The Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
He was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of the illustrious pagan Eustorgios, and he was named Pantoleon. His mother St. Eubula (March 30) was a Christian. She wanted to raise her son in the Christian Faith, but she died when the future martyr was just a young child. His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school, after which the young man studied medicine at Nicomedia under the renowned physician Euphrosynos. Pantoleon came to the attention of the emperor Maximian (284-305), who wished to appoint him as royal physician when he finished his schooling.
The hieromartyrs Hermolaos, Hermippos and Hermokrates, survivors of the massacre of 20,000 Christians in 303 (December 28), were living secretly in Nicomedia at that time. St. Hermolaos saw Pantoleon time and again when he came to the house where they were hiding. Once, the priest invited the youth to the house and spoke about the Christian Faith. After this Pantoleon visited St. Hermolaos every day.
One day the saint found a dead child on the street. He had been bitten by a great snake, which was still beside the child's body. Pantoleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to revive the dead child and to destroy the venomous reptile. He firmly resolved that if his prayer were fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and receive Baptism. The child rose up alive, and the snake died before Pantoleon's eyes. After this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by St. Hermolaos with the name Panteleimon (meaning "all-merciful"). Speaking with Eustorgios, St. Panteleimon prepared him to accept Christianity. When the father saw how his son healed a blind man by invoking Jesus Christ, he then believed in Christ and was baptized by St. Hermolaos together with the man whose sight was restored.
After the death of his father, St. Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited those held captive in prison. These were usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. In a short time, reports of the charitable physician spread throughout the city. Forsaking the other doctors, the inhabitants began to turn only to St. Panteleimon.
The envious doctors told the emperor that St. Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximian urged the saint to refute the charge by offering sacrifice to idols. St. Panteleimon confessed himself a Christian, and suggested that a sick person, for whom the doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emperor. Then the doctors could invoke their gods, and Panteleimon would pray to his God to heal the man. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave St. Panteleimon over to fierce torture.
The Lord appeared to the saint and strengthened him before his sufferings. They suspended the Great Martyr Panteleimon from a tree and scraped him with iron hooks, burned him with fire and then stretched him on the rack, threw him into a cauldron of boiling tar, and cast him into the sea with a stone around his neck. Throughout these tortures the martyr remained unhurt, and denounced the emperor. At this time the priests Hermolaos, Hermippos and Hermokrates were brought before the court of the pagans. All three confessed their faith in the Savior and were beheaded (July 26).
By order of the emperor they brought the Great Martyr Panteleimon to the circus to be devoured by wild beasts. The animals, however, came up to him and licked his feet. The spectators began to shout, "Great is the God of the Christians!" The enraged Maximian ordered the soldiers to stab with the sword anyone who glorified Christ, and to cut off the head of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. They led the saint to the place of execution and tied him to an olive tree. While the martyr prayed, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword became soft like wax and inflicted no wound. The saint completed his prayer, and a Voice was heard from Heaven, calling the passion-bearer by his new name and summoning him to the heavenly Kingdom.
Hearing the Voice, the soldiers fell down on their knees before the holy martyr and begged forgiveness. They refused to continue with the execution, but St. Panteleimon told them to fulfil the emperor's command, because otherwise they would have no share with him in the future life. The soldiers tearfully took their leave of the saint with a kiss.
When the saint was beheaded, the olive tree to which the saint was tied became covered with fruit. Many who were present at the execution believed in Christ. The saint's body was thrown into a fire, but remained unharmed, and was buried by Christians . St. Panteleimon's servants Lawrence, Bassos and Probus witnessed his execution and heard the Voice from Heaven. They recorded the life, the sufferings and death of the saint.
Portions of the holy relics of the Great Martyr Panteleimon were distributed throughout all the Christian world. His venerable head is now located at the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mt. Athos.
St. Panteleimon is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a mighty saint, and the protector of soldiers. This aspect of his veneration is derived from his first name Pantoleon, which means "a lion in everything".
His second name, Panteleimon, given him at Baptism, which means "all-merciful", is manifest in the veneration of the martyr as a healer. The connection between these two aspects of the saint is readily apparent in that soldiers, receiving wounds more frequently than others, are more in need of a physician-healer. Christians waging spiritual warfare also have recourse to this saint, asking him to heal their spiritual wounds.
The holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is invoked in the Mystery of Anointing the Sick, at the Blessing of Water, and oil and in the Prayers for the Sick.
The loveliest church dedicated to him is found on the Holy Mountain.
St. Panteleimon is the Patron of physicians and medicine; St. Panteleimon's Day is celebrated on the 9th of August according to the Julian Calendar (July 27th according to the Gregorian calendar).
