Born of Muslim parents, Saint Constantine was blinded as a youth by a malicious magician who, prompted by a demon, gave him a poison potion to drink. Bedridden for three years as a result, his desperate mother heeded the suggestion of a Christian woman to have him submerged in a miraculous pool. Like a foreshadowing of his eventual baptism, the holy Martyr was healed and a seed of salvation was planted in his heart which was watered each time he heard someone teaching about the Christian Faith. This eventually led him to the Holy Mountain he converted and began to responsibly cultivate a desire to give his life as a thank offering to Christ in imitation of the holy martyrs. Put off from this purpose for a time by his spiritual father, Saint Constantine traveled to Magnesia to affect the conversion of his sister. During this trip he was recognized by a Turk and was arrested as an apostate from Islam. This circumstance fanned the flame of his desire which had been as a smoldering coal, and the holy Martyr was given the courage to endure. Again at the prompting of a demon, his torturer devised a metal helmet meant to both retain heat and place a crushing pressure on the sides of his head. This helmet was heated in the fire and placed on Saint Constantine’s head. Meant for evil, the device became for him the helmet of salvation in the armor of God. When they began to cut and beat him, a golden cross appeared on his chest which became impervious to their assaults. Seeing they could do nothing else to the Martyr, he was bung upside down for the night where he suffered demonic attacks in the form of various temptations and apparitions. Saint Constantine, however, had been purified by the refiners fire, and easily repulsed the assault on his soul. He was further strengthened by a vision of the Mother of God who told him that he would survive to bear witness of her Son in Constantinople, but would eventually carry off the martyr’s crown . There a kindly priest offered to have him released, but the Saint declined. Appearing before the judge, he suggested that the judge be converted. The enraged man instead ordered that he be beaten and hung. Thus, the prophecy of the Theotokos came to pass, and Saint Constantine proved himself to be a faithful servant of the Lord to the end.
Category: Patient Endurance
Indicated saints for whom their defeat of the demons included patient endurance.
Jeremiah the Anchorite
As soon as he was able Jeremiah devoted himself to the eremitic life, living in silence and solitude in the high deserts of Syria. Like the man who found the pearl of great price, he sold all the pleasures and conveniences of this world, to buy the field in which he found it. In that field he endured all the deprivations of the ascetic life, counting them nothing compared to the treasures he received directly from the Lord’s hand, especially patience and endurance. He mounted up into the heavens using these two virtues as wings, and became a friend of God. Miracles and the power to cast out demons flowed from his continuous nearness to Christ, his only hope and consolation.
Germanus, Bishop of Paris
Saint Germanus was made a monk and priest after living a pious and faithful life as a young man. Dedicated to a life of strict austerity, his rigorous approach to the ascetic life sometimes caused problems between him and his Bishop. Nevertheless, the remained in obedience to his Father in Christ even when he was imprisoned by him. On one occasion, his cell door opened of its own accord, but he would not leave until he received a blessing to do so. In the middle of the Sixth Century, he was called to Paris by King Childebert and made Bishop of the city. Despite his new responsibilities, he did not ease his rule of prayer or way of life, adding the care of his flock as an additional labor. For his faithfulness, God granted Saint Germanus the ability to work miracles, heal the sick, and cast out demons by his prayer. He made sure that those whom he had delivered remained near to him for some time, so that he could continue in prayer with and for them and ensure that they had both been set free and had begun to live a life of repentance.
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)
Righteous Job the Long-Suffering
In the Old Testament book that bears his Name, the Lord holds up Job to Satan as a uniquely faithful servant in his time. The accuser, hoping to add the righteous one to his rebellion, challenges God to withdraw his hand of protection so that the he can strike his possessions, family, and his health. The enemy of mankind asserts that if the Lord allowed this, that Job would respond by cursing him. God permits Satan to proceed so that his glory and righteousness can be revealed through his servant. Having lost all but his life, Job goes into mourning failing to understand why these things have befallen him. Hearing of his misfortunes, Job’s friends come to mourn and speak with him. They suggest that he is being punished for some sin that he has committed in the past, but Job is unaware of anything for which he needs to repent. The friends then accuse him of trying to justify and declare himself righteous over and against God’s judgment. The righteous one denies this as well explaining that, even if he was not aware of anything for which he could reproach himself, he could still not justify himself before God for no one is righteous before Him. Finding no consolation from his friends but only further torment, Job asks to be judged by God directly. The Lord responds by speaking directly to him describing his creation of all things as well as his care and rule over the smallest of details, including Job’s trials which were not allowed as a punishment but to reveal God’s righteousness. Having realized that his very suffering constituted a revelation of the incomprehensibility of the unfathomable God, Job confesses that in the past he had heard about the Lord, but that now, seeing Him, he truly regards himself as just dust and ashes. As such, he intercedes that his friends be forgiven of their sins. In response to his humility and trust, the Lord restores Job, giving Him more blessings than he had previously received. Thus, he triumphs over the wiles of the enemy by his humility and a true understanding of who he is and Who God is.
