Orthodox Parables and Stories: "Miracles and revelations from the Divine Liturgy: Victory against the demons"

The desert is not just a refuge for peaceful monks. It is also a place of exile for the demons, who set the most terrible traps for the fighters of Christ.

The site Melana on Mt. Athos was the place where Saint Athanasius (10th century) practiced. The devil fought methodically to drive him out of there, but he did not succeed. Thus the saint was preparing for the construction of the monastic complex of the Great Lavra.

But when construction began, what the builders were building during the day, the demons were tearing down at night.

Then Our Lady appears to Saint Athanasius and says to him:

"In order for the work to proceed, you have to build a nave in one day, and there a divine service must be performed on the same day."

Indeed, in one day a church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian was built and operated. And it was so small that the priest could barely fit in the sanctuary and only four or five people in the rest of the space.

So, with the grace of the divine service, the demons left and the construction of the Lavra proceeded.

Miracles and revelations from the Divine Liturgy
Publications I.M. Parakletou Oropos Attica pp. 25-26