Life and Akathist of Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon,

whose Holy Relics are worshiped in our church

During the reign of the pagan Maximian, the terrible worker of the Christians, everyone was covered with the darkness of the pagan worship of idols. Then great persecution was made everywhere over those who believed in Christ. So many confessors of the holy name of Jesus Christ were killed. Between them he suffered for Christ and the great Saint Martyr Pantelimon, from the city of Nicomedia, which is in the parts of Bithynia. This glory between the martyrs and the patient of Christ’s torment, was born in the city of Nicomedia, from a good, honest and wealthy father, by the name of Evstorghie and his mother, Euvula.

His father was a pagan believer, warmly devoting himself to the worship of idols, and his mother was a Christian, learning from his ancestors the holy faith and ministering to Christ. So, being accompanied by their bodies, they were separated by the spirit, he sacrificed to the lying gods, and she offered sacrifices of praise to the true God. And giving birth to this baby, of which the word is ours, they called him Pantoleon, who translates “altogether as a lion,” as the one who was to be with man like a lion, but later was called Pantelimon, that is to say “in all mercy,” because everyone was shown to be merciful, when he healed the sick without payment, and the poor pityed him, sharing with patience the parental possessions of those in need.

So being still a child, his mother was growing in good Christian faith, teaching him to know the One and true God, who is in heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ; to please Him with good things, to believe in the Isle, and to deviate from the worship of the idols of the many. So the child listened to his mother’s teaching and knew in part as much as he could understand in his childhood years. But, oh, what a loss and loss! His good mother and teacher went to the Lord from a young age, leaving the unborn child still in perfect age and understanding. And after the end of it, the child was easy going after his father’s wandering, often being led to idols and learning about their sinfulness.

So the baby was given first to the grammar school and, after growing up in the Greek books and learning all the philosophy outside, his father gave him the doctoral craft, to some Euphrosin, a glorified doctor, to become acquainted with that craft. And the child, being clever in his mind, learned all with ease and rather outdid those of an age with him, almost resembling his teacher. And he was usually good, well-mannered, handsome in the face, loved by all, and known to the emperor Maximian himself; because at that time Maximian lived in Nicomidia, tormenting Christians, and at the feast of the Birth of Christ, he burned in the church twenty thousand thousands of martyrs (their Remembrance on December 28th), and on St. Antimus (His Remembrance on September 3rd) the bishop and many others killed him with various torments.

And Euphrosin the doctor often went to the tormentor, the royal palaces, and to his people for cures, because that doctor was giving cures to the whole royal court. And when he went to the palace, he went with the child and the child Pantoleon, and all, when they saw him, marveled at his beauty and his understanding. So, seeing the emperor, he asked where he was and whose son he was, and finding out about him, the emperor commanded the teacher to teach the child well all the doctoral craft, wishing that he would always have him beside him. , as a worthy man to stand before the king and minister to him.

At that time, there was in Nicomidia an old priest, by the name of Ermolae, who, for fear of the heathen, was hiding with a few Christians in a somewhat small and unknown house. And Pantoleon, going from his house to his teacher, was the path next to that little house where St. Ermolae was hiding. So when he saw the young man passing through the window often, he knew from the face and sight of his good ship, and knowing with the spirit that he would be God’s chosen vessel, he left the house before the young man, who was just passing by. there, and asked him to enter his house a little. And the young man, being humble and obedient, entered the old man’s house, and, putting him near him, asked him about the nation, his parents, his faith, and his whole life.

And the young man, telling all the details in detail, told him that his mother was a Christian and died, and his father lives by the Greek laws, worshiping the gods. Then Saint Ermolae asked the man, saying, “But you, son, what part and faith do you want to be? Of the faith of your father or of your mother? “The young man replied:” My mother, while she was living, taught me her faith, and I loved her faith. But my father, like the strongest, compels me to the Greek laws and wants to I am ordained in the royal palaces, that is, in the ranks of those close by, of the boyars and the emperor’s servants. ” The saint asked again, “What kind of teaching does your teacher teach you?” The young man replied, “The teaching of Asclipia, of Hippocrates and Galen, because my father so wishes. But my teacher also says that you do.” teach those teachings, I will be able, with ease, to cure all human diseases. “

Then Saint Ermolae, taking the useful word into account, began to sow in the heart of the young man, as in good soil, the good seed of the words of God. So he said, “Believe me, good young man, that the teachings and crafts of Asclipius, Hippocrates, and Galen are small, and can help those who work with them a little. Still, the gods, whom Emperor Maximian, your father and the other Elines, honor, are deserted, being tales and deceptions of the low-minded. And the true and Almighty God is the One Jesus Christ, in whom you will believe, then only by the call of His Most High name will you be able to cure all diseases. Because that blind person illuminated, the lepers cleansed, the dead gave life, and the devils who are honored by the elves, drove them away from people with one word.

But not only Christ alone, but His clothes also were healing. Because a woman, being ill with the blood flow for 2 years, only touched the edge of His clothes, as soon as she was cured. But who can say in detail all His wonderful things? For as it is not possible to count the stars of heaven, the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, so the miracles and magnifications of God cannot be said. He is also a great helper to His servants, who comforts the afflicted, heals the sick, rescues them from danger, and removes all the wicked evils, waiting for someone to pray; but before encountering prayer and even starting the heart. He gives those who love Him the power to do some of these, yet He gives them even greater powers of wonders, and in the end He gives them perfect life without end, in the eternal glory of the kingdom of heaven. “

Words like these were listening to Pantoleon, he believed them to be true, and, hiding them in his heart, sweetly delved into them with his mind, saying to the old saint: “I have often heard from my mother. and I often saw her praying and calling on that God you are talking about. “So from that day on, Pantoleon passed the old man every day and sweetened his words inspired by God, taking care of him. the knowledge of the true God. And when he returned from the Euphrosine teacher, he did not go to his house, until he first searched for old Ermolae, from whom he received words useful to the soul.

