Question for my Orthodox bros/sisters

[Nicea325]

I have been wanting to ask our Orthodox brothers and sisters a question about exorcisms? Does your rich traditions also have priests who have the duty or ministry of carrying out exorcisms? As many know the RCC and each diocese usually has one or two exorcism priests to peform an exorcism,if deemed neccessary. How does it function within your communities and are they still performed? As you know, many Christians, Catholic,Orthodox and mainline Protestants no longer believe in them.

God Bless

 

[Wesley7]

I believe in exorcism, and its performed by the orthodox priest with certain prayers.

 

[GaryTaylor]

How wide spread do the Orthodox feel this issue is?

 

[Madaglan]

I have been wanting to ask our Orthodox brothers and sisters a question about exorcisms? Does your rich traditions also have priests who have the duty or ministry of carrying out exorcisms? As many know the RCC and each diocese usually has one or two exorcism priests to peform an exorcism,if deemed neccessary. How does it function within your communities and are they still performed? As you know, many Christians, Catholic,Orthodox and mainline Protestants no longer believe in them.

God Bless

There is exorcism in the Orthodox Church. As to how extensive it is, I think the numbers are less recorded than in the Roman Catholic Church. To my understanding, there is no established exorcist per Orthodox diocese. If a case of possession arises, it likely would be the local priest or, in certain cases, a monastic elder to whom the family members bring the possessed, who casts out the demon.

I just spoke with my priest last night over dinner with friends about exorcisms and asked if he has to get the bishop’s approval to conduct an exorcism (as in the Latin Church). As I recall, he did not give a simple yes or no answer, but explained how the popular images of possession (head spinning, vomiting, etc.) are much less common than being in the Devil’s hold through the passions. After a further inquiry, he went on to talk about his father-in-law (also a priest) who lived in Alaska and who performed an exorcism on a young teenage girl brought to him from the a native village. The girl cursed and had abnormal strength and tossed the men trying to hold her.

A few videos of exorcisms in the Orthodox tradition:
youtu.be/k6CM0dYRsm4
youtu.be/lTn0yy3ckZk

 

[Cavaradossi]

This should answer some of your questions: goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7079

I would say that in general, cases of true demonic possession (that is, a demon taking control of one’s motor functions) are regarded as being rarities, and they typically require a priest to resolve. Demons are believed on a more fundamental level to affect our judgment through temptation, but for such afflictions (which are shared by all humans), what is needed is prayer, participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and the will to resist temptation on the part of the afflicted.

Another good reading about the Eastern Orthodox view of demons and evil spirits (this one is more in depth) may also be found here: orthodoxphotos.com/readings/threshold/

 

[Harpazo]

I have been wanting to ask our Orthodox brothers and sisters a question about exorcisms? Does your rich traditions also have priests who have the duty or ministry of carrying out exorcisms? As many know the RCC and each diocese usually has one or two exorcism priests to peform an exorcism,if deemed neccessary. How does it function within your communities and are they still performed? As you know, many Christians, Catholic,Orthodox and mainline Protestants no longer believe in them.

God Bless

I do know that priests exorcise catechumens (both before their entry into the catechumenate and before their reception into the Church). Furthermore, if an icon or other holy object begins streaming myrrh, a priest will exorcise it first before venerating it. This is to make sure there is no demonic delusion.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Cavaradossi]

I do know that priests exorcise catechumens (both before their entry into the catechumenate and before their reception into the Church). Furthermore, if an icon or other holy object begins streaming myrrh, a priest will exorcise it first before venerating it. This is to make sure there is no demonic delusion.

In Christ,
Andrew

In addition to this, when people see visions of Christ or the Holy Virgin Mary, they are instructed to be cautious and to consult a spiritual father over the matter, due to the fact that such visions may be demonically inspired.

 

[dzheremi]

There is a fascinating passage in Fr. Mark Gruber’s “Journey Back to Eden” about his time spent in the Coptic Orthodox monasteries of Egypt where he writes about Muslims who would come to the monasteries for exorcisms. Apparently Muslims are actually (quietly) encouraged in many cases to avail themselves of the services of the monks in performing exorcisms, as their own religion does not deal with such “lesser” spiritual beings directly, as the Christian priest-monks regularly do. The monks are also regularly summoned by Muslims for house cleansings/blessings, as after the death of a relative in the home.

 

[GaryTaylor]

In addition to this, when people see visions of Christ or the Holy Virgin Mary, they are instructed to be cautious and to consult a spiritual father over the matter, due to the fact that such visions may be demonically inspired.

Oh for sure, nonetheless by the same token any mystical experience that leads one into a deeper relationship with Christ the BVM, Church etc simply cannot be demonic.

Actually many of the Saints struggled with this very thought from the onset though.

So what actual prayers are used in the exorcism process of the EO. Is it documented? Is there a link? Is St Michael used for intercession or the BVM?

Peace, Gary

 

[GaryTaylor]

There is a fascinating passage in Fr. Mark Gruber’s “Journey Back to Eden” about his time spent in the Coptic Orthodox monasteries of Egypt where he writes about Muslims who would come to the monasteries for exorcisms. Apparently Muslims are actually (quietly) encouraged in many cases to avail themselves of the services of the monks in performing exorcisms, as their own religion does not deal with such “lesser” spiritual beings directly, as the Christian priest-monks regularly do. The monks are also regularly summoned by Muslims for house cleansings/blessings, as after the death of a relative in the home.

This is actually where I first heard of the exorcisms in the EO which were done with muslims by the Coptics.

Peace, Gary

 

[Cavaradossi]

Oh for sure, nonetheless by the same token any mystical experience that leads one into a deeper relationship with Christ the BVM, Church etc simply cannot be demonic.

Actually many of the Saints struggled with this very thought from the onset though.

So what actual prayers are used in the exorcism process of the EO. Is it documented? Is there a link? Is St Michael used for intercession or the BVM?

Peace, Gary

As for particular prayers or process, I cannot be too sure, as I have never witnessed an exorcism (as I would assume that most Roman Catholics have not either), nor have I ever seen any conclusive list of prayers used by priests during exorcisms (these things are rare, after all). All that I know is that most anecdotes of priests and monks preparing for exorcisms have them spending a week or two fasting and in prayer in order to prepare for battling the demon.

 

[Bluegoat]

Oh for sure, nonetheless by the same token any mystical experience that leads one into a deeper relationship with Christ the BVM, Church etc simply cannot be demonic.

Actually many of the Saints struggled with this very thought from the onset though.

So what actual prayers are used in the exorcism process of the EO. Is it documented? Is there a link? Is St Michael used for intercession or the BVM?

Peace, Gary

This seems to be the common line. But, I’m not actually sure it is true. In war one might sacrifice am asset to win a war, and why not in the spiritual war as well?

But more than that, are we really so sure that we can always tell when a person is growing closer to God, or when we ourselves are? Surely we have all heard of cases where people were deluded in this? And I have no reason to think Satan is unable to be very subtle in such a case.

 

[Mickey]

But more than that, are we really so sure that we can always tell when a person is growing closer to God, or when we ourselves are? Surely we have all heard of cases where people were deluded in this? And I have no reason to think Satan is unable to be very subtle in such a case.

Correct. It is called prelest.

 

[Nicea325]

Thanks for all your replies. Thanks for the references as well. I just wanted to know how exorcisms were carried out in your respective communities.