Saint Paisios on Curses, the Evil Eye, and the Power of Parental Words
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What the video says
The video presents Saint Paisios's teachings on the spiritual reality of curses and the evil eye, emphasizing they are not superstitions but consequences of injustice and pride. It warns that worldly logic separates people from God, while true spiritual freedom comes from humility, repentance, forgiveness, and trust in God's will.
Parents are cautioned that their words can spiritually harm their children, and the only true protection is the Cross and a sanctified mind.
Key moments
- Evil eye and curses are real spiritual dangers, not superstitions; a curse takes effect only when there is injustice, and God permits it, but an unjust curse returns to the one who uttered it.
- Cursing is akin to murder and stems from malice; Christians must never curse, not even say "May God deal with him," but respond with gentleness, kindness, and forgiveness.
- Saint Paisios warns that many unexplained illnesses and family tragedies come from curses, injustice, or witchcraft; the cursed person suffers in this life if at fault, but the curser suffers in this life and the next unless they repent and confess.
- A parent's curse or indignation toward a child carries immense spiritual weight and can cause lifelong suffering; saying "Go to the devil" gives Satan rights over the child; the greatest inheritance is a parent's blessing, and freedom from curses comes through sincere repentance and confession.
- Worldly logic and pride blind modern man to spiritual reality; absolute reliance on logic restricts a person, moves them away from God, and often conceals egoism, making intelligent people defenseless against evil.
- Human logic and judgment are obstacles to spiritual progress and drive away divine grace; the remedy is to empty the mind and cultivate good thoughts, placing the heart above dry intellectual reasoning.
- Even unintentional harm can occur through the evil eye when envy or malice is present, or when a person receives a compliment with pride, causing God to withdraw grace; the solution is to process life through the heart, see God in one's neighbor, and submit to God's will.
- Reliance on logic has shaken faith; miracles happen only through faith, not logic; Saint Paisios forbids using evil-eye charms on babies—only the Cross should be used—and warns that parental pride when showing off children can cause them suffering.
The post presents Saint Paisios of Mount Athos's teaching on the spiritual reality of curses and the evil eye, countering modern rationalist dismissal of these as superstition. According to the saint, a curse takes effect only when injustice exists; an unjust curse rebounds upon the one who uttered it. Spiritual protection comes not from fear or talismans but from a life of repentance, sacramental confession, and trust in divine providence.
The video emphasizes the particular weight of parental words: anger or bitter speech toward a child can give the adversary a foothold, while a parent's blessing and humility are the greatest inheritance. Saint Paisios warns that reliance on human logic alone blinds a person to spiritual reality and drives away grace; the remedy is humility, good thoughts (logismoi), and prayer of the heart.
The post also offers a free prayer guide of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian for anxiety and mentions an icon of the 6th-century Christ Pantocrator from Saint Catherine's Monastery for the home prayer corner.
Main points
- Curses and the evil eye are real spiritual phenomena rooted in injustice, not superstition; an unjust curse returns to the curser.
- Parental words carry spiritual authority; bitter or angry speech can harm a child, while blessing and humility protect.
- Human logic and pride separate a person from God; spiritual freedom comes through humility, repentance, and prayer of the heart.
- The Cross, not charms, is the only true protection against spiritual oppression.
- Practical resources include a free prayer guide of Saint Arsenios for anxiety and the Christ Pantocrator icon for the home.