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)
Archpriest Jonah of Odessa
A married priest noted for his piety from childhood, Saint Jonah struggled for years as a missionary fighting against the proselytization of a particularly aggressive Protestant group. Having helped many to see the errors of their teachings and return to the faith of their fathers, the saint was assigned to be the parish priest of the Church of the Dormition in Odessa. He was the image of an attentive and loving father, and he had a particular love for orphans as he himself has also suffered the same misfortune. Saint Jonah was eventually elevated to the dignity of archpriest for his faithful service. He was always to be found in the Divine Services, he kept all the prescribed fasts strictly, and he emphasized the importance of participation in the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. In his later years, he stood against the pressure of communist-backed Church reformers and stood in solidarity with Saint Tikhon, the Metropolitan of Moscow. For all of this, God healed many of those who had been possessed by demons through his holy prayers.
Euphrosynos (Eleazar) of Pskov
An ascetic from childhood, Saint Euphrosynius put away childish things for spiritual reading, especially that of the Holy Scriptures, and frequent attendance at the Divine Services. Fleeing the world, he became a monastic at a monastery near Pskov and shined forth with the evangelic virtues. When this caused his fame to spread, he retreated once again, with the blessing of his Abbot, into holy hesychia living the life of a hermit. There in the wilderness he put the invisible enemy of mankind to flight through intense fasting, vigils, and prayer. As others began to join him in his ascetic efforts, he established a monastery building a church in honor of the Three Holy Hierarchs. At the end of his life, he one again withdrew into seclusion. Sometime after his death, the monastery was renamed in honor of Saint Euphrosynius.
Pachomius the Great
Saint Pachomius the Great, the founder of the coenobitic life and a bright star in the Orthodox firmament, laid the foundation of his God-pleasing life by embracing asceticism out of an all-consuming love for the Lord. Under the direction of a particularly severe spiritual father, his manner of life consisted of long hours of prayer, alone and especially during the night, and with intense fasting, all for the purpose of keeping the remembrance of God first and foremost in his mind and heart. During his night vigil he was often attacked by the demons, but he was able to put them to flight by rebuking them and lifting up praise to God. When their attacks became more severe, he resolved not to sleep until God had routed the invisible enemy, offering his suffering the the Lord as a sweet smelling sacrifice. Seeing such a firm foundation built upon the rock of Christ, the Lord sent an angel with a rule for living the monastic life in a community as well as people who would be governed by that rule. The rule was marked by a heavenly adaptability which made it appropriate for the novice as well as the most advanced while also allowing both to live the common life together. As the leader of the community, the man of God was given the gift of insight which allowed him to be a true physician of the soul, the healing of which he regarded as far superior to the healing of the body. In response to his prayer, the Lord healed the sick and delivered those who had been possessed by demons. In all of this, Saint Pachomius cultivated humility by submitting everything to the will of God, refusing to resort to coercion of God or man. If the Lord heard his prayer and acted, then thanks be to God; if not, he never let his countenance fall or his heart be troubled. In either circumstance he saw only one true remedy, the Name of Christ and the cultivation of life in His presence. This closeness to the Lord allowed him faithfully uncover illnesses of soul and body and their sources — whether the demons or the passions — and to apply the correct course of treatment.
Hymnography
When thou hadst been raised above all things of sense and perception, thou most purely didst converse with the Master, having passed far beyond the flesh; for with they valiant mind, thou didst conquer passions and cats down and trample underfoot demons’ audacity, O all-honored Father Pachomius. And now as thou dost dwell on high in the tabernacles of Heaven’s courts, keep all in remembrance who honor thy memorial with joy, as thou, O blest one, dost boldly stand in the holy presence of Christ.
(Third Troparion of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)
We, the multitudes of monastics, honor thee, our teacher, O Pachomius, our Father; for through thee have we learned to walk the path that is truly straight. Blessed are thou, who hast labored for Christ, and hast triumphed over the might of the enemy, O companion of the angels, and co-dweller of the righteous and the just. Together with them, do thou intercede with the Lord that He have mercy on our souls.
