Icon of Panteleimon the healer: meaning, what it helps with

Memory: July 27 according to Art. Art.; or August 9 according to the new one

The significance of the Icon of Panteleimon the Healer for believers is difficult to overestimate. Asking the question: How does it help? Hear the answer: In everything. These are not empty words; during his lifetime, there were no incurable diseases for the Saint. Having lost everything on earth early, he gained the eternal Glory of a doctor who works miracles to this day.

Note: Pantoleon (translated as “a lion in everything”) was named by his parents. Panteleimon (i.e., “all-merciful”) - named by Saint Hermolai after baptism.

Pantoleon is a lion in everything

In the first centuries, despite the threat of death, there were more and more believers in Christ. Often this was served by miracles performed by saints. During the reign of the persecutor of Christians, Maximian (III-IV centuries), in the city of Nicomedia (now the territory of Turkey), one was born who would reveal the Truth to many pagans.

• Young, handsome, brave;
• having higher education;
• possessing wealth;
• occupying a high position in society, became a beloved Russian saint, a doctor from God.

Sympathy for suffering revealed the gift of miracles—daring healing in the Name of the Lord. Pantoleon became a bold confessor of Orthodoxy, leading many people to the faith. Many, due to delusions, preferred martyrdom. The doctor himself became a Christian thanks to an amazing incident.

A miracle led to faith

Pantoleon's mother, who professed Christ, left her child half-orphaned early. My father adhered to pagan views. Being very wealthy, he decided to arrange a brilliant career for the youth, training him as an employee at the court and a very famous physician, Euphrosyne. Having successfully mastered the art of healing, the young man served the teacher in the palace, where he went every day.

The road ran past the house where three elders who survived the burning of 20 thousand Christians (303) were hiding. It was they who drew attention to Pantoleon, seeing in him the future torch of the confessor of Christ. They are subsequently executed together by having their heads cut off. Names of Panteleimon's mentors:

• Elder Ermolai - he taught and baptized the young man. The Lord appeared to Panteleimon in the image of this saint several times, strengthening him and giving him strength to endure the torment;
• Hermippius;
• Ermocrates.

They invited a doctor to visit and talked about faith. The young man was imbued with the teaching, still remembering his mother’s instructions, but was in no hurry to make a final choice. Once, while walking down the street, I saw the death of a child from an echidna bite. Having grieved in his heart, he remembered Christ: he prayed, expecting a miracle. I decided for myself: if the child is resurrected, he will be baptized. And so it happened, and the snake was torn into two parts. The last doubts disappeared, the young man became a Christian without hesitation.

God's Healing Word

The life of the saint tells us a curious incident that preceded his baptism and finally confirmed the young man in this intention. One day he witnessed the death of a child bitten by a snake. Wanting to verify in practice the omnipotence of God, Panteleimon appealed to the Almighty, and was heard. The Lord raised the dead man, and killed the reptile in front of everyone. This incident clearly demonstrated the truth of the new faith.

Having received holy baptism, Saint Panteleimon dedicated his life to all those suffering from illnesses. To heal them, he had two reliable means - the Word of God and the knowledge gained during his years of study. One day his pagan father saw how his son, calling on the name of the Lord, restored sight to a blind man. Such clear proof of the omnipotence of God shocked him - he, having forever broken with his previous errors, became a Christian.

Martyrdom of Panteleimon the Healer

After the arrest, Maximian persuaded, exhorted, threatened, but could not “bring some sense” to the young man. Before his eyes, Panteleimon healed the paralytic in the Name of Christ, which infuriated the pagan priests. The ruler ordered the doctor to be tortured. The Lord appeared to the prisoner and strengthened his faith before trials.

The torment endured by the saints:

• He was hung from a tree. Skin was torn off with iron hooks.
• The wounds burned with fire.
• They wheeled around, spinning the instrument of torture in order to tear the ligaments and joints of the bones. The sharp-spoked device shattered, killing several soldiers.
• They dipped him into tin, melted over a fire, but the red-hot mass froze without harming the martyr.
• They drowned him in the sea, tying a stone, but it became light. The saint walked on water as if on dry land.
• He was thrown to hungry lions to be torn to pieces in a circus, but they licked his hands.

The young man remained safe and sound, death from torture did not occur. Witnesses, seeing the Power of miracles that protect the tortured, were imbued with faith in such an Almighty Lord. Many, having confessed Christ as the True God before everyone, were killed.

Seeing that nothing can destroy the young man, Maximian orders his head to be cut off. But the execution increased the number of believers. People who witnessed miracles adopted Christianity.