And it happened to him once that, starting from the teacher and going a little way, he found a dead baby, bitten by a large viper, and on that viper lying near the dead. Seeing this Pantoleon, at first he was afraid and moved away a little, but then he thought to himself, saying, “Now it is up to me to try to find out if the words spoken by old Ermolae are true.” He said, “Lord Jesus Christ, at least I am not worthy to call you, but you want me to be your servant, show you your power, and cause, in your name, this baby to rise and the viper to die.” Then immediately, the baby waking as if from sleep, got up, and the viper split in two and was dead. So Pantoleon, seeing this wonder, believed fully in Christ, raised his bodily and soulful eyes to heaven, and blessed God with joy and tears, thanking him that he had brought him out of the darkness and brought him to light. of His knowledge.

Then immediately, running to Saint Ermolae, the priest fell to his right feet, asking for the Baptism and telling him what had happened to him, that is, how he resurrected the dead baby, with the power of the name of Jesus Christ and how he the viper who carried the dead died. And rising up, Saint Ermolae went with him to see the murdered viper, and, seeing it, thanked God for the miracle he had done, and by which he brought Pantoleon to his knowledge. Then, returning home, he baptized the young man in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and, by performing the Holy Liturgy in his innermost chamber, shared it with the divine gods, with the Body and Blood of Christ.

After receiving the Baptism, Pantoleon spent near the old Ermolae seven days, learning the divine words that were spoken through his mouth. So sheltering himself from a living spring, he prepared his soul for the beautification of the spiritual fruits with the gift of Christ. And on the eighth day, when he returned home, his father said to him, “Son, where have you been for so many days, that I have been in great care for you?” The saint replied: “I was with the teacher in the royal palaces. healed a sick man beloved of the king, and seven days we did not depart from him, until we made him healthy. ” This was said by the saint, not as if he were lying, but as a parable, by which he told the truth in secret, for in his mind he called the priest the Holy Ermolae the priest, royal palaces called the innermost chamber, in which the they have performed the mysteries of Thee; and the sick man named his beloved soul to the heavenly Emperor, who was healed in seven days by the spiritual doctrine.

And the next day, when he went to the Euphrosine teacher, he was asked, “Where have you been so many days?” He replied, “My father bought a property, sent me there to take it, and I paused, researching well. all that are there, because it was bought at a great price. ” This he told her in a clear manner for the Holy Baptism, which he had received, and for notifying the other mysteries of the Christian faith, which are priceless treasures, overwhelming all riches, because they were bought with the Blood of Christ. Hearing this Euphrosin, he stopped asking.

And the happy Pantoleon was filled with the gift of God, carrying within the treasure of the holy faith. And he cared very much for his father, how he could take him out of the darkness of idol worship and bring him to the light of Christ’s knowledge. For this reason, he spoke to him with wise words every day and asked him questions, saying, “Father, why do the gods who stand still remain to this day as they are set from the beginning, and never sit down; and those made sitting on the chair, sit to this day and never get up? “And the father replied,” Son, this question is difficult and I cannot answer it. “

And the saint always asking his father and other questions, like this one, made him to doubt his gods and to know gradually the deception and wandering of idol worship. So his father ceased to honor idols, as he had honored them before, when he offered them sacrifices and worshiped them every day, and began to break them and not to worship them. And when Pantoleon saw this, he was glad that he had at least succeeded in making his father doubt the gods, though he had not turned them away from them. And he would oftentimes break down the idols of his father, which were many in their house, but stopped, on the one hand, so as not to anger his father, whom the decree of God commanded, and on the other, he wanted to wait until his father alone knew the true God, and he alone would crush them with his hands.

At that time, they brought to Pantoleon a blind man who demanded healing and said, “Pray, have mercy on me, who do not see the sweet light; for all the doctors of this city despised me, and brought me no profit; and even the last sight of what I had, they took me with all my wealth, for I spent much on the people, but I took more injury and damage than healing. “And the saint said:” If you gave all your fortune to those doctors you had no use for, then you will receive healing from me and see, what will you give me? ” The blind man answered, “The last remnant that I have, I will give you with boldness.” The saint said: “The gift of seeing the light will give you the Father of lights, the true God, through me, the unworthy His servant And you, what you promise me, don’t give it to me, but divide it with the poor. “

Hearing this, Evstorghie, the father of Pantoleon, said to him: “Son, do not dare to touch what you cannot do, lest you make yourself laugh! For what can you do more than the great doctors, who have despised him and have not been able to heal him? “The saint replied:” None of those doctors knows how to put this man that way. of doctorate, which I put, because there is a great difference between the teachers and my teacher, who taught me this “.

And his father, reckoning that he was talking about Professor Euphrosin, said, “I heard that your teacher took care of this blind man, but nothing increased.” Pantoleon replied: “Wait a little, father, and you will see the power of my doctorate. ” Saying this, he touched the finger of the blind man, saying, “In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, who has enlightened the blind, seek and see!” Then immediately the eyes of the blind man were opened and he saw. , the father of Pantoleon, believed in Christ, together with the man who saw and were baptized by St. Ermolae, the priest, and from that moment they were filled with great spiritual joy for the gift and power of Christ.

