Friday, October 9 : Saint Nerses Chnorhali

At the sacred fountain of purity Where You created me anew, The demons of evil departed from me— Those that had entered through the serpent. As for them, wandering through arid places, Seeking souls free from vice, They found no resting place there, For they felt no ease within them. But because the source of the sickness of sin Wells up endlessly within me, And my very soul is arranged As a house and dwelling for him, Having taken seven companions— The most wicked for their depraved ways— The first demon gathered them to himself And returned with them to the house of my soul. My final state became worse Than the first in wickedness; For one can no longer be cleansed at the spring Save through asceticism and mortification. But he, being exceedingly cunning, Having occupied the fortress, Dominated it once again, Following his old tactic. Do You cast him out once more Into the desert of the abyss— Not according to the Law, But according to Your abundant grace. And in place of the seven evil spirits That You shall cast out as Adversaries, Deign to make the Spirit dwell within me— The Spirit of the seven gifts of Your grace.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team