Exorcism

Exorcism is the practice of evicting demons or other evil spiritual entities which are supposed to have possessed (taken control of) a person or object. The practice, though ancient in roots, is still part of the belief system of many religions. The word "exorcism" means "to come out of".

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The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a priest, or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use a combination of magical and religious methods, such as prayers and set formulas, gestures, icons and amulets. The exorcist's goal is to force the evil spirit to vacate.

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The influential horror movie The Exorcist (1973, re-released 2000) was inspired by an actual Catholic exorcism. After its release, the Catholic diocese of Chicago, Illinois was inundated with so many requests for exorcism that it had to add exorcists to its existing staff.

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Demon: In folklore, mythology, and religion, a demon or demoness is a supernatural being that has generally been described as a malevolent spirit but outside Christian circles was viewed as a sort of elemental spirit: compare Daemon and djinn. A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured ...

Possessed: Possessed can refer to:...

Religion: Religion (see etymology below) —sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. In its broadest sense som...

Exorcism related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Last Exorcism

The Exorcism Of Emily Rose

Exorcism of a Man Possessed by a Demon from the Altarpiece of St. Bernard of Clairvaux