Orthodox Parables and Stories: "The Power of the Cross"

One summer night, a certain bulldozer-driver, returning home exhausted from his work, lay down to rest. While asleep, he felt a heavy weight pressing down on him and woke up, but was unable to react.
He saw a black figure — something like a dog — that was proceeding very slowly towards his head and smothering him. He was at the point of giving up the spirit....
When, however, the black creature reached his chest, he heard a voice: “If you did not have this (the Cross) on your chest, you would see what would become of you…” and the creature immediately disappeared.
He gave thanks to God, crossed himself, and understood how great is the power of the Cross, which until that time he had worn merely out of habit.
Ascetics in the World, Vol. I, Mt. Athos