Miracles of the Lord during the execution of the Saint

The executioners tied the martyr to an olive tree.
The saint prayed. The enraged guard wanted him to shut up. I wanted to hit, but the sword softened without causing any harm. At the end of the prayer, those present heard a Voice calling Panteleimon to Himself. Great horror fell upon everyone. They realized that in front of them was a saint of God. They believed in the truth of the teaching about Christ. Having fallen on their faces, the torturers did not want to participate in the execution of God's chosen one, deciding to die with him. But Panteleimon convinced them to carry out the ruler’s orders. To calm their fear and trembling, he blessed the deed, promising that it would be counted as good deeds. Only then, bowing before the Martyr, did they cut off his head.

Instead of blood, milk came out. In an instant, olive trees covered the entire tree, from the ground to the top. Oil is a sign of the Greatness of God's confessor. Having cut down the tree, they lit a large fire, in which they laid the Saint. When only ashes remained, they saw that the fire did not harm the body. Christians buried the miracle worker with respect.

The meaning of the icon of Panteleimon for believers

In Greece, on Mount Athos, there is a Russian monastery called St. Panteleimon's. The main shrine is preserved there - the Head of the Great Saint in the eyes of God. Most of the fragments are preserved in various churches of the Lot of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Churches all over the world have particles of the relics, treating people who come for healing, regardless of religious views.

Saint Panteleimon helps everyone

A large number of pilgrims and sufferers come to Nicomedia for the feast of the Saint (August 9). Not only Orthodox Christians come to Panteleimon. Even Muslims, people of different nationalities and religions honor him. Residents of the city organize a magnificent celebration. A religious procession is performed with the miraculous icon.

Everyone prays in front of the image and asks for healing: Greeks, Armenians, Italians, Turks. Some leave their signatures in a special journal, testifying to miraculous healing. There are more than two thousand such marks. This is despite the fact that, as a rule, those who come are hopelessly ill, and not everyone leaves an autograph.

Intercessor before the Throne of God

Over the centuries, Orthodox people have developed a tradition, whenever they are overcome by illnesses, to ask for help from the holy great martyr-healer, and these efforts are never in vain. The icon of Panteleimon the Healer, the prayer addressed to him, and, most importantly, faith and hope, alleviate the suffering of the sick. In every temple, candles burn in front of his holy image. There are always a lot of them. Believers put them on because they know from experience about the quick and effective help given to them.

Among the great host of saints honored to see the Throne of the Most High, the Great Martyr Panteleimon occupies a special place. Its meaning lies in the fact that in addition to healing the flesh, it brings peace and hope in God’s mercy to the souls of people. After all, every healing accomplished through prayer in front of his image is the fruit of his intercession for us before the Lord.

Veneration of Saint Panteleimon in Russia

They learned about the miracles of the Holy Saint of God soon after the Baptism of Rus'. For example, the Kiev prince Izyaslav was baptized with the name Panteleimon. He wore the image of the Intercessor on a military headdress, entrusting the care of himself to the All-Merciful Healer. Under his patronage he won a victory and remained safe and sound in the difficult battle of 1151.

On the day of celebration (July 27/August 9), led by Tsar Peter I, they achieved victory in naval battles with the Swedish flotilla (1714 and 1720). Nowadays, the confessor of Christ is considered the patron saint of warriors and sailors, like the mighty lion named Pantoleon.

The memory of the confessor of Christ is celebrated magnificently and solemnly in the Russian Mission on Mount Athos. Eight days before August 9, canons are sung in his honor. Many pilgrims, mostly Greeks, come to the monastery. They take part in the All-Night Vigil, singing together with the monks the liturgical texts written on pieces of paper. Receiving amazing impressions and healings.

• People use lamp oil from the icon of Panteleimon.
• They collect and store the flowers with which the image is decorated on the day of remembrance, using them as a healing potion.
• Homemade icons and handkerchiefs are illuminated at the miraculous Face, then applied to the sore spots.

In honor of the Holy Chosen One of God, the Canons, Akathist, Troparion, Kontakion, and Magnification were compiled. All this can be used in home prayer, asking for recovery from any ailment in front of the icon of Panteleimon. In churches, they conduct the blessing of water and illuminate the oil for unction, endowed with the grace-filled power of the Healer.

Note: When a person is sick, it is imperative to take advantage of the Sacraments of the Church: Confession, Communion, Unction. During the latter, you physically feel goosebumps and heat, you can even hear your joints and vertebrae creaking. This is incredible! Amazing miraculous powers operate during the service.

Reconciliation of colleagues

Vmch.
Panteleimon. Icon, Byzantium. Athos; XIV century; Athos, Hilandar Monastery In 2021, George almost left his job because he could not tolerate the arrogant attitude of his boss. Georgy’s wife saw that her husband liked the work and the team, and that it would not be so easy to find a new place, especially with a meek boss, and persuaded her husband to stay. And she began to fervently pray to the Great Martyr Panteleimon for the reconciliation of her colleagues.

