NOTES for Luk 4:31-36

Is it possible to distinguish an unclean spirit from mental illness? Unfortunately, this question comes before us again and again too often. But let us ask another question: do we need to do this? Yes, you will be told, it is necessary in order to know whether to take a person to exorcism prayers or to a psychiatric hospital for the strongest medications. We will not be able now to give a general rule that fits every case in life, but we know with complete certainty that among people whom doctors have recognized as ill there are good poets and deeply believing people. And today's fragment of the possessed man's confession also sounds like a certain testimony in favor of this.

But perhaps these are only flashes against the background of madness? In some cases, yes, and then the person must be drawn both to Christ and to medical treatment, because madness is dangerous both for the person himself and for those around him. But let us think about another kind of "madness." Let us remember Blessed Xenia of Petersburg. Truly, the beginning of her path of blessedness, marked by her husband's death, can be understood as real madness. She dressed in his clothing, said that she was the one who had died while her husband had not died, and asked to be called by his name. But, as is sung in the kontakion of Blessed Xenia, tone 7: "having exposed the madness of the world by supposed madness, you received the power of God through the humility of the cross." And this is no longer madness, but blessedness. How can one distinguish it? Very simply: by its fruits. In Petersburg it was considered a good sign to give something to Blessed Xenia; people were drawn to her. But if the fruits of madness are sin and temptation for others, then this is a genuine unclean spirit, even if it dresses itself in the garments of reason.

So is it necessary to distinguish an unclean spirit from mental illness? The point is not to distinguish those two, but to distinguish the fruits of the spirit. And if they are poisonous, then psychiatry and spiritual means of struggle should both be brought in, for example exorcism prayers, or better simply frequent participation in the Divine Liturgy. But if their fruits are sweet, then here is truly a treasury of the spirit, even if it is clothed in the form of madness; let us not be afraid of this.