Once a demonized youth went to the skete of some Fathers in order to be cured by their prayers.
Out of humility, however, they fled. For much time, the unfortunate man suffered thus,
until a certain elder took pity on him, crossed him with a wooden cross he had on his belt, and cast out the evil spirit.
"Since you evict me from my abode," the spirit said, "I will enter you."
"Come," the elder courageously answered him.
So it is that the demon entered into him and tortured him for a full twelve years.
The holy one endured the struggle with fortitude, but fought against his enemy with superhuman fasting and unceasing prayer.
All of those years he never even once put food in his mouth, chewing rather a few date pits every evening
and swallowing only the juice from them.
Finally, conquered by the incessant struggle of the elder, the demon freed him.
"Why are you leaving?" the elder asked him. "No one is casting you out."
"Your fasting destroyed me," answered the demon, becoming invisible.
