Fragments of a Prayer and an Exorcism

Name: Fragments of a Prayer and an Exorcism
Author: Epiphanius of Salamis

Fragmenta precationis et exorcismi

Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310/320–403 AD) · PG 41-43

Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310/320–403) is the name on this prayer and exorcism. The text is a short formula preserved under his name.

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Contents2 passages

1Invocation and Exorcism of an Unclean Spirit
2Closing doxology after the exorcism command

Author

Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310/320–403 AD) — Bishop of Salamis (Constantia) on Cyprus. Best known for the Panarion (Medicine Chest), a vast catalogue of heresies, with the Ancoratus as a shorter doctrinal anchor for the churches. A fierce defender of Nicene orthodoxy and monastic discipline.

All works by Epiphanius of Salamis

About this text

A short prayer under the name of Epiphanius, calling on God and ordering an unclean spirit to fear him, and ending in praise.

The speaker calls on God Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly king, and the maker of heaven and earth. The voice then commands the unclean spirit.

The command tells the spirit to fear the one clothed with light as with a garment, the only one who has immortality and unapproachable light. The fragment ends with glory and dominion to God forever. The citations use the old names of the biblical books.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 41 – 43 (Greek)

This work has passed our source check. We made this study translation with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open Greek on any section to see the source text. It is not a critical edition.

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Invocation and Exorcism of an Unclean Spirit§1

The exorcist opens the fragment by calling upon God the Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly king, and upon the maker of heaven and earth, then commands an unclean spirit by the word of God.

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1We call upon you, God Almighty, Lord Jesus Christ, heavenly king. We call upon you, the maker of heaven and earth.

I command you, unclean spirit, by the word of God who made heaven and earth: fear the one who is clothed with light as with a garment (Psalm 104:2), the one alone having immortality and unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16).

To him be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

Greek · §1

The Greek is on each section page: §1

Closing doxology after the exorcism command§2

The exorcist has just commanded the unclean spirit to fear God, and now closes the fragment with a doxology ascribing glory and dominion to God forever.

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2God Almighty, Lord Jesus Christ, heavenly king, we call upon you. We call upon you who made heaven and earth. Unclean spirit, I command you by the word of God who made heaven and earth: fear the one who is clothed with light as with a garment (Psalm 104:2), the only one who has immortality and unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). To him be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

Greek · §2

The Greek is on each section page: §2

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