Yes. Demons are real.
They’re not metaphors for psychological problems or symbols for abstract evil. Orthodox Christians believe demons are actual spiritual beings, fallen angels who rebelled against God under Satan’s leadership. We take them seriously. But we don’t obsess over them the way you might’ve seen in some charismatic circles where every problem gets blamed on a demon that needs casting out.
The Orthodox approach sits in a different place entirely. We acknowledge that demons exist and that they tempt us, but we see them primarily as part of the larger struggle with sin and the passions. They’re real, but they’re not under every rock.
What Demons Actually Do
Demons work by exploiting our weaknesses. The Church Fathers teach that demons aggravate our passions, those disordered desires and habits that pull us away from God. Anger, lust, pride, envy, gluttony. Demons don’t create these passions from scratch. They amplify what’s already there, whispering suggestions and stirring up what we’ve left unhealed in our souls.
St. Mark the Monk, a fifth-century Father, taught that demonic temptation operates through the passions rather than through dramatic possessions or manifestations. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, in his lectures on this topic, emphasizes that the Fathers treated demons with seriousness but always within the context of ascetic therapy. The goal isn’t to become a demon hunter. It’s to heal your soul.
Think of it this way: if you’re struggling with anger that flares up every time someone cuts you off on I-10 heading into Beaumont, the problem isn’t primarily that a demon of anger is attacking you. The problem is that you’ve got unhealed anger in your heart that needs confession, prayer, and the grace of the sacraments. Demons might poke at that wound, but the wound itself is what needs healing.
How We Fight
Orthodox spiritual warfare looks different from what you might expect if you grew up Baptist or Pentecostal. We don’t have deliverance ministries or spiritual warfare conferences. We have the sacraments, the Jesus Prayer, fasting, and a confessor.
Every Orthodox Christian receives exorcism prayers at baptism. Three times the catechumen renounces Satan, spits in rejection of him, and turns toward Christ. Those prayers are in the service. We all go through them. The Church treats this as the primary exorcism, the moment when we’re transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.
After that, our daily life becomes the ongoing battle. We fight demons the same way we fight sin: through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, regular confession, and receiving Holy Communion. The Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”, is a powerful weapon. Continual prayer guards the mind and weakens the passions. When your heart is filled with prayer, there’s less room for demonic suggestion.
The sacraments aren’t just symbolic acts. They’re real means of grace that heal and protect us. Confession cleanses the soul. The Eucharist unites us to Christ’s Body and Blood. These are our primary defenses, not dramatic exorcism rites.
When Things Get Serious
Can demons possess people? Yes, though it’s rare. The Church has prayers for deliverance in cases of genuine demonic oppression or possession, found in the Great Book of Needs. Only a priest can perform these prayers, and a good priest will first rule out medical and psychological causes. We’re not quick to label everything as demonic.
The Church also uses exorcism prayers in the Great Blessing of Water and in certain other services. But these aren’t theatrical events. They’re sober prayers asking God to drive away evil and sanctify what He’s created.
Most Orthodox Christians will never need a formal exorcism beyond what they received at baptism. What we all need is consistent spiritual direction, a regular prayer rule, and participation in the life of the Church. If you’re concerned about unusual spiritual experiences or oppression, talk to your priest. Don’t try to figure it out on your own or turn to sensational books and videos.
The Balance We Keep
Here’s where Orthodoxy differs from both the skeptics who dismiss demons entirely and the enthusiasts who see them everywhere. We believe demons are real and active, but we refuse to give them more attention than they deserve. Christ has already won the victory. Demons are defeated enemies, still dangerous but ultimately powerless against those who remain in Christ.
Fr. Thomas Hopko used to teach that the Christian life is about healing the passions and growing in communion with God. Demons are part of that picture, but they’re not the main story. The main story is your transformation into the likeness of Christ, what we call theosis. Demons oppose that work, but they can’t stop it if you’re rooted in prayer and the sacraments.
Don’t go looking for demons. Don’t read sensational accounts of possession or delve into occult material out of curiosity. That’s spiritually dangerous and pastorally foolish. Instead, focus on what builds you up: Scripture, the Fathers, the Divine Liturgy, your prayer rule, and regular confession.
If you’re coming from a background where demons were either ignored completely or talked about constantly, the Orthodox approach might feel strange at first. We’re matter-of-fact about it. Yes, they exist. Yes, they tempt us. No, we’re not afraid of them. We have Christ, the sacraments, and the prayers of the Church. That’s more than enough.
