Elder Ephraim of St. Andrew's Skete on the Repose of St. Paisios

The wondrous body of St. Paisios the Athonite during his funeral (source)

  
"Gerontissa (Eldress) Philothei, from the Monastery of Souroti, told me that, as soon as St. Paisios reposed, his face shown, and his whole body began to pour forth fragrance and lightning!!! And he went from being very pale from his afflictions, to becoming totally white!

"A sign of his great humility and the many signs from God that he had in his life.

"St. Paisios had very many revelations, some of which he revealed to people, but he asked them to not make them known until he had died!

"His life was a martyrical one, and his battle with the devil and with the demons was not insignificant!

"To live one's whole life as a monk, this shows that he had a leonine soul, for otherwise he could not have withstood the attacks of the enemy, being totally alone."
-Elder Ephraim of St. Andrew's Skete, Mount Athos

(source)
  

Icon depicting the dormition of St. Paisios the Athonite (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Luke of Simferopol: "We must resist their evil works..."

St. Luke of Simferopol (source)

  
"The enemy of men, the devil and his angels, the demons, know very well how to whisper into our ear and to pass on to us evil under the guise of the good and to hypnotize our conscience. If that which passes into our mind corresponds to our hidden desires and our passions, then very easily they will be understood by our heart. We must resist their evil works. We can do this more easily if we manage to think of how much these things that we hear correspond with the Will of God and if we shut our ears to the devil."
(source)

"Holy people hate sin and do not accept the sin that tortures them. They are righteous and do not commit sin because they hate sin, not because they fear a God Who is a punisher."
(source)
-St. Luke Archbishop of Simferopol the Blessed Surgeon
  

St. Luke of Simferopol (source)

     

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Akathist to St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer, the Wonderworker

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Akathist to St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer, the Wonderworker
Begin with the usual introductory prayers….Heavenly Comforter….Holy God, Holy and Mighty…etc. During the Easter season, begin with Christ is Risen… (3x)
  