He was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of the illustrious pagan Eustorgios, and he was named Pantoleon. His mother St. Eubula (March 30) was a Christian. She wanted to raise her son in the Christian Faith, but she died when the future martyr was just a young child. His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school, after which the young man studied medicine at Nicomedia under the renowned physician Euphrosynos. Pantoleon came to the attention of the emperor Maximian (284-305), who wished to appoint him as royal physician when he finished his schooling.
The hieromartyrs Hermolaos, Hermippos and Hermokrates, survivors of the massacre of 20,000 Christians in 303 (December 28), were living secretly in Nicomedia at that time. St. Hermolaos saw Pantoleon time and again when he came to the house where they were hiding. Once, the priest invited the youth to the house and spoke about the Christian Faith. After this Pantoleon visited St. Hermolaos every day.
One day the saint found a dead child on the street. He had been bitten by a great snake, which was still beside the child's body. Pantoleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to revive the dead child and to destroy the venomous reptile. He firmly resolved that if his prayer were fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and receive Baptism. The child rose up alive, and the snake died before Pantoleon's eyes. After this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by St. Hermolaos with the name Panteleimon (meaning "all-merciful"). Speaking with Eustorgios, St. Panteleimon prepared him to accept Christianity. When the father saw how his son healed a blind man by invoking Jesus Christ, he then believed in Christ and was baptized by St. Hermolaos together with the man whose sight was restored.
After the death of his father, St. Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited those held captive in prison. These were usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. In a short time, reports of the charitable physician spread throughout the city. Forsaking the other doctors, the inhabitants began to turn only to St. Panteleimon.
The envious doctors told the emperor that St. Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximian urged the saint to refute the charge by offering sacrifice to idols. St. Panteleimon confessed himself a Christian, and suggested that a sick person, for whom the doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emperor. Then the doctors could invoke their gods, and Panteleimon would pray to his God to heal the man. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave St. Panteleimon over to fierce torture.
The Lord appeared to the saint and strengthened him before his sufferings. They suspended the Great Martyr Panteleimon from a tree and scraped him with iron hooks, burned him with fire and then stretched him on the rack, threw him into a cauldron of boiling tar, and cast him into the sea with a stone around his neck. Throughout these tortures the martyr remained unhurt, and denounced the emperor. At this time the priests Hermolaos, Hermippos and Hermokrates were brought before the court of the pagans. All three confessed their faith in the Savior and were beheaded (July 26).
By order of the emperor they brought the Great Martyr Panteleimon to the circus to be devoured by wild beasts. The animals, however, came up to him and licked his feet. The spectators began to shout, "Great is the God of the Christians!" The enraged Maximian ordered the soldiers to stab with the sword anyone who glorified Christ, and to cut off the head of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. They led the saint to the place of execution and tied him to an olive tree. While the martyr prayed, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword became soft like wax and inflicted no wound. The saint completed his prayer, and a Voice was heard from Heaven, calling the passion-bearer by his new name and summoning him to the heavenly Kingdom.
Hearing the Voice, the soldiers fell down on their knees before the holy martyr and begged forgiveness. They refused to continue with the execution, but St. Panteleimon told them to fulfil the emperor's command, because otherwise they would have no share with him in the future life. The soldiers tearfully took their leave of the saint with a kiss.
When the saint was beheaded, the olive tree to which the saint was tied became covered with fruit. Many who were present at the execution believed in Christ. The saint's body was thrown into a fire, but remained unharmed, and was buried by Christians . St. Panteleimon's servants Lawrence, Bassos and Probus witnessed his execution and heard the Voice from Heaven. They recorded the life, the sufferings and death of the saint.
Portions of the holy relics of the Great Martyr Panteleimon were distributed throughout all the Christian world. His venerable head is now located at the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mt. Athos.
St. Panteleimon is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a mighty saint, and the protector of soldiers. This aspect of his veneration is derived from his first name Pantoleon, which means "a lion in everything".
His second name, Panteleimon, given him at Baptism, which means "all-merciful", is manifest in the veneration of the martyr as a healer. The connection between these two aspects of the saint is readily apparent in that soldiers, receiving wounds more frequently than others, are more in need of a physician-healer. Christians waging spiritual warfare also have recourse to this saint, asking him to heal their spiritual wounds.
The holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is invoked in the Mystery of Anointing the Sick, at the Blessing of Water, and oil and in the Prayers for the Sick.
The loveliest church dedicated to him is found on the Holy Mountain.
St. Panteleimon is the Patron of physicians and medicine; St. Panteleimon's Day is celebrated on the 9th of August according to the Julian Calendar (July 27th according to the Gregorian calendar).