Then Evstorghie began to crush all the idols that were in his house, and his son, Saint Pantoleon, helped with that, and crushed them, threw them into a deep pit and covered them with earth. After that, Evstorghie lived for a little while, moved to the Lord. So Pantoleon, remaining heir to the parental wealth of the too rich, at once gave liberty to his servants and maids, giving them many gifts, and the wealth began to divide it to those who needed it: the poor, the poor, the widows and the poor. And he surrounded the prisons, searching for all those who were suffering in connection, whom he comforted with the doctors and the duties of the needy. And he was a doctor, not only of wounds, but also of human poverty, for all received from him abundant mercy, and with his mercies the poor became rich. And in healing he offered the gift of God to him, for he had been given from above the gift of healing, and not so much the healing with the doctors bought, as with the calling of the name of Jesus Christ.

Then Pantoleon was shown to be Pantelimon, meaning “in all mercy,” by appointment and deed, showing all mercy and letting no one leave the unharmed. For to the poor he gave free gifts, and he healed the sick. Then she returned to the whole city with her patients, leaving all the doctors, because no one was earning so fast and perfect healing, as they had gained from Pantelimon, who cured by deed and did not take payment from anyone. So the name of the most gracious and unpaid doctor was glorified in all the people, and the other doctors were defamed and laughed at. Because of this, much hatred and spell arose from the doctors against the saint, since that time when the above-mentioned blindness was healed. And it started like this:

On one of the days when the blind man healed by Saint Pantelimon was walking through the city, the doctors saw him and said to himself, “Isn’t this the one who was blind and demanded of us healing and I could not to cure his eyes? So how do he see now? “And they asked him how he could see. And that man did not hide his doctor, Saint Pantelimon. And those doctors, knowing about him that he was a disciple of Euphrosin, said:” Great is the disciple of the great teacher”. But they did not know the power of Christ, who was working through Pantelimon. So, not knowing, they testified to the truth, that Pantelimon is the great disciple of the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ. But, though with their mouths they praised the saint with zeal, but in their hearts, out of pity, they counseled evil and inclined him, seeking reasons against him, how he might lose him.

Then, seeing him enter the prison and heal the wounds of the bound, who were suffering for Christ, they approached Maximian the tormentor and said, “Emperor, the young man whom you commanded to learn all the doctoral craft, wanting to have him in your palaces, the one who defames your mercy towards him, investigates the prisons by curing the harassing prisons of our gods, counting them with the gods, against the gods, and leading others to the same evil thought. So if you will not lose him in the least, then not a little sorrow you will have, because many will see them turning from the gods, through his deceitful teaching; that the doctoral craft he has and the healing he does, does not count them as those of Asclipius or any other god, but of some Christ, and so all who are healed believe in him. ”

The worshipers said this, they asked the emperor to order the blind man to be healed by Pantoleon, in order to trust the said. And immediately the king commanded to seek the blind man that was healed. And being brought before the king, they said to him, “Tell, man, how did Pantoleon heal your eyes?” And he answered, “He called the name of Christ, and he touched my eyes, and I saw immediately!” The emperor said to him, “But how do you count? Did Christ heal you or the gods? “He replied:” These emperors, the doctors you see standing before you, have spent much diligence and time for my healing. They took all my wealth and they did not take me. they brought no benefit. On the contrary, and as little sight as I had, they took me; so they blinded me completely. And Pantelimon, only with the call of the name of Christ, made me see. O king, count you alone and see, which doctor is better and more true? Did Asclipia with the other gods, who had been called for a long time and could not help anything, or Christ, who was once called by Pantelimon, immediately healed? ”

And the emperor, not knowing what to answer to this, began to sill at the pagan custom, saying, “Man, do not be deceived, nor mention Christ, for it is proved that the gods have given you sight to the eyes! “And the healed, having no fear of the royal power, nor afraid of the dread of the tormentors, answered Maximian more boldly than the blind man of the Gospel, who had been questioned before the Pharisees:” O king, thou thyself. you are crazy, you call the gods the blind givers of light, because you, like them, do not want to see the truth! ” And the king, being filled with wrath, commanded that he should be slain with the sword at once. And having cut off the head of the good confessor of the name of Jesus Christ, he went to see face to face, in the incessant heavenly light, the One who confessed on earth. And St. Pantelimon, redeeming his body from the killers, buried him near his father.

After that, the emperor ordered Pantoleon to call in with him. And when the soldiers brought the king to the king, he sang the words of David: God, my praise is not in silence. That the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the wicked one opened on me … So he stood with his body before the earthly emperor, and with his mind stood before the heavenly Emperor. And the emperor Maximian, looking towards him without anger, began to speak gently to him, saying: “0, Pantoleoane, what I have heard from you is not good. Some say that you harass and slander Asclepius and the other gods, and the crucified Christ, Who died evil, glorify Him, trust in Him, and call Him God. But you do not know how much care I had with you and how much mercy I showed you, that I also received you in my palaces and I ordered your teacher, Euphrosin, to teach you all the doctoral craft so that you will always be next to me? And you, by defaming all this, have deviated from the wrong ones. but I do not believe the wrong things about you, because people have become accustomed to saying many unrighteous things. That is why I have called you to speak the truth alone and to show the luster of the Zavistniks lying to you, offering sacrifices to the gods of the great, before all, as it is. “

