Holy Martyr Panteleimon is one of the most famous and venerated saints of the Church. Commemorated on 27 July is called “doctor without silver,” thereby revealing how he pretended not to anybody any kind of payment for the favors committed. It is considered the patron of doctors and healer of the sick, the doctor follows a model of Christ.
St. Panteleimon was born in Nicomedia of 284 to Eustorgios parents, pagan senator, and Middle, who was a Christian; they gave the name of Pantoleon, which in translation means “all powerful as a lion”. The child was entrusted for his education Eufrosin, renowned physician, he goes after a little while to perfect knowledge of the medical art so much that the Emperor Maximilian, who remarked qualities, intended to take him to the palace as a private practitioner. How the young man passed every day in front of the house where the priest lived Ermolaos, the latter guessed after the young outfit, the nobility of his soul, opening the front door, politely invited him to come for a discussion. Ermolaos wanted to try to catch Pantoleon in net for the kingdom of heaven. Pantoleon subjected venerable old. Ermolaos welcomed him warmly and asked that his name is, and who is seeking his position. The young man was directly in the answers they gave. He added that his dear departed mother was Christian, but his father is a idololatru. Ermolaos said: “But, baby, that religion you love more?” Pantoleon replied: “When my mother was alive, always inspired me to become a Christian when I get serious, this is my desire. But when my mother slept on when I was a child, leaving me alone with my father, he insisted to keep his religion. Because it was an ambition of his for me to honor the king “. Ermolaos then asked: “My child, that is the area that you are studying?” The young man replied: “Medicine, honorable old man, as taught by Asklepios, Hippocrates, Galen, and other scholars of this science. This is the profession that my father Eustorgios, preferred for me at the expense of all others. Moreover, Eufrosin my teacher encouraged me to follow these studies, believing that you excel as a doctor who will treat any disease. ”
Ermolaos heard his words, he felt it was time to talk to her about the real Doctor. He said his Pantoleon him: “Believe me, young man, when I say that the art of Asklepios, Galen and other ancient doctors, a study that you can offer little help to those who study their work. Moreover, Maximilian gods that worship them are nothing more than manifestations of alleged false fables that people think. The true God is: Jesus Christ. If you will believe in Him with all your heart, He will heal any disease without the application of any herb. By His grace, He cleanses the lepers, save those possessed by demons, stop bleeding and heal other incurable diseases and implacable. Indeed, it would be easier to count the sand of the sea and stars in the sky than to measure the miracles of Christ. Even now, at any time and any place, he stands by his servants and help, working miracles greater than when he was on earth. For Christ said that whoever believes in Him will do great and wonderful works. He promised them and other gifts to children who love Him. For us, the heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, we shall be made heirs of His kingdom. ”
Pantoleon, listening to these promises, felt an overwhelming happiness in the heart. A trial heard that everything is true and right. He wanted to clear the error of his father’s disbelief and accept the words of his loyal mother, whose teachings pious honor them and loved them. He answered: “What you said, wisest, I often hear from my mother in the past. I watched, too, as he was praying to God that not only called him Lord, but he invoke the help. ” Pantoleon expressed thanks for the advice provided by Ermolaos. He went his way then. He was happy to raise their bodily eyes and soul to heaven, while whispering words of glory and praise of God. He was grateful for being saved from error and darkness idols.
After the death of parents, he freed all slaves and divided her family’s wealth to the poor. Because not received payment for treatments that made them, it is called “doctor without silver.” Because it was sought after by many patients, other doctors Nicomedia became jealous of him and nursed a Christian just because tormented the Emperor, taking advantage of her opportunity to denounce him to the king Pantoleon. For young Pantoleon faith and love for Christ, Maximilian king commanded that it be subjected to unimaginable torture after deciding to be beheaded.
During torture, miraculously heal each time. Be thrown into the den of wild beasts torn, he remained steadfast in his belief. The soldiers just to behead, terrified are they cried: “Pray for us, holy man, to us forgive sins.” Even the holy urged to fulfill the command received from the king, the perpetrators were close, kissed the saint’s body, then one of them took a sword and executed the order. When he was beheaded, no blood flowed, but milk and olive tree which has been linked to Blessed Pantoleon roade.În filled all the time of his death, in heaven to hear the word “faithful servant, your wish will be fulfilled now The gates of heaven are open to you, your crown is ready. You’ll be from now on shelter for hopeless, help to try, sick doctor and terror of demons. Therefore, your name will no longer be Pantoleon but Panteleimon (meaning too merciful – nn) “.