Less than a week had passed when the boss called Georgiy and invited him to go fishing. Then they and their families went to a mutual friend’s house for a holiday. So, in addition to official communication, friendly, informal communication began. Georgy began to come home from work on time, but, more importantly, in a good mood.

How does the icon of Panteleimon the Healer help?

It would be more accurate to say not the icon, but the Saint himself, praying to the Lord about all human ailments. He is one of those whose “specialization” is specific - healing the suffering. Not everyone can venerate the miraculous image. Not every church has relics. But there are a lot of praises and petitions compiled in honor of Panteleimon.

Why do we get sick

Doctors can discover the physical cause of a disease, but only we ourselves can discover the spiritual cause. Most often, it is our unrighteous life that leads to illness. The Lord does not punish anyone, He always acts out of Love. They say that illness and patience with grief are a guarantee that a heavenly abode in Heaven is being prepared for a person. Health problems happen:

• as atonement for sins, so that having suffered on earth, we would not suffer punishment in eternity;
• to prevent a more terrible spiritual fall;
• for a person to turn to God;
• to receive the crown of martyrdom for enduring suffering without complaining;
• children may get sick due to the fault of their parents (for example, abortions) or ancestors, or the Lord, in His mercy, does not give health so that they do not do troubles that lead to destruction.

As you can see, the reason depends on our spiritual state. Yes, the saints help. Prayers, although weak, provide relief. But in healing serious illnesses, one must take care of both physical and spiritual health. It is necessary to approach the solution of the problem comprehensively.

What to do if you are seriously ill

• Prayers are addressed to the Lord, the Mother of God and the Saints, especially to those who were doctors during their lifetime.
• You definitely need to confess.
• After receiving communion, unction is one of the main medicines.
• When asking for healing, do not be stingy in making promises that you will fulfill to correct your sinful life. Don't forget about them after recovery.
• Read the Psalter. In the monastery you can order - indestructible. Panteleimon himself prayed, reading psalms.
• Always give thanks for everything. Read the Akathist to the Holy Healer.
• Learn humble prayer - it is fulfilled very quickly.
• Never despair, pester the Lord and His saints with your requests.

Conclusion: Whatever illness happens, believe: the Lord is able to deliver from it if the person himself does not become an obstacle. This is why suffering is given, so that we, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, can correct our lives, receiving spiritual and physical health.

Doctors' envy

Gradually, the fame of the young doctor spread throughout the country. People came to him as a wise and, importantly, selfless healer. No one has ever been refused. In those years, the persecution of Christians intensified, the prisons were overcrowded with them. Many prisoners suffered from wounds and illnesses, and Saint Panteleimon, sparing no effort and time, visited these unfortunates, easing their suffering. This further contributed to his popularity among the people.

Such success and such glory of the young healer gave rise to burning envy in the hearts of his colleagues - other Nicomedia doctors. To destroy the saint, they informed the emperor about his sympathies for state criminals - Christians, as well as about his probable affiliation with their religion. The emperor, not wanting to take their word for it, summoned Saint Panteleimon to the palace and, in refutation of the accusations made, ordered him to immediately sacrifice to idols.

Prayers to Panteleimon the healer

Troparion, tone 3:

Passion-bearing saint and healer Panteleimon, pray to the merciful God that he will grant remission of sins to our souls.

Kontakion, tone 5:

O imitator of the Merciful, and receiving healing grace from Him, passion-bearer and martyr of Christ God, with your prayers heal our spiritual ailments, driving away the ever-fighting temptations from those who cry out truly: save us, Lord.

Greatness

We magnify you, / the passion-bearing saint, the great martyr and healer Panteleimon, / and we honor your honest suffering, / which you endured for Christ.

Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

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O great servant of Christ and glorious healer, Great Martyr Panteleimon! With your soul in Heaven stand before the Throne of God and enjoy His Trinitarian glory, rest in your holy body and face on earth in Divine temples and perform various miracles by the grace given to you from above. Look with your merciful eye on the people ahead and more honestly praying to the icon and asking you for healing help and intercession. Extend your warm prayers to the Lord our God and ask our souls for forgiveness of our sins. With faith we call on your name, holy and righteous Panteleimon. For you have received grace from the Lord God to drive away illnesses and heal passions. We therefore ask you: do not despise us, unworthy, who pray to you and demand your help. Be a comforter to us in our sorrows, and a doctor to the suffering in times of severe ills. Those who are attacked are a quick protector. To the ailing eyes - the giver of insight. For those in sorrow, he is the most ready intercessor and healer. Intercede for everyone everything that is useful for salvation. Because through your prayers to the Lord God we have received grace and mercy, let us glorify all the good Source and Giver, the One God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.