The saint replied: “O king, one must believe the facts more than the words, because not so much in words as in things the truth is known. Believe the words you hear from me, that I reject Asclipius and your other gods, and I glorify Christ; because of His deeds I have known, that He is the only true God. But listen at least to the deeds of Christ. He made the heavens, he strengthened the earth, he raised the dead, he illuminated the blind, he cleansed the lepers, he raised up the weak from the word. But the gods who honor you, what have they done this way? Can they do something? And you will know the all-powerful power of Jesus Christ, as soon as you see this with the deed. He commands here to bring a sick person to death, lying in the bed of pain, despaired by doctors. Let your idolatrous servants also come, and call upon their gods, and I will call on my God; and that God will heal the sick, that one may confess that he is a true God, and that others may be rejected. ”

And the king liked this advice of the saint. So he ordered that he immediately look for a patient like that. And there was brought to the bed a feeble man of many years, who was not a workman with all his members, just like a timber. Then came the idolatrous ministers who were skilled in the doctoral craft and told the saint to first call his Christ. And the saint said to them, “If I call on my God and you will cure this weak man, then your gods whom will they cure? Call your gods first, and they will cure the sick, and then I will no longer have to call on my God! ”

So the people began to call their gods, one on Asclipie, another on Die, another on Artemida, others on other devils. But there was neither voice nor obedience. So, much in their prayers of God’s hatred, nothing increased. And the saint, seeing their weariness, laughed. And the emperor, seeing him laughing, said, “Pantoleons, make this man healthy, if you can, by calling on your God.” The saint said, “Let the idolatrous servants go!”

And as they departed, the saint approached the bed, and lifting his eyes to heaven, he began to pray, saying, “Lord, hear my prayer and my cry to You. Thou shalt not turn thy face away from thy servant. Whenever I trouble myself, let your ear go to me. Whenever I call you, you will hear me, and show those who do not know Thee your mighty strength, for all are possible to You! “So the saint prayed, took the weak man by the hand, saying to him : “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise and be healthy!” And as soon as the weak man rose up, he became healthy with all his flesh, and walked, rejoicing; then, taking his bed, he took him to his house.Seeing this wonder many of those who stood by, believed in Christ. And the idolatrous servants gritted their teeth against the servant of Christ and said to the king, “If he be alive, the sacrifices of the gods will be fruitless, and we will laugh at the Christians!” So, emperor, lose him in disgrace. “And the king said to the saint,” Sacrifice the gods, Pantolones, lest you perish in the wilderness! Do you not know how many perished by disobeying our commandment and being rejected by our gods? you just didn’t know how terrible the old Antim was working? ” The saint replied: “All who died for Christ did not perish, but are in eternal life. And if Antim, being old and powerless with the body, could endure the terrible works for our Lord, all the more I, who are younger and stronger with the body than he, it seems to me that without fear I will suffer all the works. what are you going to put on me. Because I did not die for Christ, I consider it a loss, and to die for Him is my interest. “

Then the emperor commanded him to hang him naked at work, to crush his body with iron nails and with burning candles to burn his ribs. And when he had suffered these things, he looked up to heaven, and said, Lord Jesus Christ, be with me this hour, and give me patience, that I may suffer the works of the heathen unto the end. the face of the priest Ermolae and said to him: “Do not be afraid! I am with you!” And immediately the hands of the servants that ministered unto him were weakened, and they became as dead; the work tools fell out of their hands, and the candles went out.

Seeing the emperor, he commanded the martyr to come down from work, and said to him, “What is the power of your spell, that the servants also have weakened and their candles are extinguished?” it is Christ, of whose almighty power all do them. ” The emperor said, “What will you do if I put greater work on you?” The martyr replied: “In the greater works, my Christ will show greater power, giving me greater patience for your shame.” I, with greater patience for the work of God, will receive from Him greater rewards. ”

Then the tormentor commanded to boil lead in a large iron cauldron and throw the martyr. So, boiling the lead and bringing the martyr to the boil, he raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying, Lord, my voice, when I pray to Thee. It takes my soul from the fear of the enemy. Cover me with the assembly of the wicked and the multitude of those who work iniquity. Thus he prayed, and the Lord appeared again to him in the form of Ermolae, and, taking him by the hand, he entered into the cauldron. Then immediately the fire was extinguished, the lead cooled, and the martyr sang, saying, I cried to God, and the Lord heard me. In the evening, in the morning and in the middle of the day, tell me and I will tell him and He will hear my voice.

So those who stood by were astonished at what had been done, and the king said, “What is this, that the fire is extinguished and the lead is cooled? So what kind of work will we work on this sorcerer? “And those who were present said,” Let it sink into the depths of the sea, and it will soon perish, because it will not be able to enchant the sea. ” And he ordered the tormentor to do so. So the servants, taking the martyr, took him to the sea and put him in a pan, tying a large stone to the lump. Then, taking him away from the shore, they threw him into the sea, and they returned alone to the shore. And when the saint was cast into the sea, Christ appeared again to him, as before, in the image of Ermolae, and the stone from the martyrs’ meadows became as light as a leaf, which floated above the water, and the martyr walked with the dance as on dry, carried on the right hand of Christ, as Peter once did. So he went out to the shore, singing and praising God, and stood before the king. And the emperor, marveling at such a great miracle, said, “Pantoleons, what is the power of your spells, that the sea also has enchanted you?” ” The Emperor said, “Are you in pain even over the sea?” The saint replied, “Not me, but my Christ, the Builder and the Master have all the seen and unseen creatures. the sea; for in the sea are His ways and His paths in many waters.”