Hymnography
Thinking it would not be easy to overturn the just man while he was fenced about with wealth, the adversary requested him, and violently wrestling with him when he was naked, was himself cast down and broken; for through his patience, the just man cried out: Let us sing unto our God, for gloriously is He glorified.
(Ode One, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Through a wife’s words the serpent, the author of evil, struck at thees he did to the author of our race; but he that boasted without measure was cheated of his villainy.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Come, let us all bless Job, that pure and blameless man, who in the Spirit’s strength was an immovable and mighty pillar that stood firm before all the foe’s devices. Let us sing his praise in faith; he is truly a very great servant of our Savior Christ, and he pleaders in our behalf, imploring Christ with earnest entreaty to rescue our should from every peril.
(Sessional Hymn, Orthros Canon)
Having built an invincible stronghold for thy soul, O glorious one, thou didst courageously withstand the terrible billows of the enemy.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
The adversary of the just, though he smote thee with evil sores and stripped thee of thy goods, was not able to bow down the tenor of thy soul; but thou didst cry out in song: O God of our Fathers, blessed are Thou.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Job is worthily crowned with the splendor of patience, but thou, O Satan, dost lament and art dejected, unable to bear the crowning of the just man; for having cherished vain hopes, thou hast been put to shame, O thou who alone art utterly hostile to the just.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion, Orthros Canon)
Xenia the Wonderworker
A beautiful woman made all the more radiant by her acquisition of the Christian virtues, the regional prefect, Dometian, hired a magician to cast a love spell on Saint Xenia who he wanted for his wife. The saint easily defeated the dark arts by the power of the cross, and declared the Lord to be her heavenly spouse. Enraged by her faithfulness to Christ, the prefect subjected her to various forms of torture which proved just as powerless as the spell enwrapped as she was in prayer. When he, nonetheless, convinced himself that she was ready to renounce her faith for him, he took her to a pagan temple to offer sacrifice, but the saint immediately cast down the idols by her prayer. Incensed by her continued rejection, Dometian eventually had her beheaded and her heart delivered to him on a platter as if he were a new Herod.
Martyr Maura
After her husband had been put to the torture and imprisoned by Diocletian’s Prefect of Thebes, Arian, the tyrant hoped that he could get Saint Maura to convince her husband to renounce the faith order to save his life. Much to the contrary, after speaking with her husband, she too boldly confessed Christ and proclaimed that she was ready to die for Christ. After being subjected to multiple tortures to which she responded with disdain and ridicule at their impotence, Maura and her husband, Timothy, were crucified side-by-side having been tied to their crosses. Her patient and uncomplaining endurance proved to be a scourge to the demons, and, in order to end his humiliation, the Devil appeared to her as a man offering the saint milk and honey to pull down her vision from the creator to the created as he did with our first Mother. Maura, however, easily defeated this temptation through prayer. The Devil then redoubled his efforts at temptation by transporting her to an illusory land flowing with milk and honey. Filled with righteous anger at this further deception, the holy martyr rebuked the enemy of mankind saying the she preferred rather the draught of eternal life. Having been routed, the demon fled from the saint and, like when Christ was tempted in the wilderness, and angel came to minister to her. The next day, the 10th day of their crucifixion, Saints Maura and Timothy both carried off the martyrs crown.
Hymnography
August Martyr Maura blest of God, with thy brightly flashing visage and the light of thy grace, thou didst benight and dim the eyes of the evil tyrant; when thy foes tore out thy hair, though didst openly speak unto God; and with the water heated up in the seething cauldron, thou didst burn the unjust head of deceitful Belial.
(Second Troparion of the Saints, Lord, I have cried)
Clad with the breastplate of the Divine Spirit, O venerable Maura, thou joyfully wentest forth to wrestle with the adversary, and didst defeat him and didst receive the crowns of victory, O Martyr.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion, Orthros Canon)
In keeping the law of the Ruler of all, ye did not bow down to the rule of the transgressors; ye did not offer worship to the wicked demons, O noble Martyrs, heirs of the Lord.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, Orthros Canon)