(Doxastikon of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)
Not enduring to behold the earnestness of thine asceticism, O righteous and God-bearing Father, the hordes of the adversaries devised diverse temptations for thee.
(Ode Three, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst trample upon the devices of the spirits of destruction, O Father, since thou wast clad in the power of thy Master and fenced about with the precious cross.
(Ode Six, First 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.
Philip of Argyrion in Siciliy
Sent by the Pope of Rome to the region of Argyrion in Siciliy as an evangelist in the Fourth Century, Philip began his work there by freeing the residents from the influence of demons who had infested the area. The saint climbed to the summit of a mountain from which he could see the whole community and called upon the Name of the Lord as well as the intercession of Saint Peter. The demons fled from the Holy Name en masse crying out in fear. Having taken the upper hand in the spiritual battle, Saint Philip freed more than 400 individuals, laying hands on them and casting out the demons that had tormented them. By doing so, he laid a firm foundation for the Church in the region and became known as a persecutor of the enemy.
Theodore of Cythera
Though he was married and had two children, Saint Theodore kept death foremost in his mind so much so that he eventually left his home and family seeking seclusion. His goal was the abandoned island of Cythera. However, before he could put this plan into action, he was discovered and his wife asked the Bishop to convince him to come home. When the saint found out, he saw this as a ruse from the Devil, knowing that the best thing he could do for his family was to continue his ascetic life and to pray for them. Thus, he was able to resist the wiles of the evil one. Theodore redoubled his ascetic efforts and eventually attaining to such holiness that he was able to predict the day of his death. His body was later found to be incorrupt.
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)
Martyr Nicolas the New of Vouneni
A commander in the army of Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise, Saint Nicolas was sent to guard the town of Larissa. Under threat of invasion by Arab military attachments who were ravaging the outskirts of the empire, he ordered the evacuation of the city and retreated into the mountains to a skete of ascetics with 14 faithful companions. After devoting themselves to prayer and fasting, they were warned by an angel to prepare to offer their lives to the Lord as His martyrs. They were eventually overrun, captured and tortured by their enemies, and all but Saint Nicolas were martyred. Having survived this initial ordeal, he found and dwelt in a cave wherein he lived the hesychast life to prepare to join his friends in martyrdom. As a result of his ascetic efforts he overcame the passions and the assaults of the demons who attempted to put him off his purpose. Having won the spiritual victory, he eventually carried off the crown martyrdom at the hands of the same barbarians had been searching for him since his escape.
Great Martyr Christopher
As a part of his suffering and martyrdom at the hands of the Emperor Decius, Saint Christopher was placed into a bronze brazier over a fire. From within the furnace, the great martyr was granted a vision of one like a son of man, shining like the sun, accompanied by a great host with faces all aflame. He saw this irresistible force assailing and demolishing a massive horde of demons that could not stand before them. The saint interpreted this as a spiritual and cosmic fulfillment of the truth revealed to Gehazi by Elisha when they were surrounded by the Syrian army that “those who are with us are greater than those who are with them” (4 Kingdoms 6:16). Therefore, he knew, and through him we know, that despite our circumstances, the Lord is always ultimately victorious over the works of the evil one.
Hymnography
Come, let us honor the contests of godly Christopher; from his triumphant struggles never-failing grace floweth forth to us from Christ, the Bestower of Life. For he mightily quelled the foes; and as the prize, he was given authority over passions, demons, and all pain.
(First Troparia of the Martyr; Lord, I have cried)
Casting off the deep darkness of ignorance and receiving the knowledge of piety, thou troddest the serpent down, that first author of wickedness. Since, O Martyr, thy mind was aflame with desire for God, though didst quench the ungodly conceit of idolatry. Wherefore, as is fitting, in return for thy conflicts, thou now hast received a crown, and thou grantest unfailing cures, O much-suffering Christopher. Intercede with Christ our God that forgiveness of all their transgressions be granted to them that with longing keep thy holy memory.
(Doxasticon of the Martyr; Sessional hymns of Orthros)