Afterwards, the tormentor ordered a great sight to be prepared outside the city, to give the martyr for food to the beasts. So the whole city ran to that view, wanting to see how the handsome and innocent young man was to be eaten by beasts. And when the king went to that sight and brought the martyr, he showed him the beasts with his finger, saying to him, “These are prepared for you. So listen to me and spare your young people; give mercy to the beauties of your body and sacrifice to the gods, lest your death be terrible, being eaten by the teeth of the beasts. ” But the saint wanted better to be eaten by the beasts than to hear such a cunning advice and command.

So they cast him into the wild beasts, but the Lord, appearing there to the saint in the likeness of the priest Ermolae, closed the mouths of the beasts, and made them gentle like lambs. And running those to the saint, they licked his feet, and he stroked them with his hand on his head. And each beast was striving to be under the hand of the saint, pushing one another. And the people who were looking at that miracle wondered and shouted: “Great is the God of Christians! Slobod be innocent and young right “.

Then the emperor, filled with anger, set out with the swords drawn against those who glorified the Savior of Christ, and, killing many of the people, of those who believed in God, commanded to kill all the beasts. And the martyr, seeing this, cried out, saying, “Glory to thee, Christ God, that not only men, but beasts also die for thee!” And the king departed from his sight, and mourned and was wroth, and the martyr. he threw him back into the dungeon.

After that, the people killed were taken by theirs and buried, and the beasts left them to eat the dogs and the birds eating bodies. But with those there was also a wonder, because the beasts, lying many days, were not touched by dogs or birds, and their bodies did not stink. So the emperor, finding this out, ordered them to cast them into a deep pit and cover them with earth. And for the martyr, he ordered a frightening wheel, full of sharp beasts. When this was done, they bound the saint and began to turn him around. But immediately the wheel, with unseen power, broke in pieces, injuring many of those who were around; and the martyr went down whole and unharmed. So he feared all for such miracles as those through which God glorified Him through His holy.

Seeing the emperor, he was greatly surprised and said to the martyr, “Who taught you to make so many charms?” The saint replied: “It is not charms, but the true Christian faith I was taught by St. Ermolae, the priest!” The emperor asked him, “Where is your teacher, Ermolae, that we would like to see him?” you. ” So the saint was freed with three soldiers, who were guarding him, to summon Ermolae the priest.

And as the martyr went to the house where the priest, old Ermolae, saw him, he said to him, “Son, why have you come?” The martyr replied, “Father, the king calls you!” The old man said, “Welcome to call me, because the time of my suffering and death has come. Because tonight the Lord showed me, saying to me, “Ermolae, you have a great passion for me, as my servant Pantelimon also suffered.” “The old man said this, he went with the martyr, rejoicing and he stood before the king. And seeing the king the priest, he asked him by name. And he kept not his name or faith, but answered with a loud voice that he was a Christian. And the king asked him, saying: anyone with you of the same faith? ” The old man replied: “I have two servants, true servants of Christ, on Ermip and Ermocrat.”

So he commanded the king to bring those before him; and he said to those three servants of Christ, “Have ye turned the Pantheon from our gods?” The saints answered, “Only Christ our God, whom he is worthy to know, calls unto Him, removing them from the darkness. idolatry worship in the light of His knowledge. ” the king said to the Gentiles, “Now leave your lying words and turn the Pantheon back to the gods, that your first guilt may be forgiven and your honor bestowed upon me, and you will be my first friends in my palaces. “The saints answered,” How can we do such a thing, if we ourselves want to die together with it for Christ our God? So neither we nor we will reject Christ nor offer sacrifices. to the idols of the deaf and breathless. ”

Saying this, they turned their minds to God and began to pray, lifting their eyes to heaven. Then the Savior was shown to them from above and immediately that place was shaken. And the king said, Have ye seen that the gods, when they were wroth with you, trembled the earth? they have broken in pieces with the power of our God, who has provoked you to anger. ” Speaking of these, a proclaimer ran from the robes to the emperor, telling them that all their gods had fallen to the ground and scattered like dust. But the foolish king said that all these are not of the power of God, but they are a Christian spell. So he said, “If we do not lose these sorcerers, then the whole city will perish for the wicked.”

So he ordered Pantelimon to be taken into custody, and old Ermolae and his two friends, working with many wounds, sentenced him to sword-cutting. Thus, these three Mycenaean saints – Ermolae the priest and his servants, Ermip and Ermocrat – fulfilling their passionate need, stood together before the Most Holy Trinity, in heavenly glory.

After the killing of the three martyrs, the emperor again placed Saint Pantelimon before him and said to him, “I have turned many from Christ to our gods, only you do not want to listen to me. Now your teacher, Ermolae, with both of his friends, worshiped the gods and offered them sacrifice, and I honored the governors in my palaces. So do you also, that you may be honored with the Gentiles. “And the martyr, knowing with the spirit of the end of the saints, said to the king,” Command them to come and see them before you. ” The emperor said, “I am not here now, that I have sent him to another city, to receive much wealth.” The merchant said, “Behold, even though you did not tell the truth, you sent them from here, through the end. and they went to the heavenly fortress of Christ to take the riches that the eye did not see. “

So seeing the emperor on the martyr’s side that he did not go with any form to their sinfulness, he commanded him to be beaten with severe beatings, then sentenced to death, to cut off his head with the sword, and his body to burn with fire. So taking the soldiers, they took him out of the fortress, to cut. And the saint dying, sang the psalm of David: Many times they have fought with me from my youth, but they have not overcome me. Behind me sinners worked! And the other part of his psalm.

