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Many people have seen ghosts and many people have stated that many homes are haunted. Does the church believe in ghosts?
Answer to Question 509 In the west, and especially in Britain, one hears of countless stories of ghosts. There is a general understanding that these ghosts are supposedly the souls of people trapped in the earthly realm and from time to time enjoy appearing to the living. In contrast, in Cyprus and other Orthodox countries, people never see ghosts but have visions of saints. These we can say are two sides of the same coin. and both are demonic deceptions.
Demons take what we believe in, they take the truth and twist it so that it appears as the truth, but with an added lie. In England, the belief in ghosts is so strong and in recent years, this belief has been strengthened by the media and with uncountable films on the occult. The belief in ghosts starts from a young age with comics and cartoons like Casper the friendly Ghost. The appearances of ghost can only be explained as demons appearing as the souls of dead people and this they do to deceive people of the true teachings on life after death and at the same time bring terror into the hearts of those beholding these visions.
Now Orthodox Christians as already mentioned, instead of ghosts see saints. A great many of these visions are true appearances of saints who through God’s will are sent to earth to help or heal the faithful. But demons are also known to appear as angels or saints and at times have appeared as Christ. The receiver of such visions is often deluded into thinking that if he is worthy to see such visions then he must be a good Christian and his way of life is pleasing to God. But how can we distinguish between a genuine holy vision and a demonic delusion? St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, a brilliant Russian Bishop who was canonised in 1988 and is commemorated on 30th April, devoted his life writing on the spiritual life and prayer: he warns that: You must know the following for your protection. When any kind of vision presents itself, do not become frightened, but no matter what kind of vision it might be, manfully ask it first of all: ‘Who are you, and where do you come from?’ If it is a manifestation of saints, they will calm you and will turn your fear into joy. But if it is a demonic apparition when it encounters firmness in your soul it will immediately waver, because the question serves as a sign of a brave soul. By asking such a question, Joshua the son of Nun became convinced of the truth when Michael the Archangel appeared unto him. After relating how even St. Symeon the Stylite was once almost deceived by a demon who appeared to him in the form of an angel in a fiery chariot.
St. Ignatius warns the Orthodox Christians of today: “If the saints have been in such danger of being deceived by evil spirits, this danger is even more frightful for us. If the saints have not always recognized demons who appeared to them in the form of saints and Christ Himself, how is it possible for us to think of ourselves that we will recognize them without mistake? The sole means of salvation from these spirits is absolutely to refuse perception of them and communion with them, acknowledging ourselves as unfit for such perception and Communion.
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