The ROC began a separate document to outline and summarize the practice and conditions of the exorcism ritual. The draft aims to allow the ceremony only for bishops or priests who have the blessing of the ruling bishops and to exclude outside observers from witnessing the rite.
“The rite of exorcism may be performed only by a bishop or priest who has the blessing of the presiding bishop for it. The church expects a high spiritual life from the person who leads the rite. Neither the exorcist nor their superiors should expect bribes to carry out the ceremony. The draft specifies that the exorcist must possess sufficient spiritual maturity and discernment to identify those who truly need help.”
The authors of the proposal were members of the Commission for the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church on theology and theological education. The project grew from concerns about harassment of both those who perform the rite and those who participate. The draft was published on church portals for discussion and sent to the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church for feedback. According to the Moscow Patriarchate’s site, comments on the draft are being collected by the Inter-Council Entity apparatus until the end of October this year.
How exorcisms should be conducted according to the rules:
– Only a bishop or priest who has the blessing of the presiding bishop may perform the ceremony. The process is voluntary and free. – Exorcism is intended only for cases of demonic possession. To distinguish possession from mental illness, clergy are urged to study basic psychiatric concepts. – It is necessary to differentiate demon possession from alcohol, drug addiction, and other forms of addiction. – It is important to separate holy fear from possession, since some individuals may react to the cross, holy water, or relics in a way that resembles possession but is related to a mental condition.
“God allows demons to correct a person”
The church teaches that possession can be a condition permitted by God for various reasons. Without this possibility, possession, like other bodily or mental disorders, would not be something a person experiences.
Yet, as the Gas Monk Dorotheus noted, God desires our good and invites us to humility in prayer. The document emphasizes that a special prayer and God’s grace can bring healing to those affected by an evil spirit, with the fulfillment of petitions held in God’s hands.
It is explained that possession does not imply greater sinfulness; rather, God allows demonic possession to reveal sins and guide personal transformation.
“Collective reprimands with the audience”
The ROC describes its stance on mass exorcisms as very cautious due to abuses by some performers and participants.
“Misuse by individuals often stems from unauthorized methods or self-serving motives. In some cases, during the rite, the patient may be subjected to humiliation or psychological pressure. Abuses include collective reprimands with an outside audience, along with photo and video recordings that are later shared publicly,” the proposal states.
There is also mention of participants showing signs of distress, sometimes labeled as hysterical responses. While the modern church recognizes these as a form of false perception, they are not considered possession. The text adds that such abuses should not be mistaken for the core act of the ritual, and proper spiritual care remains essential to prevent harm, including risks of despair or self-harm.
History and modern practice of exorcism
The practice of exorcism, traced to the Greek term ἐξορκισμός meaning forbidden or to bind, sits at the core of Christian tradition. The gospel accounts describe Jesus and his apostles casting out evil spirits. After the resurrection, the power to expel demons was entrusted to the Church: in his name, they drive out demons.
Early voices in the church, such as Hieromartyr Justin the Philosopher, spoke of Jesus as the one who came to free people from demonic influence. He described healing and liberation carried out by believers who called on the name of Jesus Christ. In ancient times, a special ministry within communities carried out prayers for the possessed, with certain rites forming part of baptismal ceremonies.
Today, exorcism is practiced with varying degrees of prevalence. In the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Antioch, the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, the Polish Orthodox Church, and the Orthodox Church in America, exorcism (aside from baptism) is not widely practiced. Other churches vary in the rites performed, the status of clergy who may lead them, and the specific prayers used.
Other beliefs and mass culture
Exorcism appears across many Christian denominations, including Catholic and Protestant traditions, and also in Islam and Judaism. In Catholic practice, priests may use assertive prayers and actions to urge a release from possession. Protestant approaches tend to emphasize practical care and counseling alongside spiritual measures. In Islam, a belief in jinn describes beings that can inhabit a person’s body in certain environments, with ritual not strictly required in every case. In Judaism, a dybbuk is sometimes expelled by a righteous person in the presence of a community, accompanied by specific rituals and prayers. The topic has long been shaped by popular media, notably films such as The Exorcist and subsequent works that have influenced public perception. The enduring interest in exorcism extends beyond church walls to literature, film, and popular culture, shaping how people understand possession and healing [Citation: Orthodox Church sources, contemporary theological discussions].