And taking the soldiers on the martyr from the city beyond a stage, when they went to the place where the Lord wanted His servant to end, they tied him to an olive tree that was there, and the horse, approaching, struck the saint. with the sword over grumaji, but the iron bent like wax, and the saint’s body was not injured, because he had not finished his prayers. Then the soldiers, being frightened, said, “Great is the God of Christians …!” Then, falling at the feet of the Saint, they said: “Pray to us, servant of God, pray for us, that he may forgive us our sins, how much I have done unto thee from the king’s commandment. “

And praying St. Pantelimon enough, a loud voice came to him, reinforcing the change of his name, for the Lord called him Pantelimon, instead of Pantoleon, giving him his gift, and showing mercy to all who run to. him in all the dangers and sorrows. And the Lord called him to the heavenly, and the saint, being filled with joy, commanded the soldiers to cut him down. But they did not want to, because they were afraid and trembling. Then the saint said to them, “If you will not do your commandment, you will not gain mercy from my Christ!” So the soldiers, approaching, first kissed his body, then commanded one of them and commanded cut off the martyr’s head, but instead of blood, he ran milk.

At the same hour, the olive tree was filled with its fruit, from the root to the top, and the multitude of people who were present at the cutting, seeing this, believed in Christ. And the miracles that were done told the king, and the king commanded, that he should immediately cut that olive, and break it, and burn it with the body of the martyr. And when the fire was extinguished, the believers took from the ashes the body of the saint, unharmed by fire, and buried with honor the estate of Adamantie Scholastic, who was there near. And Lavrentie, Vasoi and Provian, the housewives of the martyr, following him from a distance, looking at all his afflictions and hearing the voice that came to him from heaven, wrote down his life and martyrdom and gave it to the holy churches in memory of the martyr, for the benefit of those who read and hear, and for the glory of Christ our God, the One glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Akathist to Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

Beginning prayers:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Kontakion 1

Chosen passion-bearer of Christ and gracious healer, who freely grants healing to the sick, we praise you in songs as our protector. As you have boldness with the Lord, free us from all harm and sickness who cry with love to you: Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Ikos 1

We know you, glorious Panteleimon, as an earthly angel and a heavenly man. For adorned with angelic purity and martyrdom you have passed from earth to Heaven, where with angels and all the saints standing before the throne of the Lord of Glory, you pray for all of us on earth who venerate you with these invocations:

Rejoice, torch of piety!

Rejoice, most glorious lamp of the Church!

Rejoice, adornment of venerable martyrs!

Rejoice, support of the faithful in fearless endurance!

Rejoice, outstanding boast of youth!

Rejoice, warrior of Christ of invincible courage!

Rejoice, you who having grown up in the world were not of the world!

Rejoice, angel in the flesh, surpassing mortals!

Rejoice, all-blessed dweller in Heaven!

Rejoice, vessel of divine knowledge!

Rejoice, you by whom faith has been exalted!

Rejoice, you by whom delusion has been dethroned!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 2

Seeing you to be a chosen vessel, the Lord loved the beauty of your soul; for, despising all earthly glory and pleasure, you longed to adorn yourself with the crown of martyrdom, wounded with divine love and singing inspiringly: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Possessing divinely inspired knowledge, O valiant warrior Panteleimon, you astounded the Emperor Maximian by the courage of your soul and by the words with which you fearlessly preached Christ. Therefore, praising your boldness we say to you:

Rejoice, you who despised Maximian’s threats!

Rejoice, you who did not yield to the advice of the godless!

Rejoice, propagator of true adoration!

Rejoice, uprooter of demon worship!

Rejoice, accuser of the fury of the torturers!

Rejoice, overthrower of the delusion of idols!

Rejoice, you who dispersed the assembly of the godless!

Rejoice, you who exchanged corruptible for heavenly joy!

Rejoice, converser with immaterial angels!

Rejoice, fellow-chorister of long-suffering saints!

Rejoice, you by whom Satan was put to shame!

Rejoice, you by whom Christ is glorified!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 3

By the power of the Most High given to you and by your strong patience you rendered powerless the torturer’s insolence, O valiant victor, undaunted by fire, wild beasts, and the wheel. When beheaded with the sword, you received the crown of victory from Christ the Lord, crying to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

The monastery which has your precious head as a great treasure, O divinely wise martyr, is filled with joy over it, and praising with love the Grace of healing given you by God, thankfully cries to you:

Rejoice, all-radiant lamp of Nicomedia!

Rejoice, unsleeping guardian of the monastery that honors you!

Rejoice, you through whom godlessness grew cold!

Rejoice, you through whom the knowledge of God has increased!

Rejoice, bright glory of passion-bearers!

Rejoice, joyous report of the Orthodox!

Rejoice, gracious source of healings!

Rejoice, container of great gifts!

Rejoice, fragrant myrrh that sweetens souls!

Rejoice, for you help those who call upon you!

Rejoice, you who gave sight to the blind!

Rejoice, you who caused the lame to walk!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 4

Possessed by a storm of polytheistic thoughts, the impious Emperor was confused on learning from the doctors who were jealous of you that you heal all kinds of incurable illnesses by the name of Christ. And we, glorifying with gladness our wonderful God in you, cry to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

When the people of Nicomedia heard of your great compassion for the suffering and of your free healing of all illnesses, all rushed to you with faith in the healing Grace in you, and receiving swift healing of all their diseases they glorified God and magnified you, their most gracious healer, crying to you:

Rejoice, you who are anointed with the myrrh of Grace!

Rejoice, sanctified temple of God!

Rejoice, great glory of the pious!

Rejoice, firm wall of the oppressed!

Rejoice, you who surpass the wise in knowledge!

Rejoice, you who enlighten the thoughts of the faithful!

Rejoice, recipient of divine gifts and source of many of the Lord’s mercies to us!