For Christians not to take the honorable body of the saint, and it was on fire, but another miracle testified worthiness of him. Believers are removed from the body untouched by fire ashes of Pantelimon and buried him with great honor in 303. His relics were venerated by Christians from the outset and during the persecutions were kept as relics of great price. St. Panteleimon is considered the protector of physicians and healing the sick.
Some miracles of St. Panteleimon
Shortly after the first discussion with St. Ermolaos young Pantoleon began to visit him regularly and he was initiated into the mysteries of faith.
One day, while returning from Eufrosin, find a baby on the way, which died after being bitten by a viper. Then Pantoleon, wanting to prove the truth of his promises Ermolaos, it has called on the Christ child gets up again and soon die viper. Then he ran to Ermolaos and rejoicing, asked to receive Holy Baptism.
Once, when a blind man was led from his home Eustorgios relatives sufferer he knocked on the door and asked: “Is Pantoleon doctor at home?” Saint doctor, when he heard himself, invited his father, Eustorgios , to view with the patient. Pantoleon asked him the blind man what he wants. The patient replied frankly: “I want light eye doctor. For nothing is sweeter than the power of human sight. I ask you to have mercy on my misery and suffering. Have mercy on me, unhappy! For many doctors they have promised to return my sight, but failed. They just robbed my wealth in exchange for drugs, of which we have not received any benefit. Indeed, what little sight that I had I lost it with my money. I, unfortunate, we became poor. ” Noble Pantoleon replied: “Since you’ve spent all the wealth and all the properties on doctors, even if you did not get anything, then I what to expect if you heal?” The man answered, “Whatever remains of his fortune I will offer my welcome to you. ” Pantoleon replied: “The disease can be cured only your eyes to the true God using me as an instrument of His. As for the money that you promised me, you have to go and to divide the poor “. He made cross on the man’s eyes, praying to Christ and to place the man regained not only the body but also the eyes of soul, for he understood that Christ had healed. He was baptized by St. Ermolaos with Eustorgios – father of St. Panteleimon, which was not long before he fell asleep and alone.
The veneration of holy martyr doctor Unmercenaries the Russian Orthodox Church was already known in the twelfth century. Prince Izyaslav, son of Mstislav the Great, was an icon of the saint on his helmet. Through the intercession of the saint, he stayed alive during a battle since 1151. The day of the great martyr, Russian forces have won two naval victories against the Swedes (in 1714 and 1720 near Hanhauze next Grenham).
Parts of the holy relics of the great martyr Panteleimon were distributed worldwide. His head is now in Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery in Mount Athos.
St. Panteleimon, after his death, committed many cures for various diseases and demonic possession. Unfortunately, not many of his many miracles were recorded. Athonite Monastery parents were aware of the many works of healing, but did not keep any written records. The monastery, however, retained the charters and gifts offered by kings and princesses. Ioan Nicolae Moldovan ruler recorded in July 1744 that a terrible plague ravaged, decimating the population. They held a procession with some of the relics, namely the honest head of St. Panteleimon, is committed prayers to invoke divine aid. This resulted in a multitude of wonders. Prince John Nicholas, in gratitude to the saint doctor without silver, makes offerings and offerings Athos Monastery of St. Panteleimon. In 1750 and 1754 the honorable head of St. Panteleimon was again brought to Moldova committed themselves again a multitude of miracles.
