ACC ~ Mark 5 v15

THE PETITION FOR EXORCISM

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONS: After this, let the deacon say: Go out, catechumens, [1] in peace. And after they have gone out, let him say: You energumens, [2] afflicted with unclean spirits, pray, and let us all earnestly pray for them, that God, the lover of humankind, through Christ, may rebuke the unclean and wicked spirits, and deliver the faithful from the dominion of the adversary. May he that rebuked the legion of demons, and the devil, the prince of wickedness, even now rebuke these demons which have turned away from piety. May God deliver his own workmanship from their power, and cleanse those creatures which he has with great wisdom created. CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 8.2.6. [3]

[1] A candidate for baptism; Tertullian Prescription Against Heretics 41; Hippolytus Apostolic Tradition 16-20; EEC 151; EECy 185.

[2] An individual believed to be possessed or inhabited by a demon.

[3] PG 1:1080; ANF 7:483-84*. The worshiping community is authorized to petition God to deliver the faithful from demonic powers.