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“He had learned in prayer that the presence of the Holy Spirit for which he longed was granted more intimately to those who invoke him, the more the Holy Spirit found them withdrawn from the noise of worldly affairs. Therefore seeking out lonely places, he used to go to deserted areas and abandoned churches to pray at night. There he often endured horrible struggles with devils who fought with him physically, trying to distract him from his commitment to prayer. But armed with heavenly weapons, the more vehemently he was attacked by the enemy, the more courageous he became in practicing virtue and the more fervent in prayer, saying confidently to Christ: "Under the shadow of your wings, protect me from the face of the wicked who have attacked me" (Ps. 17:8-9). To the devils he said: "Do whatever you want to me, you malicious and deceitful spirits! For you cannot do anything except insofar as God relaxes his hold on you. And I am ready and happy to endure everything that his hand should decide to let loose on me." Such firmness of mind the devils could not bear, and they retreated in confusion.”