Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not (St. Silouan the Athonite) No. 1 | Orthodox Christian Art Poster

It was fifteen years after the Lord had appeared to him, and Silouan was engaged in one of these nocturnal struggles with devils which so tormented him. No matter how he tried, he could not pray with a pure mind. At last he rose from his stool, intending to bow down and worship, when he saw a gigantic devil standing in front of the ikon, waiting to be worshipped. Meanwhile, the cell filled with evil spirits. Father Silouan sat down again, and with bowed head and aching heart he prayed,

"Lord, Thou seest that I desire to pray to Thee with a pure mind but the devils will not let me. Instruct me, what must I do to stop them hindering me?"

And his soul heard,

"The proud always suffer from devils."

"Lord," said Silouan,"'teach me what I must do that my soul may become humble."

Once more, his heart heard God's answer,

"Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not."

+ St. Sophrony of Essex, St. Silouan the Athonite

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Descend into your heart, and there do battle with Satan.

+ St. Macarius the Great

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Be still, and know that I am God.

- Psalm 45 (Psalm 46 Masoretic Text)