The twentieth century, which began with the presumption of imagining itself the most enlightened of all ages, has in reality proceeded through some of the blackest years of all human history. Symptomatic of this truly dark age is the revival in recent decades of interest and active participation in witchcraft and sorcery.
Much of this interest is on the level of dilettantism and crude amateurism, but more and more often it produces real results, leads to an actual contact with demonic powers, and causes the eternal damnation of souls caught in the web of nets far more subtle and deadly than the beginning occultist imagines.
All this is not new to Orthodox Christians. In the history of the world’s religions there is a whole tradition of sorcery—the service of the pagan gods, which are demons[1]. This is the religious tradition which Christianity replaced in all lands that accepted the Gospel, and which now comes back in power to destroy Christianity and to conduct mankind to Antichrist.
The Life of Sts. Cyprian and Justina gives one of the fullest accounts in Christian literature of sorcery and its power over men—and its final defeat by the power of Christ. It is not the product of someone’s imagination, but is based on the first-hand testimony of one who was a leading servant of the demons himself.
Let Orthodox Christians read and become sober, and resolve with the more firmness and determination to work out their salvation against the powers of darkness in fear and trembling. And let him who has in his heart even a spark of repentance take courage and hope, for this Life is also the surest proof that God’s mercy’ is stretched out even to the most lost of souls. If the sorcerer Cyprian could be saved and become a mighty intercessor for the demon—possessed, then there is hope for those also who even now have fallen into the darkest and most unnatural sins of our dark age.
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96 1–6
by Saint Seraphim of Platina [†1982]
The Orthodox Word, 1976, Vol. 12, No. 5 (70), September-October, p. 135
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