Demonoclast | St. Marina's Hammer | NIKA Fist | Christ Conquers | Demon Smasher | Unseen Warfare | Christian Martyrdom | Orthodox Canvas ArtThe peculiarity which distinguishes the Great Martyr Marina from other holy virgins, and even men, is that the girl made active physical resistance to Satan. After entering into single combat with him, Saint Marina continued to pray. Noticing a copper hammer lying in the corner of the dungeon, she grabbed it and began to beat Satan on the head with it, holding him by the horns, and stepping on his neck, Saint Marina said: Depart from me, O lawless

Rublev was inspired to make explicit the Trinitarian content of that fateful encounter with the Venerable Patriarch and his wife

simple and holy as an angel

keeping us in the secret desert of Thy salvation

be fainthearted in my hopes

” Perhaps this is less remarkable when considering that all human philosophy has come about since the Fall from Paradise

You shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born

with all that therein is

with all the hosts of Heaven

- Psalm 148 (read during Matins at the Praises/Lauds)

Who shed His blood in order to redeem our soul from its enemy

the treasure is the preaching and knowledge of Christ

But having shaken off all ties with earthly things and having stripped himself of all his cares