In 1735, Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos came under Greek control. Two factors led to the decline of the monastery: lifestyle idioritmic and loss of financial aid of Russia. Athonit governing body of the Patriarch of Constantinople Protaton recommended since Calinic closure of the monastery. But God and His martyr arranged otherwise this problem. Patriarch inspired by God and His holy sought to restore the monastery and establish a cenobitic monasticism. Patriarch Sava old Calinic sought help from Hermitage Xenophon. He spent four years in Constantinople raising money for St. Panteleimon Monastery. Many miracles have occurred in the capital, especially when the venerable head of the saint was brought from Athos. The blind regained their sight, the lepers were cleansed, and those possessed by demons were exorcised. Old Sava could hardly meet all the requirements to be visited. But then war broke out between Turkey and Russia, which resulted in the loss of financial support from Patriarch Calinic. Then the doctor Unmercenaries Pantelimon took part in the reconstruction of his own monasteries. He committed many miracles that helped the new abbot of the monastery, the old Sava. The significance of the relics of St. Sava old success was so great that he was threatened by Muslims who felt that Islam was eclipsed in front of St. successes. However, athonit old life of St. Panteleimon was protected against all evil wiles.
At that time happened that Scarlat Calimachi what would become ruler of Moldavia († 1821), fall prey to serious diseases. Doctors have diagnosed as incurable disease. Ailing family invited him to visit the old Sava. He was asked to martyr Panteleimon to heal. Scarlat promised that if he would heal the great martyr, will build the monastery on Mount Athos in his honor. Once the old Sava gave a job to invoke the aid and blessing of holy water, he sprinkled holy water on Scarlat. The latter was then told him to drink a concoction mixed with holy water, which contained herbs on Mount Athos. The next day, he fully recovered. Scarlat Calimachi was kept his word, which concerned the construction of the monastery. After a few years, he succeeded to the throne of Moldova (1806) and raised the monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mount Athos near the sea. Moldavian ruler built the foundation and huge refectory central church, perhaps the greatest of all Mount Athos, plus bell tower and part of body cells. Dowry is a lingering; old charters and even Russian and Greek chroniclers and nuns record chronicles all this time. This monastery was later extended and enlarged using Dania coming from Russia.
Every saint has acted as a mediator during the Ottoman reign. A doctor at the yard have one girl who was possessed by a demon. The doctor of the court, a papist did not know how it could remedy the situation. He said that would give anything in exchange for the girl’s salvation. During this period, the old Sava was in Constantinople, and the honorable head of St. Panteleimon was doing many healings that increased the glory of Christ in the city. The doctor, even though he was a Roman Catholic, wanted to invite the old relics that part of his house. Sava came and took a job invocation of the saint in the presence possessed girl who was chained to a wall to prevent any violence from them. This was not only for the safety of others, but also for the safety of himself. Old Sava allowed him to kiss the relics. The doctor invited him to spend the night in the old man’s house as a guest of honor. The old man could not refuse. Sava was asked during the night at St. Pantelimon doctor. He relics placed in the room where the sick girl was handcuffed.
The next day, when brother Sava, doctor and relatives of the girl entered the room, they had a surprising picture. The girl was healthy and sane. Much prized and beautiful head of St. Panteleimon spring plate that was on the fragrant myrrh. The whole family was happy and it was glorified God and His martyr, Pantelimon. All have asked to be received into the Orthodox Church, which the old Sava did it with joy. As ointment that was surging venerable head of the martyr Sava old girl she left him, saying to her in her room and only Christ chose to offer that gift to savor.
Again, during Sava old abbey, a doctor was hired to take care of the needs of the brothers of the Monastery of St. Panteleimon. He intended to serve the monastery in two ways – not only as a doctor but also as a good monk. With these good intentions came and temptations that usually occur once the promise to serve God. Fidelity and love for God were subjected to a test. Devil continue to suggest that he could to thank God better through the implementation of its talents and gifts in the world, where there were more opportunities to do good. This proposal was presented to them in a very attractive way. Devil reminded the world that not only could do well but could do better himself away from the deprivations associated with monastic life. The fact that the doctor had a profitable profession and a significant amount of money already was pious deceptions of the devil and attractive. Then, the doctor declared that intention to become a monk was founded. The soul wanted to live in the world so as to enjoy and God and not to cause great inconvenience to himself.
On the day he planned to leave the monastery, some of the brothers came to say goodbye. They were horrified to find her disfigured body edema. His flesh tortured him so badly swollen that he could not go. Head hair and beard had fallen. His voice could barely be heard. Do not sow any doctor they knew that yesterday was perfectly healthy. The doctor felt like his life is running out. He gave his available money and properties to be transferred and abbot of the monastery. Then he besought the abbot to come and read his overhead prayers for forgiveness before he died.
