Talk 59: Magic and Demonic Influence - Part 2

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia
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This talk is a continuation of Talk 58 - "Magic and Demonic Influence - Part 1". There are various views among Orthodox Christians regarding the topic of magic. Some believe that magic does not exist, while others believe that it does, and fear it to such an extent that anytime something bad happens to them they attribute it to magic. Still others believe that magic exists, but their ignorance of the subject leaves them unprotected. Few, however, understand the topic of magic according to the teachings of the Orthodox Church.

In this talk, Father Kosmas uses the writings and advice of various saints and contemporary elders to present the Orthodox Church’s teaching on how to protect oneself from magic and demonic influence. Though the talk focuses on married life, it applies to all Orthodox Christians. Ignorance of this topic has led to many disasters in people’s lives, including the loss of souls.

The following questions are also discussed: when does sorcery work and how can sorcery be defeated? What did Elder Paisios say to those who treated him like a psychic? Why would magicians advise people to participate in the Mysteries of the Church? How does Saint Nikodemos advise those who fear spells being cast during their marriage ceremony? Why are many of the clergy silent on the topic of magic? Is it true that magicians fear Orthodox priests? What are the symptoms of someone under the influence of magic?

Other points covered in this talk include: an account of a man who began to hate his wife for no reason; an elder’s advice to a man whose wife suddenly wanted to leave him; how prayers, holy oil and holy water can have power against evil spirits; an account of a suffering man who could not get rid of the amulet (charm) given to him by a magician; how not all demonic influence comes from magic; how pride and ego can be the cause of demonic influence; and the confusion between mental illness, physical illness, magic, and demonic influence.

Acknowledgement: The icon of Saints Cyprian and Justina is used with kind permission from the Holy Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina, Fili, Greece.