After the repose of Saint Peter the Athonite (June 12) in 734, two monks who had robbed his grave stole the Saint’s relics. Fleeing Mount Athos, they eventually arrived at the village of Phokai, which was located in Thrace. In the village stood a well, where the monks sat down to eat bread after their weary journey. Meanwhile, the relics of the Saint hung in a sack from the branch of a nearby olive tree.
As the monks were eating, a number of men, women, and children approached them, shouting:
“Where is the great Peter who has come from Mount Athos? We must go out and meet him!”
Near the well where the monks were eating stood a large cistern. The area had long been abandoned and had become a dwelling place of demons. It was said that a thousand demons inhabited it, wreaking havoc not only in the lives of people, but also among dogs, oxen, and other animals.
When the relics of Saint Peter arrived, the demons fled in terror into the village, where they entered the villagers and possessed them all. The villagers then gathered together and hurried toward the olive tree.
Upon reaching the tree, the demon-possessed villagers began to scream and tore open the sack containing the Saint’s relics. At once, however, an extraordinary wonder took place: all the villagers were delivered from the demons. The foul creatures could be heard wailing and lamenting as they departed.
Through the grace bestowed upon the relics of Saint Peter, the demons were completely driven out of the village of Phokai.