Rejoice, speedy helper of the suffering!

Rejoice, harbor of the storm-tossed!

Rejoice, instructor for those astray!

Rejoice, you who heal the sick freely!

Rejoice, you who impart healing abundantly!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 5

The Lord worked a glorious miracle through you when, through His servant Hermolaos, He called you into His marvelous light. For after your prayer to Christ a child who had died from snakebite at once revived and stood up healed. Then recognizing the Lifegiver as the true God of all, with firm faith you cried to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

The blind man whom you touched with prayer in the name of Christ recovered his sight, O glorious Martyr. Then, renouncing your father’s polytheism, you were baptized by the priest Hermolaos and embraced your mother’s religion with which you also enlightened your father. Therefore we cry aloud to you as to a glorious servant of God and wonderful healer:

Rejoice, you who have great devotion to God!

Rejoice, you who are ever aflame with the fire of divine love!

Rejoice, attentive listener to the teachings of the priest Hermolaos!

Rejoice, you who followed the advice of your mother Eubule!

Rejoice, you who gave away everything to obtain Christ!

Rejoice, you who vanquished love for the world by love for God!

Rejoice, for instead of the pleasures of the world you accepted for Christ cruel sufferings!

Rejoice, for you became a partner of Christ’s Passion!

Rejoice, you who overcame all the passions!

Rejoice, you who through Grace were adorned with dispassion!

Rejoice, you who fill with joy those who hasten to you!

Rejoice, you who heal all freely by the Grace of Christ!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 6

The blind man enlightened by you in body and soul became a preacher of the truth for, like the blind man of the Gospel, he boldly preached Christ to all as the true light that enlightens every man. But for reproaching the impious Emperor and the pagan gods he was beheaded and rose to the unwaning light in Heaven to sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Standing before the Emperor’s tribunal with a radiant face you boldly declared in the hearing of all, thrice-blessed martyr: My all-healing power and glory is Christ, the true God, the Lord of all, Who raises the dead and heals all infirmities. For this confession we bless you and say:

Rejoice, thundering mouth of the deity of Christ!

Rejoice, melodious tongue that declares His plan of salvation!

Rejoice, orator of sublime theology!

Rejoice, wise sower of piety!

Rejoice, sweet-sounding flute of faith!

Rejoice, glorious preacher of Orthodoxy!

Rejoice, you who were shown to be marvelous before your death!

Rejoice, worker of wonders after your death!

Rejoice, seer of Christ’s glory!

Rejoice, listener of those who pray to you!

Rejoice, giver of help to those who need it!

Rejoice, obtainer of blessings for those who honor your memory!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 7

Myrrh was poured out on your soul, O divinely wise healer, from the Comforter Spirit, therefore after your death your venerable relics, by their fragrance banish the stench of passions and give healing to those who with faith cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

When the worshipers of idols beheld, O Saint, the paralyzed man raised and walking through your prayer many believed in Christ; but the demon’s priest, consumed with jealousy, incited the Emperor to anger. Therefore, to you who was mercilessly tortured and burnt for Christ, we cry with compunction:

Rejoice, you who despised earthly pleasures!

Rejoice, you who were above material comforts!

Rejoice, for you regarded as nothing all the beautiful things in this world!

Rejoice, for you shook yourself free of fleeting glory!

Rejoice, you who remained free from the nets of the devil!

Rejoice, you who vanquished the wiles of the torturers!

Rejoice, you who did not spare your life for Christ!

Rejoice, you who were shown to be an enemy of hostile flesh!

Rejoice, you who oppressed the spread of polytheism!

Rejoice, you who by the power of God defeated the idols!

Rejoice, sharp arrow by which enemies are wounded!

Rejoice, mediator who defends the faithful!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 8

The Lord appeared to you in a wonderful way, encouraging and upholding you in the tortures for His name. For in the person of the priest Hermolaos He cooled the boiling lead into which you were thrown, and in the sea He untied the great stone from your neck and brought you unharmed to land. But you, having been brought again before the Emperor, sang triumphantly to Christ our God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

While dwelling noetically wholly in Heaven, you do not leave those below on earth but remain with us through the relics of your holy skull, O great passion-bearer of Christ, receiving from the Lord enlightenment and sanctification and giving it to those who cry to you thus:

Rejoice, you who are filled with divine wisdom!

Rejoice, discerner of God’s providence!

Rejoice, delight of minds made wise by God!

Rejoice, gladness of souls who love God!

Rejoice, bright pearl of Christ!

Rejoice, you who were sanctified in soul and body!

Rejoice, dweller in the courts of the firstborn in Heaven!

Rejoice, inhabitant of the ever-blessed bridal halls!

Rejoice, beholder of the light of the Trinity!

Rejoice, fervent mediator in your prayers to God for us!

Rejoice, you who grant illumination to souls!

Rejoice, you who send comfort to the afflicted!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 9

All nature marveled, O Panteleimon, at the radiance of Grace and wealth of virtues in you: thine angelic purity, your great courage in cruel sufferings, your strong love for Christ and great compassion for people, for whom you do glorious things that they may sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Eloquent orators cannot worthily praise your struggles, O glorious victor, as by the invincible power of God, though young in years you conquered the ancient, primordial enemy and put to shame the delusion of idols. But we, filled with wonder, cry to you:

Rejoice, joyful sight of angels!

Rejoice, reverent wonder of men!

Rejoice, you who shed your blood for Christ, and in death shed milk!

Rejoice, you who gave up your body to a martyr’s death for His sake!

Rejoice, model of confession!

Rejoice, valiant warrior of the King of kings!