Father Sava was rushed to visit the ailing, carrying with it small part of the relics, namely the honest head of St. Panteleimon. Brothers committed prayer before the icon of the Holy, asking his divine intercession. After they offered prayers and litanies, they have done a job of consecration of water. Dr. sick was sprinkled with holy water. The relics were recovered abbot, who made the sign of the cross over them sick. Doctor, repented, asked for forgiveness and the elder brothers. With his repentance, the swelling began to make increasingly smaller until they disappeared. Once healed, and he thanked his Healer, Saint Panteleimon, and vowed to remain at the monastery without silver doctors until the end of his days. I was given the name Filoteu. After five years, Filoteu brother passed to eternal life.
Another miracle we will narrate during stăreţiei Father Sava. A new monk joined the monastic community of St. Panteleimon. His name was Azariah. By his actions and by his lack of zeal, it was unstable in his decision to serve God it as a monk. On the basis of its inconsistency, the devil was convinced to return to the monastic lifestyle. First it was thought to tempt him to return to his former family life, where he was cared for and pampered. At the monastery, right from the start, he was assigned to the kitchen to make food for the workers. As noted, it has proved very effective in the performance of his debt so as three people work. The devil tried to draw him back into the world, citing the pretext that he needed to commit the act of charity to raise three orphaned family. Azarie spiritual warfare that I endured was long and painful. Even after years have passed, and the orphans reached the age of majority and no longer needed a guardian, he decided to leave the monastery – despite the insistence of Father Sava and brothers in the monastery.
How blew through the gates of the monastery, he saw that the place where the monastery was located bay was a vast plain that stretched before him. He was surprised by the unexplained alteration of geography and pondered what it might mean. Suddenly, he heard three stallions that led horsemen who seemed to be unfaithful Arabs. He quickly came to the opposite side of the peninsula Holy Mountain. They seemed to have reached the gates of the monastery close suddenly. Azarie saw a young man, around 18 years old, coming out of the gates of the monastery. He held a staff in hand. As if it were the owner of that holy abode has just been attacked by robbers, and he hit the three intruders with his rod. Azariah, wondering show, you could hear mocking the horsemen, saying: “Who are you here, children of perdition? Do not get hell fire? You want to steal a sheep and my property? You do not belong here, get out! “At this order and strikes cause staff, horsemen disappeared.
The young man was merciful Pantelimon who banished the demons had come disguised as riders evil to steal a lamb from the flock saint who was the patron saint of the monastery. Lamb, Azariah, watched this vision. Then the young man came back saddened by Azarie and rebuked him: “Why not give me any peace? Why upset me again and again? “Then the young man hit him on the right side Azarie. Since then, Azariah could not even sit down nor stand up without help. He could neither stand nor walk without help or without a crutch. St. miraculous intervention was actually a merciful gift. Azariah, due to his impotence, finally decided to stay in the monastery. After this episode, he was asked to guard the gates of the monastery. He was called to the Lord in 1836.
The relics of St. Panteleimon were spread throughout the Christian world, comfort and healing to the suffering believers. Many churches, chapels, chapels, monasteries, hospitals, clinics and medical institutions are placed under the protection of the Holy Martyr Panteleimon.
In our country, the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi, Galati Episcopal Cathedral and the Cathedral of Constanta preserves, with great joy, as an odor too expensive, one particle of the relics of St. Panteleimon. In Bucharest, many churches provide for veneration of the faithful one bit of the venerable relics of the Holy Doctor Unmercenaries Panteleimon Church of St. Panteleimon Monastery Plumbuita Church of Saint Stelian Lucaci Stavropoleos Church, Church of St. Demetrius Mail, Assumption Church-Precupeţii November Church St. Anthony the Great, St. Alexis Church.
St. Panteleimon is a wellspring of cures, healing various diseases and saved from suffering. Thus the great martyr and healer in the Sacrament of Holy Unction is invoked, the consecration of water and prayers for the sick.
O blessed doctor, icon and name of mercy to intercede before Christ that we receive forgiveness, for you have fought the good fight and you gave their lives in God’s hands, as martyr in His name! Amen.