Chapter 17

Concerning the Power of the Precious Cross

Concerning the power of the precious Cross, Gregory the Theologian says about Julian that he “descended into one of the inner sanctuaries, inaccessible and fearful to the many, and there accompanied him one deemed worthy of many inner sanctuaries, one who shared in such things—that is, the initiate in the magician’s art. For this too is a form of divination for them, to consort in some darkness and with subterranean demons concerning things to come—whether because they rejoice more in darkness [since they are also darkness, and creators of the darkness of vice], or because they flee the company of the godly on earth and are weaker because of them. But as the noble Julian advanced, terrors assailed him—ever more numerous and more fearful, they say: strange sounds and the smells of the sacrifices and fiery apparitions, and I know not what other disturbances and nonsense. Struck by the unexpected (for he was a late learner in such things), he fled to the cross and the ancient remedy, and with this he signed himself against the terrors, and made the persecuted Christ his helper—and what follows is even more dreadful. The seal has prevailed, the demons are defeated, fears are loosed. What then? the evil revives, grows bold again, once more an assault [of the demons] and the same terrors, and the seal again, and the demons fall quiet, and the initiate is perplexed, and the initiator nearby expounding the truth; we were disgusted,” he says, “we were not afraid. The worse is conquered. For he says these things, and having spoken he persuades, and having persuaded he leads the disciple to the pit of destruction…” [Gregory the Theologian, First Invective Against Julian the Emperor].

The historian Theodoret of Cyrus says in his Ecclesiastical History, book III, chapter 1: “Julian, as he ought not to have done, desired the imperial sceptres. For this reason he travelled throughout Greece seeking diviners and oracle-mongers, longing to learn whether he would obtain what he desired. He encountered a man who promised to foretell these things, and this man led him into one of the idolatrous shrines, brought him inside the inner sanctum, and summoned the deceitful demons. When they appeared with their customary phantasm, fear compelled Julian to place the sign of the Cross on his forehead. But when the demons saw the figure of the Lord’s trophy and were reminded of their own defeat, they immediately vanished. That sorcerer, understanding the cause of their flight, reproached Julian. Julian both revealed his fear and declared that he marveled at the power of the Cross; for the demons fled, unable to bear the sight of this figure. ‘Do not suppose this, good sir,’ the sorcerer said; ‘for they did not flee, but rather, loathing what came from you, they departed because of what you did’; thus deceiving the wretched man, he initiated him and filled him with hatred; and the desire for the kingdom stripped the thrice-wretched man of piety.”

The power of the precious Cross is likewise attested by the most ancient holy Fathers of the Church. Thus the divine and holy Chrysostom says: “The Cross is the trophy over the demons, the sword against sin; the sword with which Christ pierced the serpent. The Cross is the will of the Father, the glory of the Only-begotten, the joy of the Spirit; the adornment of the angels, the security of the Church, the boast of Paul, the wall of the saints, the light of the whole world” [Chrysostom, Homily 81, vol. 5; cf. also Suidas λδ΄, vol. 5, 818, 211, Eton edition 1612]. “The Cross is the sum of our salvation; the Cross is the foundation of countless blessings. Through this we who were formerly dishonored and cast out have now been received into the rank of sons; through this we are no longer led astray, but have come to know the truth; through this we who formerly venerated wood and stones have now come to know the Creator of all things; through this we who were servants of sin have been brought up into the freedom of righteousness; Through this the earth has now become heaven. This freed us from error, this led us by the hand to the truth, this brought about the reconciliation of God with humanity, this drew us up from the abyss of vice and raised us to the very summit of virtue, this extinguished the error of demons, this overthrew deceit.” [Chrysostom, Homily 83, vol. 5, p. 671].

Saint Athanasius, recounting the life of the great Antony, says the following concerning the power of the precious Cross: “Indeed, after these things, when certain people came again (these were among those considered wise by the pagans) and demanded from him an account of our faith in Christ, and when they attempted to reason about the proclamation of the divine Cross and wished to mock it— Antony waited a little and first pitied them for their ignorance, and spoke through an interpreter who translated his words well. … Behold, there are present here those who are suffering under demons. Now some people who were troubled by demons came to him, and bringing them into the midst, he said: Either you cleanse them by your reasonings and whatever art you wish, or by magic, calling upon your idols, or, if you cannot, lay down your battle against us and you will see the power of the Cross of Christ. And having said these things, he called upon Christ, and sealed those who were suffering with the sign of the Cross a second and third time; and immediately the people stood whole and in their right mind, and they gave thanks to the Lord.

“And the so-called philosophers marveled, and were truly astonished at the man’s understanding and at the sign that had taken place. But Antony said: Why do you marvel at these things? We are not the ones doing these things, but it is Christ who does such things through those who believe in Him.” [Vol. II, p. 496, Paris edition].