My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 27th of July, the Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the
glorious Great-Martyr and Unmercenary Healer PANTELEIMON,
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Third Tone
O HOLY prizewinner and healer Panteleimon, intercede with the
Merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of
offences.
Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of First Tone
SINCE thou art an imitator of the Merciful One, and hast received
from Him the grace of healing, O prizewinner and Martyr of Christ
our God, by thy prayers heal the diseases of our souls, and ever
dispel the stumbling-blocks of the enemy from them that cry
unceasingly: Save us, O Lord.
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Saint Panteleimon, the glorious Great-Martyr, flourished during the years of the pagan Emperor Galerius Maximian. Panteleimon hailed from the city of Nikomedia. He was born there 284 A.D.. He was the son of a pagan physician, named Efstorgios. His mother, named Evoulee, came from Christian lineage. As much as Efstorgios depended on the idols to effect cures, so much was Evoulee’s love and eagerness heightened toward the Orthodox Faith. She brought up their child, whom they named Pantoleon (meaning "a lion in all"), not only with what was necessary for the body but more so with what was needful for the soul. She would instruct and exhort him in the Faith handed down by Christ. Within a few years, however, the blessed Evoulee reposed. Pantoleon was sent to school, studying first the basic curriculum and then undertaking those subjects integral to a Greek education. When he was taught sufficient knowledge, his father apprenticed him to a splendid doctor or that time, named Ephrosynos, that Pantoleon might gain experience in medical science. The young man, on account of his quick mind, surpassed his fellow students.
Pantoleon possessed a handsome countenance. His manner of speech was sweet and soft spoken. His figure was modest and average. He was a man of excellence with a well-ordered mind. Whoever encountered him and entered into a conversation with him found him to have a pleasing manner of address and a congenial disposition, so that one received both joy and delight form the acquaintance. By reason of his virtues, he came to be widely known. Emperor Maximian, who saw him one day when he accompanied Ephrosynos to the palace, asked after the young man. He learned from Pantoleon’s teacher of the apt pupil’s dexterity and genius. But Maximian could discern for himself both Pantoleon’s prudence and self-possession. He was impressed with his demeanor and speech. So pleased was the emperor that he commanded Ephrosynos to instruct Pantoleon as much as possible so that he might become the ultimate doctor and fit for his palace. At the same time, in the year 304 A.D., the Saintly Hermolaos, the priest of the church of Nikomedia, was in hiding. He was concealed in a house with other Christians for fear of the emperor. Since Ephrosynos’ surgery and home were in the same neighborhood, the Christians observed the goodly young man coming and going to read his lessons at his tutor’s clinic. Hermolaos discerned that the young man was most modest in his deportment. He perceived that his soul was replete with goodness and innocence. He understood in the Spirit that if the seed of the word fell upon the good ground of the aspiring doctor’s soul, it would bear a hundredfold. The Lord led him to understand that "this one is a vessel of election to Me, to hear My name before the nations, and kings…" (Acts 9:15), as it was once said of the holy Apostle Paul who was then Soul.
Such were the private thoughts of Hermolaos He desired to make the attempt to catch Pantoleon in a dragnet for the Kingdom of the heavens. The priest, therefore, opened the door of the house and cordially invited the young man inside for a conversation. Pantoleon obliged the Venerable Elder. Hermolaos greeted him warmly, asking his name, his pursuits, and his position. The youth was straightforward in his responses. He added that his late mother had been a Christian, but that his father was an idolater. Hermolaos interjected, "But thou, child, which religion dost thou love better?" Pantoleon answered, "When my mother was alive, she was always exhorting me to become a Christian when I came of age, which was also my desire as well. But when my mother reposed in my early boyhood, leaving me alone with my father, it was he who insisted that I abide in his religion. For it was his ambition that I should honor the emperor." Hermolaos then inquired, "My child, what is thy field of study?" The young man replied, "Medicine, honorable elder, as taught by Asklepios, Hippocrates, Galen, and other learned men of this science. It was this profession that my father Efstorgios preferred for me above all others. Furthermore, my teacher Ephrosynos has encouraged me to pursue this course of study, believing that I shall come to excel as a physician capable of treating any disease or illness."
Hermolaos, hearing this said to him that the True God is one: JESUS CHRST. If thou wilt believe in Him with all your heart, He shall heal every disease without the application of any medicinal herbs or botanicals. By His grace He cleanses lepers, delivers demoniacs, stanches hemorrhages, and heals other implacable and incurable illnesses. Indeed, it would be easier to count the snds of the sea and the stars of the heavens than to measure the wonders (miracles) of the Christ. Even now, at all hours and places, He stands by His servants and helps them, working signs and greater marvels than when He was upon the earth. For Christ said that the one who believes in Him shall do greater works than He, because He would be going to His Father. He promised these and other gifts to His children who love Him. For we, as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, would be made heirs of His Kingdom.
Pantoleon, hearing these promises, sensed an abundance of joy in his heart. He responded thusly: "Whatsoever thou hast said, O holy elder, I have heard many times from my mother in the past. I was watching her at her prayers before God, upon Whom she not only proclaimed as Lord but also invoked His help." Little by little, Pantoleon was being confirmed in the Faith of the Christ. Then one day, as the young man was coming from his tutor, he encountered a child in his path. The young boy lay deado the ground, being the victim of a venomous snake bite. The reptile was still poised in an upright position over the child. Pantoleon, observing this scene, brought to mind the words spoken by Hermolaos who previously cited the Gospel passage of Christ’s words: "Be healing the sick, freely ye received, freely ye give" (Matthew 10:8). He also remembered the Lord’s promise: "Behold, I give you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all hte power of the enemy; and nothing in any wise shall injure you" (Luke 10:19). Pantoleon said inwardly, "If Christ should fulfill this request of mine, that is, if He should resurrect the child slain by the serpent, I would ask for no further demonstration, I will believe all the teachings that the honorable elder has imparted to me. Moreover, I am going to become a Christian this instant." Pantoleon, straighway, uttered a prayer. In that same moment the child rose up as though he had been slumbering. Pantoleon then observed how the viper was suddenly sundered before his eyes and utterly destroyed.
Pantoleon, true to his word, believed with all his soul and heart in the Christ. He was delighted to raise his soul and bodily eyes heavenward, as he uttered words of glorification and praise to the Lord. He gave thanks that he was led to the full knowledge of the Truth. He met with Hermolaos and recounted all that transpired, after he sought to be illumined in holy Baptism. After his Baptism Father Hermolaos offered the Master’s Holy Body and Blood to the new Christian. The priest also taught him the mysteries of the Truth of our Faith. It was his joy to partake OF THE SOUL-SAVING NOURISHMENT PROVIDED BY THE PRIEST. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
(Next. Miracles and Martyrdom of the Saint)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 