In his book “Spiritual Struggle,” Vol. III, St. Paisios of Mount Athos recounts numerous episodes from his life and ministry, offering practical spiritual guidance through simple yet profound conversations with those who sought his counsel. His teachings continue to address many of the questions and struggles that people face today.
On one occasion, he was asked how someone can distinguish between a person suffering from demonic possession and someone experiencing a serious mental illness.
- Elder, how can someone tell whether a person is possessed by a demon rather than suffering from a psychological disorder?"
- Even an ordinary doctor with deep faith can recognize this. Those who are possessed by a demon react violently when they come near something holy. Their reaction itself is taken as a clear indication of demonic possession. If you give them a little holy water or make the sign of the Cross over them with a holy relic, they become distressed, because the demons within them are tormented. By contrast, if a person is suffering from a psychological or neurological illness, they do not respond in this way. Even if you simply wear a Cross and approach them, they become uneasy and agitated.
Once, during an all-night vigil in Mount Athos, the monks told me they suspected that a visitor was possessed. I sat in the neighboring stall and quietly touched him with my Cross, containing a fragment of the True Cross. He immediately sprang up and moved to the opposite side of the church. Later, when a few people remained, I approached him again in the same discreet manner. He reacted exactly as before. Therefore, I became convinced that he was indeed possessed.
Sometimes people bring young children to my hermitage, believing they are possessed. To discern whether this is truly the case, I occasionally conceal a small relic of Saint Arsenios in my closed hand. Although both of my hands remain tightly shut, a child who is possessed will fix a frightened gaze on the hand holding the relic. If, however, the child is suffering from a neurological or psychological disorder rather than demonic possession, there is no reaction at all. At other times, I offer them water into which I have briefly immersed a holy relic. Those who are possessed refuse to drink it and instinctively withdraw. On one occasion, I first gave sweets to a possessed child so that he would become very thirsty. Then I brought him the water, saying, “Giannakis, I have brought you some especially good water.” The moment he took a sip, he cried out, “This water is burning me! What have you put in it?” “Nothing,” I replied. “Why are you doing this to me? It burns!” he shouted. “It is not burning you,” I answered. “It is burning someone else.” As I made the sign of the Cross over his head, his arms and legs began to jerk violently. He entered into what I understood to be a demonic convulsion, as though the demon had been driven into a corner.
Do you remember the university student who came here years ago? He said to me, “There is a demon inside me and it torments me terribly. It forces me to utter obscene words against my will. I have reached the point of despair. I feel it pressing me from within, sometimes here, sometimes there,” and the poor young man pointed to his stomach, chest, ribs and arms. Because he was especially sensitive, I did not want to wound him further. Hoping to comfort him, I told him, “Listen, there is no demon inside you. What you are experiencing is an external demonic influence.”
When we entered the church, I asked the sisters who were present to pray for this suffering child of God. I then took a relic of Saint Arsenios from the sanctuary and approached him once more. “Where exactly does the demon torment you?” I asked. “Where do you think it is?” He pointed to his ribs. “Here?” I said, placing my closed hand, the one holding the relic, against that spot.
Immediately he let out a piercing scream. “You burned me! You burned me! I will not leave! I will not leave!” He shouted, cursed and uttered obscene words. Silently, I began praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, drive this unclean spirit away from Your creature,” while repeatedly making the sign of the Cross over him with the relic. This continued for about twenty minutes. Finally, the demon convulsed him violently and threw him to the ground. He rolled over several times, so that his suit became covered in dust.
We helped him back to his feet. His whole body was trembling with intense spasms. He grasped the iconostasis for support, while his hands were covered with cold sweat, like the morning dew on the grass. After a short while, the demon departed, and he became completely calm. He recovered and, from then on, lived in peace.