Kontakion 1
To you, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as our intercessor and speedy helper. Holy Great Martyr, as one who has boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto you: Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Ikos 1
The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation has revealed you to His Church as a guardian and passion-bearer for the faith. You are an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises to you for the ascetic labors of your sufferings, Saint George, in this manner: Rejoice, you who loved unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.
Rejoice, you who laid down your life with love for His Name.
Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.
Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God.
Rejoice, you who dwelled with the angels.
Rejoice, you who are the equal of the prophets.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 2
Beholding how the wicked idolaters were persecuting the Christians, You did not fear their wiles and tortures, divinely wise George. As a good soldier of Christ, you distributed all your possessions among the poor and then voluntarily ran to that ungodly gathering, singing unto Christ, your commander and God: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great-Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 2
Mentally comprehending the One God divinely worshipped in Three Persons, with a firm mind You confessed Him before the assembly of the ungodly. Thus, you exposed the unwise king’s foolish worship of creation. In admiration of your lofty love of wisdom, Saint George, accept from us these fervent praises:
Rejoice, wise preacher of the One True God.
Rejoice, faithful advocate of the All-Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, you who manifest the great mystery of the True Faith unto the unbelievers.
Rejoice, you who exposed the deception of idol worship.
Rejoice, revelation of holy wisdom.
Rejoice, image of divine inspiration.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 3
  The power of God, which enlightens every man that comes into the world, visited you also, while you were suffering in prison, O George wise in humility. You despised all the corruptible things of this life as chaff. You faithfully held unto Christ alone, so that after fighting the good fight for His Name, you might be granted eternally to chant with the angels: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 3
Possessing a mind and heart enlightened by the Holy Spirit, by His inspiration you fervently struggled for the Name of Christ, even unto blood. Standing courageously in the faith, you exposed the puffed-up pride of the ungodly congregation. Let us, then, come to you, most wonderful George, singing praises unto you:
Rejoice, shield lifted for preservation of piety.
Rejoice, sword raised for the beheading of evil.
Rejoice, confirmation of the Christian Church.
Rejoice, comfort of those gathered in prayer.
Rejoice, encouragement of the faithful.
Rejoice, fear and disgrace of the unbelievers.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 4
  The mad persecutor, breathing murder against you, O passion-bearer George, longed for your blood like a thirsty dog, ordering your body stretched out on a wheel and giving you over unto the most evil torments. Then you, taking strength in the Lord, with hope and trust in God, cried aloud: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 4
When Diocletian and the priest of the idols heard words of wisdom from you, they were enraged with hatred for you, and even more so when you said: O tormenting king, why do you torture me in vain? For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. The faithful therefore humbly cry unto you, O George of great fame, in this way:
Rejoice, you who shed your blood upon the wheel for your courageous confession of the Faith.
Rejoice, you who magnified the triumph of the Faith by your blood.
Rejoice, zealot together with the apostles.
Rejoice, imitator of the voluntary Passion of Christ.
Rejoice, unshakable champion of the Faith.
Rejoice, passion-bearer harder than adamant.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 5
  You were as a star sent by God, O Saint George, for with your miraculous healing and release from the wheel by an angel before the eyes of all, you enlightened the unbelievers to believe in the Trinity in One Essence, and to sing unto Him together with you: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 5
  The people beheld the miracles of the power of God so clearly taking place in you, and meekly accepted the teaching of Christ from you. They cried aloud, saying: Truly great is the God of the Christians. It is fitting that we also sing praises unto you, George worthy of glory, and so we cry out:
Rejoice, you who dispersed the darkness of unbelief by the radiant word of salvation.
Rejoice, you who converted unbelievers to Christ by your martyr’s confession of faith.
Rejoice, you who lead legions of earthly soldiers unto the heavenly army.
Rejoice, you who dwelled with the heavenly hosts as a soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, glory of courageous soldiers.
Rejoice, beauty of the all-radiant choirs of martyrs.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 6
  Zealous in faith, like unto those Spirit-bearing preachers, the apostles, you were crucified unto the world, O Martyr George. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, you were hurled headlong into the furnace of the lime pit so that through your life might be manifested the glory of the Lord Who is wondrous in His saints. Then, in the lime pit as in a temple of glory, you noetically cry out: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 6
  Having shone forth in His Resurrection from the tomb on the third day, Jesus, the Almighty Conqueror of hades and death, saved you from corruption, O victorious George. After three days you were found alive in the lime pit, with your hands lifted and singing unto God. The ungodly were sorely afraid and stricken with terror, but we rejoice and compose a hymn of victory unto you:
Rejoice, you who cast down the puffed-up pride of the devil by your being cast down in disgrace into the lime pit.
Rejoice, you who overcame the persecutor’s bestiality by your miraculous salvation from God.
Rejoice, for as one without guile, you prayed as for benefactors for those who worked evil against you.
Rejoice, for you were zealous for their conversion as Paul was for the Jews.
Rejoice, man of spiritual desires.
Rejoice, victor through the power of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 7
Desiring by any means to ensnare your heart for service to the idols, the wicked persecutor contrived to mislead you by magical spells. Therein you, chosen of God, cry out with David: In God is my salvation and my glory, and faithfully chant unto Him: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 7
  That evil servant of Satan, Diocletian, revealed a new villainy. In his insane zeal for the idols, he ordered you to be given poison, Saint George, but you were filled with faith and hope. Even though you drank the deadly poison, yet you remain unharmed, O praised-one of God. We marvel at your holiness and sing unto you:
Rejoice, for you were not disgraced by your hope in the living God.
Rejoice, for you counted your torment as nothing.
Rejoice, expeller of soul-destroying demons.
Rejoice, destroyer of the wiles of magicians.
Rejoice, through you God is shown to be wondrous in His saints.
Rejoice, through you the Name of Christ is piously glorified.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 8
  There came to the wicked king a strange and terrible counsel from a certain wizard: that he command you, as proof of the truth of the Christian Faith, by your word to resurrect a dead man. You, Saint George, having no doubt whatsoever, sang unto Him Who is not the God of the dead but the God of the living: Alleluia.
  

St. George with his parents (source)

