An old man confesses with repentance after being shamed by unclean spirits

Elder Theodore lived in a village in the Xiromeros region. He was 52 years old, but he had never confessed. However, he went to church and had good intentions. Once, while he was on some business in a market called Astako, he went to the Church of Saint Nicholas, found the serving priest, Father Hierotes, who was also his confessor, and confessed. However, he made a formal confession because he did not tell them about his greatest sins. The priest, in order to help him repent, sent him to the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos on the island of Kefalonia, which is celebrated on August 16.

Thus, Elder Theodore went with other worshipers to the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos. On the afternoon of August 15, the relic of Saint Gerasimos is moved to the large church for the celebration of the patron saint’s service. During the move, the relic of the Saint passes over the sick, who are mainly demonized, and is accompanied by the local bishop, surrounded by the multitude of priests from Kefalonia. Therefore, the elder Theodore was also nearby, like Zacchaeus, following the order of moving the venerable relic of the Saint.

Then a demonized man jumped up and began to shout:

Theodore, what are you doing here? Theodore has also come to Kapsali! (That is what the devil called Saint Gerasimos).

Then he shouted to another demonized man:

Thomas, do you hear? Theodore has also come to Kapsali! Give him some expenses…

Then the demonized men began to shout against him, reminding him of the sins he had not confessed and which were mortal. Theodore felt very ashamed.

Hearing all this, the elder Theodore ran to the venerable relic and said to the ever-mentioned hierarch, the Most Holy Hierotheus:

I feel like I am going crazy. I want a confessor to confess to me right now!

Then the hierarch stopped the procession, received the elder Theodore with love, and called a confessor to confess him separately in the small church, while the procession continued its course. After that, the demoniacs could no longer say anything to him, because his sins had been erased by the good confession.

Elder Theodore told them this, who, from that time on, completely changed his life, living in constant repentance and fulfilling the commandments of Christ with the fear of God. He reached the age of 95 and fell asleep in peace and repentance on April 23, 2000.

May his memory be eternal! Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Holy Sacrament of Confession and Communion with the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ

Image
Although I am not a theologian, I chose to make a small post about the Holy Sacrament of Confession and the Communion with the body and blood of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in order to bring once again to mind their immense importance for our physical, but especially spiritual life. Before sacrificing Himself on the cross, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, instituted, at the Last Supper, the Eucharist, or the Communion with His body and blood: Matthew 26: 26-28 During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body.” Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and drink it. This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. Also, after His resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive and retain peo...
Read more

Prayer - the key to another world

Image
Since I discovered prayer, I can say that I have found myself again, but not in any way, but much stronger. Prayer is the key to God's world, a world full of love, freedom, patience, mercy, forgiveness, hope, faith, and other wonderful qualities. A world in which I certainly want to live, as well as all those close to me (including those who are asleep), and not only (but since I am not the one who decides on behalf of others, all I can do is pray for them). This world of prayer is not an imaginary one, but one as concrete as possible. A world in which God, the Mother of God, and the saints listen to our prayers and, if they are useful to us, at the right time, they are also fulfilled. Prayers to the Mother of God and to the saints are intercessory prayers, in which we ask them to intercede for us before the Lord Jesus Christ, so that He, in His omniscience, may decide whether or not to fulfill the prayers addressed to Him by us. Prayer is the food of the soul. Also, with the help ...
Read more

Perseverance in the face of illness and in life

Image
Having experienced illness (in my case depression ) I can say that perseverance played an important role in getting me back to a somewhat normal level of living. Of course, in the face of illness we are all helpless. But also, God does not give us more than we can handle, and with His help, we can overcome everything. All we have to do is move forward, with our head first, having the hope that God is holding our hand and that He will break down any door that seems unopenable. By these doors, I mean the different stages of an illness, whatever it may be, or of some experiences or feelings in our lives. In my case, there were several doors that I felt I could no longer open, but I persevered, prayed, and tried endlessly, until the doors collapsed before me. Especially in the case of depression, the symptoms can be so strong that the sufferer can even commit suicide. That is why I maintain so loudly and strongly that we must cling with our whole being to God, Who is love and kindness, mer...
Read more