Rejoice, you who conquered the ruler of darkness!

Rejoice, you who by your victory gladdened Heaven and earth!

Rejoice, blessed inhabitant of the world above!

Rejoice, wise pilgrim of the world below!

Rejoice, tree adorned with the fruits of the gifts of Grace!

Rejoice, you who carry palms of victory!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 10

Filled with compassion, as a true imitator of the Lord, the Giver of mercy, O venerable martyr, you were renamed by Him Panteleimon (that is, all-merciful), for you pour mercy on all who resort to you; pour it also abundantly on us who cry to God concerning you: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Finding you a strong wall invulnerable to all kinds of torture, the torturer tried to crush your strength by the teeth of wild beast and the spikes of the torture-wheel, but all to no effect. For the power of Christ subdued the fierceness of the beasts and the frightful wheel, on which your body was turned, immediately broke to pieces. So to you, invincible passion-bearer, we cry:

Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ!

Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!

Rejoice, firm diamond of the Church!

Rejoice, unshakable tower reaching to Heaven!

Rejoice, tamer of visible beasts!

Rejoice, crusher of invisible dragons!

Rejoice, you who were stained with your blood shed for Christ, mixed with milk!

Rejoice, you who have received unfading crowns!

Rejoice, you who cause joy to angels and men!

Rejoice, you who have been glorified by God in Heaven and on earth!

Rejoice, celestial one, who sings in choir with the martyrs!

Rejoice, you who are satisfied with the sweet vision of Christ!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 11

A funeral song we offer to your sacred sacrifice for Christ, in which milk instead of blood flowed from you, Great Martyr, and the olive tree under which you were beheaded was all covered with healing fruit. Therefore we cry fervently to Christ Who wonderfully glorifies those who glorify Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

A luminous ray were you, O divinely wise one, to those sitting in the darkness of polytheism, leading them to the Sun or righteousness, Christ God. Him do you entreat that we who offer you these glad praises may ever live in the light of His commandments:

Rejoice, bright star, shining in the noetical firmament!

Rejoice, ray of light shining for Christian people!

Rejoice, you who were mystically illumined by the Sun, Christ!

Rejoice, you who in spirit roam the earth!

Rejoice, beautiful tabernacle of the Most Holy Spirit!

Rejoice, honorable vessel that pours out healing!

Rejoice, treasury of purity!

Rejoice, namesake of mercy!

Rejoice, heir of the Heavenly Kingdom!

Rejoice, partaker of eternal glory!

Rejoice, patron of those in distress on the sea of life!

Rejoice, unmercenary healer who helps those who invoke you with faith!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 12

You received an abundance of Grace, thrice-blessed one, according to the greatness of your love for Christ God, Who also showed you to be a source of healing, for you cure free of charge the sicknesses of soul and body of those who come to you with faith and cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Chanting of your long-suffering labors for Christ, O glorious passion-bearer, we praise your great patience, we bless your martyr’s death, and we honor your holy memory, O our defender and healer, and in praise we cry to you:

Rejoice, sweet-sounding trumpet of piety!

Rejoice, sword which cuts down impiety!

Rejoice, you who were scraped on a tree for Him Who stretched out His arms on the tree of the Cross!

Rejoice, for, being burnt for Him, you extinguished the furnace of delusion!

Rejoice, you who wounded the enemies by your wounds!

Rejoice, you who dried the streams of idolatrous blood by your blood!

Rejoice, you who were thrown into boiling lead for Christ!

Rejoice, you who were sunk in the sea for His name!

Rejoice, you who remained unharmed therein by the providence of God!

Rejoice, you who passed through tortures of fire and water into the peace of Heaven!

Rejoice, you who poured unfailing streams of mercy on the faithful!

Rejoice, gracious and compassionate physician who grants healing through Grace!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 13

O, our long-suffering and wonderful Passion-bearer of Christ and Healer Panteleimon! Graciously accept from us this small offering, heal us of our many and various ailments, and through your intercession protect us from enemies visible and invisible and pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from eternal torment, that we may continually sing in His Kingdom: Alleluia! (thrice)

Ikos 1 (repeated)

Rejoice, torch of piety!

Rejoice, most glorious lamp of the Church!

Rejoice, adornment of venerable martyrs!

Rejoice, support of the faithful in unflinching endurance!

Rejoice, outstanding boast of youth!

Rejoice, warrior of Christ of invincible courage!

Rejoice, you who having grown up in the world were not of the world!

Rejoice, angel in the flesh, surpassing mortals!

Rejoice, all-blessed dweller in Heaven!

Rejoice, vessel of divine knowledge!

Rejoice, you by whom faith has been exalted!

Rejoice, you by whom delusion has been dethroned!

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 1 (repeated)

Prayer to St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary

Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, thou imitator of God’s mercy! Look down in thy loving kindness and hearken unto us, sinners, who offer heartfelt prayers before thy holy icon. Ask for us from the Lord God, before Whom the Angels stand in heaven, remission of our sins and transgressions. Heal the ills of body and soul of the servants of God whom we here commemorate, who are here present, and of all Orthodox Christians who seek thy help. For behold, we, who because of our sins are possessed by bitter ills and have no help or consolation, yet flee to thee for refuge, since thou hast been given Grace to pray for us and to heal every ill and every disease. Grant, therefore, to all of us, by thy holy prayers, health and strength of soul and body, a good growth in the Faith and in devotion, and all that is needful unto this temporal life and unto our salvation: So that, having been granted great and rich mercy thorugh thee, we may glorify thee and Him that bestoweth all good things, our God Who is wondrous in His Saints, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.