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.
Category: Destruction of Idols
Indicates saints whose defeat of the demons was accompanied by the destruction of idols.
Martyr Eusignius of Antioch
A veteran soldier who had served in the imperial army for over 50 years, Saint Eusignius was denounced to the Apostate Emperor, Julian, for being a Christian. His years of long service ensuring him a public trial, the Martyr, in imitation of the Prophet King David in the Psalms (Psalm 95 LXX) and the Holy Apostle Paul in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, revealed the Greek gods and idols to be nothing more than demons, defeating them by his utter disdain. When many soldiers who witnessed this spectacle indicated their willingness to be converted in response to the Martyr’s kingly bearing in suffering, Julian had Saint Eusignius beheaded immediately.
Hymnography
O Eusignius, thou didst prove an invincible man of war; being hedged about with the weapon of the Cross, thou wentest forth to contend against the merciless enemy; dashing him upon the ground, thou didst triumph most splendidly. Now thou hast received the bright crown of thy vic’try from the only Lord and Setter of the contest, He that is King everlastingly.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion of the Saint; Vespers)
Since thou hadst achieved humility through godly ways, O prizewinner, thou overthrewest the proud spirit of him that fell through wickedness.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
When thou foughtest in war, thou wast seen to be an invincible soldier; and when thou underwentest martyrdom, thou didst utterly destroy incorporeal adversaries.
(Ode Four, Fourth Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
With thy noble ways, thou didst establish in thy heart the understanding of the truth,, and wast not ignorant of the adversary’s devices; wherefore, when thou rannest to the conflict, thou didst destroy his battalions with the Cross as thine ally.
(Ode Six, First Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
When the demons’ servants learned that thou wast a servant of the Holy Trinity, they subjected thee to torments, prisons, and an unjust death, O all-blessed Martyr Eusignius; but they were conquered by thine invincible resistance.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
The torrents of thy blood have dried up the miry torrents of iniquity, and the rivers of godlessness, and the wicked floods of the deceiver, O Martyr; but for the faithful they are an inextinguishable sea of healings.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
By the power of Christ thou hast slain the powerless enemy, who is puffed up and vaunteth himself now truly for nought; and thou hast bowed thy neck to the stroke of the sword, O Martyr, and hast sanctified the whole earth with the flow of thy blood.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
O Jesus, Son of Glory, Who hast today made bright the memorial of Thy prizewinner, by his intercessions enlighten my soul, darkened with the serpent’s deceit, I pray Thee, that I may glorify Thee as true God and the Friend of man.
(Ode Nine, Fourth Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
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)
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.
Martyr Meletius the General
The piety and faith of the Roman General Meletius was such that, fearing their destruction at his hands, the demons of Galatia, his duty station, abandoned the idols they had previously inhabited and possessed a pack of stray dogs. In this guise they began roaming the city seeking Christians to attack. Making use of military tactics in spiritual warfare, Saint Meletius led a small band of Christian soldiers as well as some angels sent by God, to stalk and kill the beasts, expelling the demons by splitting them in two as did Abraham when made his covenant with God. Seeking to cut off any retreat, this General of the Lord’s army, went to the pagan temple and crushed the lifeless pagan idols by his prayer. Their mission completed, Saint Meletius and his human companions were arrested, tortured to no avail, and finally martyred, Meletius by hanging on a pine tree. The pagan sorcerer Callinicus was martyred along with them, having confessed Christ after seeing that his magic spells had no effect whatsoever on the holy hoplites.
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)
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.
Stephen, Bishop of Perm
Enlightener of the land of Perm, Saint Stephen brought the gospel to the pagan tribes of the region, devising an alphabet and translating the Holy Scriptures and the divine services into the native language. His zeal for the faith was such that, motivated by love and concern for the people, he entered their temple, overturned their idols, burned it down, and waited calmly by the charred rubble. When the angry masses arrived, they were prevented from attacking the missionary by an invisible force. Saint Stephen, whose preaching had met with limited success to that point, explained that, if their idols had really been gods, they would have prevented the destruction of the temple and punished him for the attempt. But showing them instead to be the work of the hands of men, he urged the pagans to renounce the demonic delusions that would lead them to suffer unending torment in an eternal fire. Having witnessed the power of God, the people embraced the faith and received Holy Baptism. Saint Stephen was eventually consecrated bishop of Perm, taking up his seat in the land which he had enlightened.
Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer
In the midst of his trials under Diocletian, St. George feigned an intention to offer sacrifice in order to end his torment. Arriving at the Temple of Apollo in Nicomedia, the Great Martyr stood in front of the idol and made the sign of the cross. Unable to bear the power of the invincible weapon as wielded by the saint, multiple demons were immediately cast out of the idol and confessed Christ as true God. The lifeless statues then fell to the ground and shattered. While not explicitly spoken about in terms of the demonic, his defeat of the dragon which has become the central theme of his iconographic representation in the Church, also proclaims his victory over the enemy of mankind since the Devil is called the dragon in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 12).
Hymnography
With the breastplate of ardent faith, with the shield of resplendent grace, with the mighty spear of the Cross girt all about, thou didst prove unto thine enemies to be all-invincible; as a God-like prince in war, thou didst vanquish the demons’ troops, and dost dance for joy with the Angels; and caring for the faithful thou dost hallow and preserve them, when they invoke thee, O Martyr George.
(Fourth Troparion; Lord, I have cried; Great Vespers)
Thou hast lived worthily of thy name, O soldier George; for taking the Cross of Christ upon thy shoulders, thou hast cultivated the earth that had become barren because of diabolic deception; and uprooting the thorny religion of the idols, thou hast planted the vine of the Orthodox Faith. Wherefore thou gushes forth healings for the faithful throughout the world, and hast proved to be the Trinity’s righteous husbandman. Intercede, we pray, for the peace of the world and the salvation of our souls.
(Doxastikon of the Martyr; Lord, I have cried; Great Vespers)
Thou hast set a crown of glory on thy head, O crown-bearer George; for, as Paul crieth out, thou, seeing the invisible enemy, didst persevere, and becamest a victor over his deception. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, to Christ, Who is risen!
(Sixth Troparion of the Entreaty; Great Vespers)
Solomon said: Let the eyes of mortals gaze straight; for, he foretold, whoso locket straight shall find mercy from Christ God. Lending a ready ear unto this, O much-enduring George, thou didst follow the teachings of the Master; and when thou wast given up to the lawless, thou didst endure manfully, abhorring the rituals of delusion, because they are profane. For the love of Him that made thee, thy body was wholly severed limb by limb, and yet more was Belial wholly put to shame and wounded, when he saw thee wearing thy crown and flourishing again. Wherefore, as thou abides in the courts of thy Lord, O prizewinner, together with the powers on high, intercede with Christ that our souls be saved.
(Doxastikon of the Martyr for the Entreaty; Great Vespers)
We hymn thy contests, O all-blessed George, whereby thou hast overthrown the worship of the idols and hast destroyed all the deceit of the demons, O all-renowned Martyr.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Second Orthros Canon)
Calm the tumult of temptations and dangers, O wonderworthy George, and as a soldier of Christ, drive every affront of the demons away from them that sing thy praises.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Second Orthros Canon)
As sweet-smelling flowers from another Paradise, let us gather hymns from the divinely-inspired Book of Psalms, and come, let us plait bright garland of songs woven for the Martyr; for he triumphed, and destroyed the power of Satan.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, First Orthros Canon)
By thine intercessions, O crown-bearer George, check the flood of adversities, sufferings, and dangers, of tumultuous calamities, of maladies that befall us, for the devices of demons, and of the violence of adversaries.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion, Second Orthros Canon)
O Blessed George, unceasingly importune the Lord for us who praise thee as a Martyr of Christ, as a vanquisher of tyrants, as an exorcist of wicked spirits, as an unsleeping guardian, as a protector never put to shame.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion, Second Orthros Canon)