Shown always with a compartmented medicine box, with a long-handled spatula or spoon; a martyr's cross.
Patronage Physicians, midwives, livestock, soldiers , wine and olive growers invoked against illnesses, accidents and loneliness, helper for crying children
Patronage Physicians, midwives, livestock, soldiers , wine and olive growers invoked against illnesses, accidents and loneliness, helper for crying children
http://www.saintpanteleimon.org/life.html>
http://www.panteleimon.org/pante.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pantaleon
http://www.panteleimon.org/pante.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pantaleon
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St. Panteleimon
(St. Pantaleon)
Note: the transliteration of names in the story of this saint is quite variable. In the following, the style commonly used in the West is presented when available.
St. Pantaleon, with (left) his mother St. Eubula, and (right) St. Hermolaus
St. Pantaleon was a contemporary of the brothers Cosmas and Damien who are perhaps the best known of the physician saints (along with St. Luke the evangelist; Pantaleon has a particularly important place in the Orthodox Churches, comparable to Cosmas and Damien). The following story incorporates later additions that embellish the original knowledge of his life that had been passed on during the fourth century.
Pantaleon was born about 284 A.D. in the city of Nicodemia (currently called Izmit, in northern Turkey near the Black Sea). His mother, Eubula, was a devout Christian who raised her son in the Christian way of life, while his father did not convert until much later. She passed away while her son was still young.
Pantaleon was handsome, soft spoken, and humble; all who spoke with him felt true happiness and peace. His father, Eustorgius, sent him to study under a famous physician, Euphrosinos. One day Pantaleon went with Euphrosinos to the palace where the ruler, Maximian Herculius (who reigned 286-305 A.D.), first encountered him. Maximian instructed Euphrosinos to educate Pantaleon to the extent that he could be appointed royal physician.
Pantaleon was also watched over by St. Hermolaus, the head of the Church in Nicodemia. Hermolaus asked him about his religion. Pantoleon told him that while his mother was alive he had been a Christian, but after her death his father had made him follow the pagans. Hermolaus told him that if he believed with all his heart in the true God he would be able to cure anyone with His help. After that, he went to Hermolaus for counsel and began to accept Christ with all his heart.
One day, Pantaleon saved a child from certain death after being bitten by a viper, a miraculous recovery. He needed no further proof that Christ was the true God. Hermolaus baptized Pantaleon, gave him Holy Communion, and instructed him in the Sacraments of the Holy Church. Pantaleon then remained for seven days with Hermolaus to become acquainted with the teachings and practices of the Church.
Another miraculous healing occurred; Pantoleon cured a man of his blindness; he regained not only his sight, but also his spiritual vision. Pantaleon's father, upon learning of this, converted. Pantaleon took the man who could now see and his father to St Hermolaus, who baptized them.
St. Pantaleon
After his father died, Pantaleon freed the estate's slaves and distributed his wealth among the poor and then proceeded to cure all who came to him. The only payment he would ask was that the healed persons believe that Jesus Christ was their true healer. The other physicians became envious; wanting to betray him to the Emperor, a group of them went to Maximian and told him that Panteleon was healing people who were converting to Christianity. As proof, the blind man who was cured was brought before the Emperor, who tried to convince the man that the gods had cured him and not Christ. But it was futile; he ordered that the man be beheaded.
Pantaleon was ordered to appear before the Emperor, who described the charges against him and tried to save Pantaleon by having him make a sacrifice to the Roman gods. He refused. Those opposing Pantaleon asked the Emperor to execute him so that Christianity would not gain in popularity. This occurred during the Diocletian persecution (the Emperor Diocletian ruled the Eastern provinces, while Maximian ruled the Western provinces of the Roman Empire). Failing to convince Pantaleon to betray his Christian beliefs, Maximian ordered him tortured and killed. However, he miraculously survived several attempts. Eventually, the Emperor had Pantaleon, Hermolaus, and two other men (Hermippus and Hermocrates, who were brothers) who also refused to renounce their faith, beheaded. The body of Pantaleon was anointed with myrrh and buried outside of the city. His remains, or a portion of them, were later moved to Constantinople. He was named Panteleimon, meaning the all-compassionate. In the Middle Ages, he came to be regarded as the patron saint of physicians and midwives. Numerous churches, shrines, and monasteries have been named for St. Panteleimon. Like Cosmas and Damien, he is remembered for his generosity in providing free medical care, and for his unwavering faith unto death.
Prayers for intercession
"You emulated God's mercy, and He granted you the power of healing, o Panteleimon, victorious martyr of Christ. Heal our spiritual diseases through your intercession, and as we constantly cry out to the Lord, 'Save us!' take away the temptations which the enemy always places before our steps."
"Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that by the prayers of thy holy Martyr blessed Pantaleon, we may be delivered from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul."
Icons of St. Panteleimon showing him holding a medicine box.
(St. Pantaleon)
Note: the transliteration of names in the story of this saint is quite variable. In the following, the style commonly used in the West is presented when available.
St. Pantaleon, with (left) his mother St. Eubula, and (right) St. Hermolaus
St. Pantaleon was a contemporary of the brothers Cosmas and Damien who are perhaps the best known of the physician saints (along with St. Luke the evangelist; Pantaleon has a particularly important place in the Orthodox Churches, comparable to Cosmas and Damien). The following story incorporates later additions that embellish the original knowledge of his life that had been passed on during the fourth century.
Pantaleon was born about 284 A.D. in the city of Nicodemia (currently called Izmit, in northern Turkey near the Black Sea). His mother, Eubula, was a devout Christian who raised her son in the Christian way of life, while his father did not convert until much later. She passed away while her son was still young.
Pantaleon was handsome, soft spoken, and humble; all who spoke with him felt true happiness and peace. His father, Eustorgius, sent him to study under a famous physician, Euphrosinos. One day Pantaleon went with Euphrosinos to the palace where the ruler, Maximian Herculius (who reigned 286-305 A.D.), first encountered him. Maximian instructed Euphrosinos to educate Pantaleon to the extent that he could be appointed royal physician.
Pantaleon was also watched over by St. Hermolaus, the head of the Church in Nicodemia. Hermolaus asked him about his religion. Pantoleon told him that while his mother was alive he had been a Christian, but after her death his father had made him follow the pagans. Hermolaus told him that if he believed with all his heart in the true God he would be able to cure anyone with His help. After that, he went to Hermolaus for counsel and began to accept Christ with all his heart.
One day, Pantaleon saved a child from certain death after being bitten by a viper, a miraculous recovery. He needed no further proof that Christ was the true God. Hermolaus baptized Pantaleon, gave him Holy Communion, and instructed him in the Sacraments of the Holy Church. Pantaleon then remained for seven days with Hermolaus to become acquainted with the teachings and practices of the Church.
Another miraculous healing occurred; Pantoleon cured a man of his blindness; he regained not only his sight, but also his spiritual vision. Pantaleon's father, upon learning of this, converted. Pantaleon took the man who could now see and his father to St Hermolaus, who baptized them.
St. Pantaleon
After his father died, Pantaleon freed the estate's slaves and distributed his wealth among the poor and then proceeded to cure all who came to him. The only payment he would ask was that the healed persons believe that Jesus Christ was their true healer. The other physicians became envious; wanting to betray him to the Emperor, a group of them went to Maximian and told him that Panteleon was healing people who were converting to Christianity. As proof, the blind man who was cured was brought before the Emperor, who tried to convince the man that the gods had cured him and not Christ. But it was futile; he ordered that the man be beheaded.
Pantaleon was ordered to appear before the Emperor, who described the charges against him and tried to save Pantaleon by having him make a sacrifice to the Roman gods. He refused. Those opposing Pantaleon asked the Emperor to execute him so that Christianity would not gain in popularity. This occurred during the Diocletian persecution (the Emperor Diocletian ruled the Eastern provinces, while Maximian ruled the Western provinces of the Roman Empire). Failing to convince Pantaleon to betray his Christian beliefs, Maximian ordered him tortured and killed. However, he miraculously survived several attempts. Eventually, the Emperor had Pantaleon, Hermolaus, and two other men (Hermippus and Hermocrates, who were brothers) who also refused to renounce their faith, beheaded. The body of Pantaleon was anointed with myrrh and buried outside of the city. His remains, or a portion of them, were later moved to Constantinople. He was named Panteleimon, meaning the all-compassionate. In the Middle Ages, he came to be regarded as the patron saint of physicians and midwives. Numerous churches, shrines, and monasteries have been named for St. Panteleimon. Like Cosmas and Damien, he is remembered for his generosity in providing free medical care, and for his unwavering faith unto death.
Prayers for intercession
"You emulated God's mercy, and He granted you the power of healing, o Panteleimon, victorious martyr of Christ. Heal our spiritual diseases through your intercession, and as we constantly cry out to the Lord, 'Save us!' take away the temptations which the enemy always places before our steps."
"Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that by the prayers of thy holy Martyr blessed Pantaleon, we may be delivered from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul."
Icons of St. Panteleimon showing him holding a medicine box.
Artcle and Photo coutesy of
http://www.itmonline.org/bodytheology/stpant.htm
http://www.itmonline.org/bodytheology/stpant.htm