As a zealous young monk, Saint Nicetas fell victim to the wiles of the Devil who inflamed him with vainglorious thoughts of becoming a recluse without the blessing of his abbot. Having shut himself up in a cave, one day he heard a voice, and, thinking he has been vouchsafed a divine vision, called out for the Lord to reveal himself. The Devil then appeared to him as angel of light and ordered him to stop praying saying that he (the “angel”) would pray in his stead. Furthermore, he commanded that he should read only from the Old Testament. The deceived and disobedient Nicetas prostrated himself before the vision and promised to obey. Some time later, the Devil began appearing regularly to provide his thrall with knowledge of things happening in the world that he could not otherwise have known. Thinking they were prophecies, he began proclaiming them to those visiting the monastery. As a result the monk’s fame increased and the Enemy of mankind was able to cast his net ever wider. When the elders of the monastery noticed that Nicetas never spoke to his visitors from the New Testament, they investigated the matter further in prayer and realized that he had fallen prey to the evil one. Breaking down the door to his cave, they routed the Devil by their prayer and called forth Nicetas like Lazarus from the tomb. Upon emerging, God granted him the consolation of a child-like mind, wiping away all trace of his fall, and leaving him only with an impression of the necessity of obedience. From that firm foundation, the abbot and elders built him into the very example of monastic humility and repentance using as their tools the common life of the brotherhood. He advanced so far in the path of holiness that he was eventually made the Bishop of Novgorod where he was the source of many blessings for his flock both before and after his death.
Category: Bishop
Indicates saints who held the office of Bishop in the Church.
Honoratus, Archbishop of Arles and Founder of the Monastery of Lerins
In the garden, our First Parents were attacked by the deception of that envious serpent, the Devil. Thereafter, in some circumstances, the snake has become a symbol of his malice and hate for man. Such was the case on the deserted Isles of Lerins in Gaul which was infested by the beasts when Saint Honoratus and his spiritual Father arrived there to found the famous monastery. But, having following the Lord’s command to be “wise as serpents, ” — the redemption of the negative symbolism — the future Archbishop drove them off by his prayer. In place of the desolate wilderness, he cultivated a garden of the Theotokos, which provided the Church with many fruitful tress and flowers, the saints of Lerins.
Sylvester, Pope of Rome
The teacher of Saint Constantine the Great, Saint Sylvester inspired the Emperor to construct seven basilicas in Rome to the glory of Christ Jesus. Angered by his decreasing influence in the Empire that once so ferociously persecuted Christians at his command, the devil inspired Saint Helena, who at that time was still enamored by Judaism, to organize a public debate between 12 Christian bishops, led by Saint Sylvester, and 12 Jewish scribes led by a known named Zambrius. After being soundly defeated by the holy Pope who clearly demonstrated Christ and the Most Holy Trinity from his own Old Testament scriptures, Zambrius thought to inspire awe by cursing a bull and causing its death at a mere word. Thinking he had triumphed, the insolent man challenged Saint Sylvester to do the same. The holy man, however, simply replied that His was the God of the living and not the dead, and, at his prayer, the animal was restored to life again. Thus the Christian party proved victorious and the enemy of mankind was put to shame.
Hieromartyr Marcellus, Bishop of Apamea
When the Emperor Theodosius ordered the destruction of pagan temples throughout the empire, Saint Marcellus set about the work with divine zeal, pulling down shrines and building churches on their ruins to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. One temple, however, the Temple of Jupiter resisted all such efforts because the demon who dwelt there and accepted the worship of the Romans refused to be driven out. Filled with the spirit and power of the Prophet Elijah, the holy Bishop had three column of the colonnade uncovered, piled wood around the bases of them, had the wood covered with water, and then called on the lord to reveal Himself by fire. Like with the prophet of old, fire descended from heaven and set the bushels alight. Not long after the whole of the temple collapsed under the weight of Divine Judgment. Sometime later, Saint Marcellus, the scourge of demons, was set upon and martyred as he was overseeing the destruction of yet another pagan temple dedicated to idol worship.
Tikhon of Zadonsk, the Wonderworker and the Bishop of Voronezh
A professor of Rhetoric at a seminary in Novgorod, Saint Tikhon was vouchsafed a vision of the uncreated light which ignited in him a desire for the monastic life and heychia. The Lord, however, had need of him in the vineyard of his Church, and so, not long after becoming a monk, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Voronezh. He gave himself so completely to this work that, having completely exhausted himself with his pastoral efforts, he was forced to retire to a monastery after only five years. There he lived like an angel in the flesh – a model of perfect obedience and humility despite his exalted rank. Often he was so caught up in the contemplation of God that he had to be physically jostled to pry away his attention. Once he was tempted to take up again his ministry as Bishop for the good of the Church, but the Theotokos instructed him to remain in the monastery through an appearance to a venerable old monk. If ever he was assailed by dark thoughts suggested by the Evil One, he drove them away by repeating verses from Psalm 118 (LXX). At the end of his life, he withdrew to the complete reclusion of his cell where he prayed without ceasing for the salvation of the whole world.
Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople
Drawn to the study of Holy Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers from an early age, and raised with a monastic bearing at the feet of a local hermit whose way of life he admired, Saint Niphon was a bright light of the Church as well as a rod of correction for the erring during the aftermath of the false union that emerged from the Council of Florence. Though he longed for hesychia, he and his elder were frequently sent out to teach and confirm the people in the Faith that had been handed down to them. The combination of his personal piety and his ability to rightly divide the truth, Saint Niphon was eventually consecrated a Bishop. Despite his commitments he saw prayer for the world as his first responsibility and the firm foundation on which the rest of his ministry would be built, so he withdrew to the Holy Mountain, eventually settling in the Monastery of Dionysiou. Because of his reputation as the teacher of Athos, he was summoned to the imperial city to take part in a meeting of the Holy Synod. When the Patriarch died near the start of the meeting, Saint Niphon was unanimously elected to succeed him. Jealous that he had no claim to the holy Hierarch and seeing this as his chance to topple a a strong adversary, Satan sent envious men to oppose and impede the work of the new Ecumenical Patriarch. But despite slavery to the Turks and the word of the evil one, the Church flowered as in the springtime of a new martyrdom, guided along by the steady hand, clear teaching, and patient endurance of the Saint. Suffering repeated humiliations, depositions, and exiles at the hands of both political supporters and adversaries, the Saint turned everything to prayer and even hid himself by entering his former Monastery again as a simple novice. But such a light cannot be hidden under a bushel, and by the grace of God he was revealed so that he could continue profiting the Church with his God-inspired teachings until his blessed falling asleep.
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)
Tikhon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Amathus on Cyprus
As a child, Saint Tikhon showed signs of his devotion to the gospel by giving to the poor all the loaves his father, a baker, had given him to sell in the market. When his father angrily confronted him about what he had done, the Saint simply assured him that they would see their recompense from the Lord. Sure enough, the next time they went into their storeroom, it was full of the wheat they used for baking. With such a natural inclination for almsgiving, it was no surprise that, after being made a Deacon, he was put in charge of distributing the Church’s goods. As a teacher of the Faith, he multiplied converts like the wheat in his barns. Such effective ministrations continued after he was made Bishop of Amathus, his argumentation fortified by miracles. One such feat was the casting out of demons by the grace of God. He continued this help for faithful even after death. One day, a family came to the Saint’s grave asking his intercession for their daughter who was possessed by a demon and had been rendered deaf and dumb. When nothing happened, they left, the parents accusing themselves of a failure to properly repent. At that moment, Saint Tikhon appeared and encouraged them to persist in their prayers. At that moment, the demon fled the child crying out that he cold not bear the Wonderworking Saint’s boldness before the Lord, and that had driven him out.
Hymnography
As a vessel of the Divine Spirit, O Hierarch, thou art an expeller of evil spirits, a cleanser of passions, and a healer of maladies.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The evil one availed not to shake the house of thy soul, O God-inspired Father; for thou truly stoniest on the rock of truth, made strong with divine might.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Adorned with the wisdom of God, arrived at the height of virtues, and being lowly of heart, O most sacred Tikhon, thou didst destroy the swollen conceit of the evil one by grace.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
As it is written, a crown of graces was set upon thy divine head, O Father, when thou didst raise up the victory over the enemy and didst sing: O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
(Ode Seven, Three Troparion; Orthros Canon)
From childhood thou didst turn away from a childish mind, and with a mature understanding thou didst cast down the ancient inventor of evil, O Tikhon, as thou didst shout: O ye works, bless ye the Lord.
(Ode Eight, Fifth Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria
When the great beacon of the Church, elucidator of the Hypostatic union, and champion of the Theotokos, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, had been newly consecrated as Patriarch, he set out to immediately crush the last vestiges of paganism in the lands under his authority. One of the final strongholds of the enemy was an oracle in the city of Menuthis which was infamous for its demonically-inspired revelations. Saint Cyril decided to translate the relics of Saints Cyrus and John to the city, leading the week-long procession himself. Upon arrival, the grace of God working through the presence of His saints drove off the demons who could not bear to be in their presence. Thus through the decisive and God-inspired action of Saint Cyril, the city was liberated from demonic tyranny and was brought under the protection of Saints Cyrus and John.
Hymnography
Made strong in Christ, O Cyril, with steadfast resolve thou hast destroyed the devices of the crooked dragon like a spider’s web.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Hieromartyr Erasmus of Ochrid
Like a new Prophet Elijah, Saint Erasmus was also fed by ravens as he led the ascetic life in the Antiochian wilderness during Diocletian’s persecution. Elected Bishop against his will, he left the desert to lead the life of an Apostle, spreading the gospel through preaching attended by miracles. At Ochrid, he raised a Father and his child from the dead, cast down the idols in the temple, and won the whole city to Christ. For this he was made to appear before the Emperor, Maximian, who asked him what gods he worshipped. The saint calmly replied by asking him the same question, so he was taken to the Temple of Zeus. Upon entering, he cast a stern glance at a large bronze statue of the god, which melted under his righteous gaze. Showing its true nature, a dragon emerged from the remnants of the statue and began to terrorize the people who immediately asked to be baptized, fleeing to the God of Saint Erasmus for protection. The Saint received them into the faith and killed the dragon, only to be arrested for his troubles. The new converts were immediately put to death, and the holy Martyr was tortured and thrown into a prison cell. He was freed from prison by the Holy Archangel Michael and taken to Campania where he continued to proclaim the True Faith. At the time of his death, he was granted a martyrs crown, the faithful seeing it descend from heaven.