satan with the divine cords of thy words, O prizewinner; wherefore, thou wast adorned with diadems of victory, O Martyr Basiliscus.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Confidently walking the the path of martyrdom, thou bravest the enemy’s sharp goads, O glorious Basiliscus.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
When thy feet were pierced with nails, O godly-minded one, they utterly crushed the head of the craft enemy.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The Master awardeth honors to thee, who foughtest hard, and didst destroy the enemy’s devices and didst fervently sing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, unto the ages.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou becamest a victor over the tyrants and the spirits of wickedness, O glorious Basiliscus, as thou didst unceasingly sing unto Him that gave thee strength: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
As Elijah the Tishbite brought down fire from heaven in time past, so thou by thy prayer broughtest down the flame whereby the idol’s temple was burnt up, and the images of the demons were consumed, and God the Creator is magnified, O blessed Basiliscus.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou wast released from the body at the stroke of the sword, and the venerable powers received thy divine spirit, which by grace overcame the evil spirits of wickedness; and now thou dwellest in the realms on high wearing a crown, O wise and all-blessed Basiliscus.
(Ode Nine, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Stephen of Piper
Zealous for fasting and prayer from his youth, Saint Stephen became a monk in a Montenegrin monastery dedicated to the mother of God. Eventually made a priest and then abbot, he was the true image of the Good Shepherd, guiding and watching over both his monks and the faithful of the region. When the relentless threatening and pillaging of the Turks made life their impossible, the monks fled into the wilderness. The saint determined to make solitude his consolation, and so, entering into a small cave, he invested himself in the ascetic life. There he battled the demons for seven years, beating back their assaults and putting them to flight. Like Moses when he fought off the Amalekites held up by Aaron and Hur, he was supported in this effort by locals who guarded the cave by day and by a miraculous cloud of mist that concealed his presence by night. With the victory secured, he departed to some land given him by the Piperi family where he established a new monastery, directing the life of the community for 37 years before his blessed falling asleep.
Martyr Thalleleus
A holy unmercenary who healed the sick of all backgrounds free of charge, Saint Thalleleus asked only that all would turn their hearts unto Christ who is the true Great Physician. By his ministry he truly showed that, when the Lord so wills, the order of nature is overcome. By his prayers the sick were healed. In his sufferings at the hands of Governor Theodore, the eyes of his torturers were blinded, and the strength of the tyrant failed. Like the Three Holy Children, fire was for him a cooling dew. When he was abandoned at sea, the waters placidly carried him back to shore. Beasts meant to devour him gamboled at his feet. Having been made victorious over the visible creation, he, as a co-worker with God, also put the invisible creation back into order, casting out demons by the sign of the cross and through the proclamation of the Name of Christ, the One who heals all ills.
Hymnography
Guarded by piety and strengthened by the grace of the All-compassionate God, O Thalleleus, thou didst set out for struggles with a courageous mind, destroying the strongholds of the enemy and carrying off the victory.
(Ode One, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
We know thee to be a most holy temple and dwelling of the Three-Sun Glory, O blessed Thalleleus, who didst dash to pieces the temples and idols of the evil demons.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst turn to flight the hordes of demons, O wise Thalleleus, having the holy Angels as fellow workers at the time of thy struggles, by whom thou wast shown to be a crown-bearer and didst attain to glory.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
By the working of miracles, thou deliverest the faithful from diverse sicknesses, freeing them from temptations and driving away the battalions of demons by thine entreaties, O adornment of Martyrs.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthos Canon)
Piously proclaiming one nature and one will and counsel and might of the Divine Trinity, O glorious Thalleleus, thou didst wisely destroy the blasphemy of many gods; and having patiently endured many pains, thou wast greatly glorified.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
By the stroke of the sword, thou wast offered up as an unblemished and holy victim unto the sacrificed Lamb, and slowest the serpent who once in Paradise destroyed Adam and Eve with the death of disobedience.
(Ode Eight, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Pausicacius, Bishop of Synnada
An unmercenary physician of the body in the world, Saint Pausicacius became a monk and also began caring for the souls of those who came to him for aid. He especially enjoyed cases that had otherwise been given up as hopeless. Having increased his ascetic striving, the Lord worked miraculous healings by his prayers, setting aright deformities of the body (especially children), and casting out demons that caused deformities of the soul. Later, as a result of his growing renown, he was made Bishop of Synnada where he rightly divided the word of truth showing zeal for the true Faith.
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)
Tarasius of Lycaonia, the Wonderworker
Seeking the Lord from his childhood through fasting, prayer, vigils, and tears, Saint Tarasius offered himself to God as a living sacrifice and was thus granted the grace to work miracles. Through this gift he was able to cast out demons by his prayers amongst other wondrous signs of God’s care for the faithful.
Hilary the Wonderworker
Saint Hilary took up his cross to follow Christ in his youth, starting his battle against the passions as early as possible. Having subjected the flesh to the spirit, he was granted the grace to heal ailments of soul and body, delivering the faithful from illnesses and casting out demons. He was also able to overcome the order of nature by his prayer, calming storms, turning back rivers, making arid deserts fertile, and taming wild animals.