We are all constantly waiting for a miracle. This does not depend on what it should be, but depends on the situation in which we most rely on it. It is especially important for us that such an action occurs at a time when we need help to solve health problems. And in this case, the miracles of the healer Panteleimon will be most welcome. It is to him that we turn our prayers in case of illness and it is from him that we ask for help in healing, as well as health for all those around us.
Life of a Saint
The life of Panteleimon the healer is for believers not only an example of renunciation for the Lord, but also an example of a spiritual full life.
This great martyr gave his entire life in order to serve the King of Heaven. And at the end of his earthly journey he accepted martyrdom to glorify the Heavenly Father.
Icon of Panteleimon the healer
Birth and adolescence
In the third century after Christ, the Roman Empire had an autonomous region - Bethany, which was governed by a special proconsul and where the city of Nicodemus was located. There lived a wealthy man named Eustorgius, who worshiped pagan gods, with his Christian wife Evvula (“blessed”). They had a child, who was named Pantoleon.
Christian society was just emerging at that time; communities were not everywhere. Emperor Maximian, who ruled at that time, cruelly persecuted everyone who openly confessed Christ. The born child was loved by his father, who wanted the baby to become a powerful military leader.
The mother, in turn, secretly tried to raise the baby in the Christian faith, instilling mercy and humility from childhood.
The boy’s mother died when he was still a teenager and his father sent him to study healing with the famous healer Euphrosynus, since even then the boy was attracted to medicine. During this period, the persecution of Christians took on a particularly cruel character at the height of the persecution, and the young man found himself presented to Emperor Maximian.
This was very honorable, because Pantoleon could become a doctor at court, which would be an excellent option for a common person. But the Lord predestined a different path for him from childhood.
Read about Saint Panteleimon:
- Church of St. Panteleimon in St. Petersburg
- Akathist to the Great Martyr Panteleimon
- Saint icon
Faith in Christ
In Nicodemus, all open believers were destroyed, they were executed and put to death for their faith. Only a few of them survived, including the three pillars of Christianity in that area - the priests Hermolai, Hermippus and Hermocrates. Ermolai noticed a rich young man who often walked past. He spoke to him and they soon became close friends.
The young man liked to communicate with the wise old man, and Ermolai saw in him great potential and a special path predetermined by the Lord.
Saint Panteleimon the Healer and Ermolai
Over time, the young man accepted the Christian faith and was baptized by Ermolai, receiving the name Panteleimon after baptism.
The young man continued to heal people and heal them, helping the poor financially. Over time, the young man’s father also turned away from the pagan gods and turned to Christ. The healer became very popular throughout Bethany and many envied him, which soon resulted in denunciations to the emperor, because the young man openly confessed Christ.
The emperor wished to personally meet with Panteleimon, invite him to renounce Christ and worship the pagan gods of the empire. At the meeting, the healer refused such an offer, for which he was thrown into prison. He went through cruel torture: he was hung upside down from a tree and his body was torn with iron claws, a fire was made under him and his body was burned, he was thrown into a cauldron with hot oil, and he was given over to be tormented by wild animals.
The Lord kept him in all teachings and protected him from death and pain. The saint was executed by cutting off his head. And at that moment, milk flowed from the wound along with blood, and the olive tree under which the martyr died was covered with fruit. The body of the saint was buried with respect by Christians, and this life story was written down by his disciples - Lawrence, Vassa and Proviana, who saw the execution and wrote down everything.
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.
Miracles of Healing
The life of the saint was filled with miracles that the Lord performed through him.
The spiritual growth of Panteleimon was facilitated by the priest Ermolai, who held long conversations with Panteleimon and talked about the Lord, Christ and the Christian faith. The Lord soon decided to test the young man’s faith.
One day, returning from Ermolai, a young man saw a dead baby lying on the road, and next to him a coiled poisonous snake. Obviously, the echidna bit the child, and he died from poisoning. At first, the young man wanted to run away, because the snake could bite, but he overcame his fear and began to pray to the Lord for the resurrection of the child. The Lord answered the young guy’s request, and the child suddenly began to breathe, and the snake began to writhe and gave up the ghost.
