www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Byzantine Exorcism?

Now, I think I know the answer to my own question, since exorcism is a ceremonial blessing, and Byzantine tradition limits ceremonial blessings to priests only. But, since the question of "who can exorcise" has gone through various levels of laxity and strictness in the history of the Roman Church (with the 1983 Code of Canon Law being perhaps the strictest situation), I was wondering what the rules generally were in the Eastern Churches?
(e.g., only priest designed by the bishop, any priest, priest or deacon, etc.)

Do you mean only the eastern catholic churches or the orthodox churches as well. As far as I know, in the Orthodox Church, exorcism is performed by a priest according to the prescribed ritual. Usually, exorcisms only take place prior to baptisms and chrismations.

Joe

I guess, both, in a way, since it's a practice that has changed in its application over time.

The Book of Needs contains the Exorcism prayers of the Byzantine tradition. 4 by St. John Chrysostom and 4 by St. Basil the Great that would be considered traditional prayers to be read over people possessed or afflicted by demons. 5 others exist for farms and livestock afflicted by demons. There is no service, the prayers are simply read, nor is there any restirction on their use. A priest may read them over thsoe he deems necessary, alhtough before doing so I am sure most priests would want to besure the person is not physically or mentally ill.