Feast day is November 10th.
I have shared this with you before on a Wednesday, but it such a great story, it is worth repeating. The story of Leo the Great facing off with Atilla the Hun. From a Medieval Sourcebook: “Attila, the leader of the Huns, who was called the scourge of God, came into Italy, inflamed with fury, after he had laid waste with most savage frenzy” cities and towns all across Asia and Europe. When he came to Italy, it was feared that he would do the same there. The burden of negotiations fell to one man: the Bishop of Rome, later known as Leo the Great.
The text continues: “Leo had compassion on the calamity of Italy and Rome… went to meet Attila. The old man of harmless simplicity, venerable in his gray hair and his majestic garb, ready of his own will to give himself entirely for the defense of his flock, went forth to meet the tyrant who was destroying all things. He met Attila… saying “The senate and the people of Rome, once conquerors of the world, now indeed vanquished, come before thee as suppliants. We pray for mercy and deliverance. O Attila, thou king of kings, thou couldst have no greater glory than to see suppliant at thy feet this people before whom once all peoples and kings lay suppliant. Thou hast subdued, O Attila, the whole circle of the lands which it was granted to the Romans, victors over all peoples, to conquer. Now we pray that thou, who hast conquered others, shouldst conquer thyself. The people have felt thy scourge; now as suppliants they would feel thy mercy.”
As Leo said these things Attila stood looking upon his venerable garb and aspect, silent, as if thinking deeply. And lo, suddenly there were seen the apostles Peter and Paul, clad like bishops, standing by Leo, the one on the right hand, the other on the left. They held swords stretched out over his head, and threatened Attila with death if he did not obey the pope’s command. Wherefore Attila was appeased he who had raged as one mad. He by Leo’s intercession, straightway promised a lasting peace and withdrew beyond the Danube.”
For facing off against Atilla, Leo the Great (d.461) is known as “The Shield of God.”
I thought to myself, “You’ll never have to do battle like that,” but then I remembered how Michael and the angels fought against satan and his rebellious angels. After they cast out satan and the others, and it was said, “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” It isn’t Atilla the Hun that comes against us. Our enemy is far worse; therefore, we must follow the teachings of Holy Scripture: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful.” Why? “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:6-9)
And do not fear, for as Leo had Peter and Paul fighting by his side, we do as well, and more importantly, we have the Lord. As Moses told the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)
Your battles against satan and the evil spirits are as vicious and deadly as the battles against Atilla the Hun, but just as Leo was victorious, you will be as well. As the Psalmist declared,
Your way, O God, is holy;
who is so great a god as our God?
Answer: no one.
Candle in a Cave 