Important! This became a supporting point in Panteleimon’s life - from now on he ceased to have doubts about the truth of the Christian faith and the omnipotence of God.
After baptism, Panteleimon decided to take up healing and many people began to come to him for help.
One day, a blind young man came to a healer for help. Panteleimon agreed to pray for the blind man, but his father was afraid of ridicule of his son and began to dissuade his son, because no one had ever succeeded in doing this. Nevertheless, the healer put his hands to the young man’s eyes and began to fervently pray to Christ. As soon as he finished, the young man opened his eyes and cried out - he was healed of blindness!
More Orthodox prayers for healing:
- Prayer to Luke of Crimea
- Prayer to Archangel Michael for health
- Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for healing
After this incident, the same former blind man and Panteleimon’s father became ardent Christians and began to worship Christ instead of pagan gods.
Life of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
After the death of his father, Panteleimon distributed all his inheritance to the poor and needy, and he himself continued to practice medicine, and also prayed for people and healed them.
Greatness
We magnify you, passion-bearing saint, great martyr and healer Panteleimon, and honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.
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Veneration of Saint Panteleimon
The saint is venerated in churches on Memorial Day - August 9.
In addition, in Nicodemus, on the eve of this day, a religious procession is held with the participation of the icon of the martyr, which is known for its miracles. At this time, many believers (Russians, Armenians, Mohammedans, Catholics) flock to the temple to take part in this sacred action.
They also bring terminally ill people here so that God’s will is accomplished in their lives and they are healed. More than 2,000 healings are known that occurred during this procession - people were healed from head injuries, genetic defects, depression, and many mental illnesses.
But in Rus', the veneration of the martyr began already in the 12th century, during the reign of Prince Izyaslav, who kept this image.
For reference! The relics of the saint are kept in various churches, but most of them belong to the Russian Athos Monastery named after the Great Martyr Panteleimon.
Therefore, in early August (a week before Memorial Day), pilgrimages from all over the world also take place here. Every evening prayers are sung here: there is a special canon for each day. On the second day of the celebration, a memorial service is held, the kutya is illuminated and distributed to all those present.
Everyone can pray at this time and touch the relics, but due to the laws of the monastery (women are prohibited from entering), the ark with the relics is placed on a boat and taken out so that everyone can touch and pray.
The Great Martyr Panteleimon is revered as a formidable saint. Due to his double name (Pantoleon originally, meaning “lion in everything” and Panteleimon after baptism, meaning “all-merciful”) he is considered to be the patron of:
- doctors;
- warriors;
- police officers;
- firefighters;
- sailors;
- rescuers;
- Christians who are engaged in spiritual warfare.
The Holy Name is invoked in difficult moments of duty and in life's trials. The Church turns to the martyr during the process of anointing with oil, blessing water and when praying for the weak. The image of the saint can be found in almost every temple.
Life of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
The meaning of a healer in Orthodox Christianity
The Great Martyr is considered a formidable saint. The reason for this is the name Pantoleon given at birth, which carries strength, courage and courage. The name Panteleimon assigned at baptism, on the contrary, speaks of the mercy and responsiveness of the saint. For this reason, it is believed that the healer Panteleimon is the patron saint of:
- medical personnel;
- brave and courageous warriors;
- firefighters and representatives of other rescue services;
- sailors;
- simple suffering and weak.
In front of an icon depicting the holy great martyr, it is customary to ask:
- recovery from various ailments and healing of injuries;
- deliverance from unexpected death;
- support in worldly experiences and mental anguish;
- protection from dark forces, enemies and adversaries;
- strengthening faith in the powers of Heaven.
It is allowed to read prayers both in the Church of the Lord and at home. When praying at home, it is important to distance yourself from worldly affairs. You need to pray in silence and solitude, after placing a lit church candle near the image with the face of the saint.
At the end of the prayer, do not forget to say words of gratitude. Prayer should come from the heart, not the mind.
Healer Memorial Day falls on August 9
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.
