Orthodox Parables and Stories: "Without first communing and wearing a Cross around your neck.."

 “Without first communing and wearing a Cross around your neck...

 ” Apious Christian man in Babylon (pre sent day Cairo) of Egypt, from a noble family, was designated a few years ago by the authorities1 as warden of the prison, where he treated the inmates with kindness and sympathy. We need not reveal his name, since he is still alive.

This man related the following to us, attesting to the veracity of his words with a solemn oath. 

“Certain sorcerers were once locked in the prison of which I was warden, and I frequently went to their cell to question them, as is the custom of those in my position, so as to record their statements and deliver a pertinent report to the authorities. 

“So then, one of them—the eldest of the lot— seeing that I treated everyone with understanding and compassion, took me aside and told me in the Egyptian tongue: ‘I swear to you by the God Who delivered us into your hands: never interrogate any of us four sorcerers without first communing and wearing a Cross around your neck. My companions are wicked people who want to hurt you, but if you do as I advise, neither they nor anyone else will be able to do you any harm.’ ” 

When even demons and sorcerers confess such things, it follows that those who do not believe in the Holy Body of Christ and constantly blaspheme His Cross, thereby inflicting pain on us, are even more impious than the former. 

To whom am I referring? I mean the enemies of the Cross, who are bound to perdition, in accordance with God's judgment, as expressed by the mouth of St. Paul.