chanting by the monks of Valaam Monastery in Russia
Monday, September 28, 2015
The demon confesses to a monk
A certain hermit once had a conversation with the devil. During the course of the conversation the devil revealed certain truths which are very beneficial for all Christian’s to keep in mind.
They will hopefully assist us to better comprehend how precious the Mystery of Holy Communion is, especially when partaken of with a clean and pure heart.
The devil once appeared to a certain hermit. The hermit mustered up the courage and asked the devil:
‘What things are you most scared of?’
The devil answered:
‘There are some things that are dreadful and unbearable to us.’
‘Which are they?’ The Elder asked once again.
‘The first and foremost dreadful thing is Baptism, with which we lose dominion and right over you. Then there is the wood, (he means the Holy Cross and the sign of the cross) whose mark torments us, pushes us away and makes us disappear…’
‘However, the most dreadful of all is that which you eat, your Communion….
It is more dreadful than the fire of hell...more dreadful than the hell we live in. ‘Those’, the devil continued ‘who are clean and worthily partake of Holy Communion, not only can we not approach them but we also fear to even look upon.’
And he immediately added:
‘Even though these things persecute and destroy us, we are nonetheless grateful towards people, especially those Christians who are careless; whose own passions wilfully pull themselves away from God’s power, energy and Divine Grace of the Mysteries. Subsequently, these Christians, of their own accord, provide us with the right to captivate their hearts and prevent them from ever repenting.’
Experiences During the Divine Liturgy
A prayer Elder Joseph the Hesychast would recite before beginning to pray
Lord Jesus Christ, sweetest Father, God and
Lord of mercy, and Creator of the entire universe:
Look upon my humility and forgive all my sins
which I have committed all the years of my life up
to this very day and hour. Send forth Thine All-
Holy Spirit, the Comforter, so that He may teach,
illuminate, and safeguard me so that I no longer
sin, so that with a pure soul and heart I may adore,
worship, glorify, thank, and love Thee with all my
soul and heart, my sweetest Savior, Benefactor, and God, Who is worthy of all love and worship. Yes, good eternal Father, co-eternal Son, and All-Holy Spirit, count me worthy of enlightenment and divine spiritual knowledge, so that by beholding Thy sweet grace I may bear the burden of this vigil tonight, and render unto Thee my prayers and thanksgiving, through the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Saints. Amen.