  
Ikos 8
The all-desirable and Sweetest Jesus, Whom You loved with all your soul and heart, most blessed George, attended to the fervent prayer of your faith and speedily commanded the resurrection of the dead man at your word. This was to the glorification of His Name and the confirmation of the faithful, so that the unbelievers and the blind might be astounded and thereby gain knowledge of God. For this reason, we dutifully cry unto you:
Rejoice, through you the Lord of Hosts manifested wonders.
Rejoice, through you He resurrected a dead man from the tomb.
Rejoice, you who grant the mental vision of faith unto the blinded wizard.
Rejoice, you who showed the way to the Holy of Holies unto many who suffered for Christ.
Rejoice, astonishment of Rome.
Rejoice, exaltation of the Christian race.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 9
  All the angels rendered praise unto God, Who granted you such courage, victorious George, that even when locked up in prison you did not cease to keep vigil in prayer. As a great communicant of the mystery of divine grace, you were vouchsafed to behold the Lord in a vision. He crowned your head with the crown of incorruption, so that we might cry out with you: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 9
  The learned orators are unable with their rhetorical tongues to render worthy praises unto you, Martyr George, for your labors and sufferings which you assumed voluntarily for Christ and the Church. We also, not knowing how to properly praise you, chant this hymn with faith:
Rejoice, by your voluntary suffering for Christ and the Church you crucified the old Adam in yourself.
Rejoice, by your courageous suffering you receive a crown of righteousness from the Lord.
Rejoice, rule of pious zeal.
Rejoice, model of self-sacrifice.
Rejoice, for you pleased not yourself, but Christ alone.
Rejoice, for you were prepared for any form of death for the sake of your Savior, Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 10
  Desiring to save the souls perishing in idolatry, O Saint George, lover of God, you were zealous for God like Elias. Entering the temple of the idols, by the power of God you drove out the demons, shattering the idols and putting their priests to shame. Thereafter as conqueror, not with men but with angels, you chant unto God: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Trophy-bearer, surrounded by St. Polychronia his mother, and St. Alexandra whom he helped bring to Christ (source)

  
Ikos 10
  More unfeeling than a wall, your hard-hearted tormentor, O Great Martyr, did not see God, Who so clearly worked miracles through you, but to the end remained as an asp, stopping his ears. He commanded you to be executed as a criminal by beheading. Though grieving over the loss of his soul, you joyfully accepted your end, for which we praise you with love in this manner:
Rejoice, you who kept faith, hope and love unto the end.
Rejoice, you who worked many great miracles at your beheading.
Rejoice, you who were crowned to the glory of God’s goodwill toward those on earth.
Rejoice, you who were adorned with majesty in Heaven.
Rejoice, man of God.
Rejoice, good soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
 
Kontakion 11
  You render a hymn unto the Most Holy Trinity exceeding others, holy Saint George, not in word and mind only, but by the living sacrifice of your whole self. Imitating Him Who was crucified for us, Christ the Lamb without blemish, you voluntarily laid down your life for your friends. Even though we are incapable of praising such courage as yours, for no man has greater love than this, yet being grateful we sing unto Him Who is wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 11
  You are a light-receiving lamp of the True Light to those on earth, Saint George, chosen of God, for You enlighten the hearts of the faithful and guide them all to divine understanding, instructing us also to joyfully cry aloud:
Rejoice, for you dwell in the all-radiant angelic mansions.
Rejoice, for you commune with the never-waning light of the Trinity not in a mirror, but face to face.
Rejoice, provider for the needy and defender of the wronged.
Rejoice, healer of the infirm and support of kings.
Rejoice, champion of faithful soldiers in battle.
Rejoice, fervent intercessor for the salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 12
  Knowing the grace granted by God, we celebrate your memory, Great Martyr George. Running with fervent prayer to your miraculous icon, we are protected by your all-powerful help in the Lord as by an invincible wall. In praise of your aid to others, we fervently cry unto God: Alleluia.
  

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  
Ikos 12
  Singing of your glorious end, by which you were magnified as a good soldier of Christ, we pray you, O passion-bearer and helper in all good for us: Protect us as we earnestly cry to you:
Rejoice, by you the Church of the faithful is enlightened.
Rejoice, for your name is praised even among the faithless.
Rejoice, wondrous glory of the confessors.
Rejoice, lofty praise of the martyrs.
Rejoice, protector of those who honor your memory.
Rejoice, deliverer of those who confess Christ God.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.
  
Kontakion 13
Most blessed and holy Great Martyr George, accept our hymn of praise and deliver us from every evil by your fervent intercession unto God, so that we may sing with you: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. 12  
(Repeat Kontakion 13 three times.)
Repeat Kontakion 1 and Ikos 1.
  

Sts. George and Demetrios, among the first and greatest of the Great Martyrs of Christ (source)

  
A Prayer
Great Martyr George, we hasten to you for triumph over every torment and distress and over all pride and passion, that we may glorify Jesus Christ as zealous conquerors of this world and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. We acknowledge our unworthiness of such holy victory but, in praise of the courage, hope and trust which you have demonstrated throughout your life and into your martyrdom, we lovingly beseech your aid in battle against sin. Pray for us, Saint George, that we may be granted the grace to confess the Faith before others and to fulfill the Commandments under all circumstances and among all people. Let us witness of Christ the Lord that everyone might see His radiant light and believe in His holy teachings. Amen   
This prayer was adapted from https://akathistreconstructed.wordpress.com/george-great-martyr/, to which we are greatly appreciative. (source)
   

St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!
Truly the Lord is risen!

