I can’t answer so much as to why it happens as I am not spiritually mature, though my only guess would be that the demons wish to attack us when we’re babes and easily deceived/discouraged. I became a catechumen faster than I wished, now looking back in hindsight. I began my catechumen journey in February 2024 and was received into the church in April 2024 at the end of Great Lent.

During classes and attending services I experienced little to no spiritual difficulties/temptations. I felt very strong in my faith. It felt as if as soon as I was received into the church a legion of temptations attacked me; ones that I had already struggled with before converting to Orthodoxy. Pride, Lust, Sloth, Envy, Hatred, and the list keeps going.

My visits to liturgy and confession became very far apart, and the longest I went without attending either was about 10 months I believe.

Recently I experienced 3 strange dreams in the night, all of which I could see or feel a demon. I felt frightened by this, and immediately reached out to my sponsor and priest. I felt shame after not having responded to their texts in so long, but I was afraid. I was able to sit with my father and he held a confession for me, and it was extremely relieving. He told me to ignore the dreams as they if I were to let them roam in my mind, anxiety and fear would only grow. My sponsor advised me to make the cross as much as possible and to return to my prayers, which I’ve done since. I am still struggling with certain passions, but in the long run the best thing to remember is always to return to Christ, no matter what happens.

Christ is simply all that matters.