Elder Ephraim of Arizona: "Who ever hoped in God and was put to shame?"

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior (source)

 

“Why are you sorrowful and glum while walking along the way of God? Those who have forgotten God, who have no hope in the living and eternal fountain of God, should grieve. But we, who believe in the living God and whose hopes depend upon Him, ought to rejoice that we have such a Father in the heavens, Who loves us more than all fathers and mothers and Who takes infinite care to render us worthy of Him. But, you say, we fall every moment! Yes, I do not deny it—but we know that our nature is from clay and that it desires the earth and seeks what is base, for “the mind of man is inclined to evil from his youth.” (cf. Gen. 8:21 ). And we see within us a law which seeks to capture our free will, to subjugate it and render it a slave of sin. (cf. Rom. 7:23 ). In all this, however, our good intention triumphs. God has given us spiritual weapons to fight against every satanic attack: the glorious banner of the cross of hope—living hope in Him Who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (cf. Heb. 13:5 )—hope in our Christ, who was hanged on the Cross, and all who look upon Him and hope in Him will not be put to shame. The all-immaculate Blood which was poured out on the Cross pardoned the sins of mankind and poured forth life. “Blessed is the man who hopes in Him.” (cf. Ps. 33:8 ).

Take courage, my child; this grief of yours will turn into joy. This grief produces great good for you; it surrounds you as with a breastplate of iron, so that the evil darts of attachment to earthly things do not tear your mind away from the concern for heavenly things and for your immortal soul. Grief will succeed joy, and joy, grief, just as night follows day. This is how the Father of lights has established the path of those who are being saved. Just have patience and hope: engrave these in the depths of your heart—with these, all adversities will be faced. Cling to our sweet Jesus; cry out to Him in your afflictions. Entrust to Him the care of grievous things and He will do good to you, as to Hannah, the mother of the Prophet Samuel, who out of extreme grief because of her barrenness, fell down before the Lord and poured out her soul as if beside herself. And her petition did not fail. [vid. 1 Kings (1 Sam. ) 1:1-18 ]. Who ever hoped in God and was put to shame? Of course, this does not mean blameworthy hope but active hope—that is, hope along with spiritual works according to our strength; otherwise, it is not hope but mockery. Save us from such deceitful hope, O God.”

– Elder Ephraim of Arizona

(source)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us!

St. John Climacus: "There is a time for everything under heaven..."

Jesus Christ, the Pantocrator ("Ruler over all") (source)

  
“If there is a time for everything under heaven, as Ecclesiastes says, and by the word ‘everything’ must be understood what concerns our holy life, then if you please, let us look into it and let us seek to do at each time what is proper for that occasion. For it is certain that, for those who enter the lists, there is a time for dispassion and a time for passion (I say this for the combatants who are serving their apprenticeship); there is a time for tears, and a time for hardness of heart; there is a time for obedience, and there is a time to command; there is a time to fast, and a time to partake; there is a time for battle with our enemy the body, and a time when the fire is dead; a time of storm in the soul, and a time of calm in the mind; a time for heartfelt sorrow, and a time for spiritual joy; a time for teaching, and a time for listening; a time of pollutions, perhaps on account of conceit, and a time for cleansing by humility; a time for struggle, and a time for safe relaxation; a time for stillness, and a time for undistracted distraction; a time for unceasing prayer, and a time for sincere service. So let us not be deceived by proud zeal, and seek prematurely what will come in its own good time; that is, we should not seek in winter what comes in summer, or at seed time what comes at harvest; because there is a time to sow labours, and a time to reap the unspeakable gifts of grace. Otherwise, we shall not receive even in season what is proper to that season”
-St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Step 26, Section 87)
  
(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Paisios the Athonite: "Give thanks to God for everything..."

St. Paisios the Athonite (source)

  

Give thanks to God for everything. Try to be manly. Pull yourself together a bit. Do you know what Christians are suffering in other countries? There are such difficulties in Russia! But here many exhibit indifference. There’s not enough disposition to kindness, love of devotion. You see, if we don’t begin to make war against evil, to expose those who tempt believers, then the evil will grow larger. If we throw aside fear then the faithful will be emboldened a bit. And those who wage war against the Church will have a harder time. In the past our nation lived spiritually, so God blessed her, and the saints helped us in miraculous fashion. And we were victorious against our enemies, who always outnumbered us. Today we continue to call ourselves Orthodox Christians, but we don’t live Orthodox lives.

-St. Paisios the Athonite

  

(source)

  

St. Paisios the Athonite, depicted with his heavenly patrons: Sts. Arsenios of Cappadocia and Euphemia the Great Martyr (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Theophan the Recluse: "Look to Heaven..."

St. Dismas, the Good Thief crucified with Christ, who was led that day into Paradise by Christ for his repentance (source)

  

 

Look to Heaven, and measure every step of your life so that it is a step towards it.

-St. Theophan the Recluse, "The Spiritual Life"

  

(source)



   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian

St. John the Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian (source)

  
This is an excerpt from the life of St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ (see the Great Synaxaristes for the full life of the Saint in English). When he began to act like a fool after God's call, his master thought that he had become possessed, so he had him bound with chains, and placed in the holy church of St. Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Potions in Constantinople, which was known for its many miracles and healings. What is moving about this passage is the speedy help of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian, and the vivid depiction of spiritual warfare. St. John is not physically "flogging" the bodiless demons, but the demons experience this punishment when coming into contact with the great love, purity and humility of the Triune God and of His Saints. May the Lord protect and defend us all from the demons, through the prayers of His Holy Ones!
  
St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian

All of that day, bound as he was, [the Blessed Andrew] did not eat anything. That night, at midnight, as he was praying mystically to God and to the Martyr [St. Anastasia], the devil appeared to him visibly, appearing as a [dark being]. Together with him was a multitude of demons. Some were carrying pickaxes, others knives, others sticks and clubs, swords and spears, and others ropes. That dragon was the general. Because of this, many demons had come with him, in order to darken the blessed one. The [dark being], therefore, was foaming at the mouth. In this manner, the demons charged against him.

 

Then, the blessed Andrew lifted up his hands and cried out with tears to God: “Lord, do not cast to the beasts the soul that confesses You!"

 
And immediately, he added: “O St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, Beloved Theologian, help me.”
  
At that instant, from on high was heard the roaring of thunder*. And an Elder with large eyes appeared, whose face shown like the sun! Many were following him. He made the sign of the Cross in the air, and told those with him: “Lock the doors, so that none might escape!”
  
Those with him [i.e. the Angels] speedily seized all the demons. As they were all locked within the church, the demons cried to each other: “How dark is the hour that we are experiencing! John is strict and will torture us terribly.”
  
That precious Elder gave a command to his attendants to take the chain from the neck of the blessed Andrew. He took it, and stood outside the door and cried out: “Bring each of them to me.”
  
And they brought him the first one. “Lay him down,” he said.
  
Then, he folded the chain of the blessed one in three, and gave around 100 strikes to the demon, who cried out like a man: “Mercy, mercy, have mercy on me!”
  
Later they laid out and terribly flogged the second, followed by each of the demons. When the blessed Andrew heard the word “mercy”, he began to laugh. It appeared to him that the demons were bound and flogged perceptibly just like men. In reality, however, God was flogging them. And he was flogging them with such an astonishing beating, such that human nature couldn't bear it.
  
He who was flogging them cried out: “Go now to your father, to satan, and show him the predicament that you are in and see if it pleases him...”
  

When all of the [dark beings] disappeared, that precious Elder approached the servant of God, and put the chain back on his neck, telling him: “Do you see how quickly I came to help you? I greatly care about you, because God commanded me to care for your salvation. Have patience, so that you might everywhere appear to be worthy. Soon, your master will remove you from your bonds, so that you might go free where you will.”

  
“Tell me, O Lord,” the blessed Andrew asked, “who are you? I don't recognize you.”
  

“I am John,” he replied, “I reclined upon the spotless and life-giving bosom of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

  
As he said this, he disappeared like lightning from before his eyes. He remained ecstatic, and glorified God, because He helped him and delivered him from those evil demons that had surrounded him. He prayed, therefore, and said:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, great and unsurpassing is Your power, and greatly glorified is Your compassion, for strangely and wondrously did you have mercy on and take care of your humble servant. O exalted and almighty Lord, ever protect me on Your true way, and make me worthy, O greatly-merciful Master, O awesome and incomprehensible One, to find grace near You.”

  

*Note: St. John the Theologian and his brother St. James were called the "Sons of Thunder" by Christ.

  

(amateur translation of excerpt from the full life of the Saint in Greek, published by Parakletos Monastery, Oropos)

  

St. Andrew of Constantinople, the Fool-for-Christ (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!