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 26th of October, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Great-Martyr and Wonder-Worker DEMETRIOS, the Myrrh-gusher.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Third Tone
A GREAT champion hath the whole world found thee to be when in
grave perils; for thou dost put to flight the heathen, O victorious
one. As thou didst humble Lyaeus’s arrogance and gavest boldness
to Nestor in the stadium, thus, O holy Great-Martyr Demetrios, do
thou entreat Christ God that we be granted great mercy.
Kontakion Hymn of the Holy Martyr. Second Tone
GOD, Who hath given thee invincible strength, O Demetrios, hath
adorned the Church with the royal purple of the streams of thy
blood and hath kept thy city unharmed, for thou art the support
thereof.
DEMETRIOS, the Great-Martyr and athlete of Christ, lived approximately three hundred years after the Nativity of Jesus Christ.. He flourished at the time of the co-rulership of the pagan Roman realm by Diocletian and Maximian Herculius, who were paired by the devil himself. They had appointed as Caesar one named Maximian Galerius, who lorded over Greece and Macedonia. His wife was the daughter of Diocletian Valerius, and he was also impious and in no wise would even hear the name of the Christ spoken.
Wherever he found any Christian, he would attempt in different ways to put him to death. Many Christians, indeed, were going to him of their own will that they might suffer martyrdom for the love of Christ. Among those Christians was Saint Demetrios; but let us start from the beginning.
In answer to prayers, he was born in 270 A.D. at Thessaloniki of devout yet long childless parents, who were secret Christians. At his birth, his father prepared a city-wide feast, which included the indigent; but his real joy was in thanking God Who has bestowed on him and his wife a child. Demetrios was carefully instructed by his parents, who were among the first and most distinguished rulers of the Macedonians. Although his father was the military commander of Salonika, neither he nor Demetiors’ mother neglected to bring up their son in the fear and admonition of the Lord. From a lad, he was shown two icons that his parents hid away in a private room kept for family prayers. He was taught early in life the difference between the True God and the gods of their pagan neighbors. Demetrios was baptized at an early age, and he grew from strength to strength in virtue. From his childhood years, by nature and disposition, he was good, innocent, sweet, and humble, and his character foretold the great stature in the Lord he would attain in due time. Now the people of the city honored the youth for his excellent lineage, but more so for his virtue, integrity, and chastity. He was not only superior in the nobility of his soul, prudence, and justice, but also admired among the young men as certainly the most
handsome.
By the time Demetrios attained his majority, he was generally deemed gallant, polite, and most honorable. He busied himself chiefly with what was good, but he also exercised himself in the arts of war, since at that time young men greatly esteemed military careers. He was in the bloom of manhood and was already renowned for his strength and skill in battle, but more did others praise his spiritual virtues, since he was sensible and disciplined. He loved righteousness and abhorred injustice. His good fame and virtues were in the mouths of all, including those in the circle of Emperor Maximian Galerius. In an interview, the emperor was impressed with the young man. Galerius selected Demetrios, out of all the leaders of Thessaloniki, and elevated him to the rank of doux, that is, military commander of all Thessaly. Galerius perceived that Demetrios’ prudent conduct and discernment, united with his manly deeds in battle and military experience, should enable him to master the duties of his new position.
Before the holy man was vouchsafed this dignity from Emperor Maximian, it was not known that he was a Christian. When he received the office, however, he made it no secret that he was a Christian. Although he was not displeased with the imperial appointment as military commander and protector of the people, nothing made him happier than when he was pursuing the increase of virtue. Day and night, he never left off teaching the word of God and faith in the Christ. He was instructing the people openly, without any attempt at concealment or fear that the emperor should hear of his activities. He made it his chief labor to sow the seed of piety in a suitable manner that was adopted to those souls who listened. He was explaining to the idolaters how the True God fashioned man and honored him, and how he was placed in Paradise where he might rejoice and delight in Christ. The devil, out of envy, deceived him so that he might transgress the command of God. This disobedience led to expulsion from Paradise. He went on discoursing about how that very same God and Fashioner, willing to restore man, came down to earth and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Virgin and Birthgiver of God, Mary, and became perfect Man, even as we, save that He knew no sin. He was crucified and put to death, Arose into the heavens. He shall return in the Last Time and shall Judge all mankind, rendering to each according to his works.
Demetrios’ teachings were bringing forth abundant fruit. Thus, considering nothing else as gain, except converting the entire city of Thessaloniki to belief in the Christ, he never ceased preaching.
Emperor Maximian had just brought under Roman rule the Scythians and Sarmatians. On his return as victor and trophy-bearer, all along the way, in every city he passed through, he offered sacrifice to the idols. When he arrived in Thessaloniki, certain idolaters, having the devil in their heart and wishing to be honored by the emperor for their loyalty and love, went to him and declared, "Many years to your majesty! We beseech thee that thou permittest us to bring to thine attention a matter wherein we trust thou shalt not find us impertinent, for the subject pertains to thy glory and honor…know thou, then, that Demetrios, whom your majesty honored with the rank of governor of Thessaly, has renounced the religion of his fathers and believes in the Christ, the One Who was crucified by the Hebrews. He openly preaches that this Christ is the True God! Indeed, many persons have been deceived and misled by his words, and have abandoned their ancient beliefs and become Christians.
The emperor, hearing such a report, initially was saddened, because he was losing such a capable man. However, later, wishing to learn the truth for himself, he commanded that Demetrios be brought to him. The emperor’s men found the holy man, he was sitting and teaching the words of God. He was seized and brought him before the emperor. As he stood before the emperor, far from being afraid, he was so filled with gladness and good cheer that his countenance appeared bright, beautiful, and graceful from his joy. The emperor spoke to Demetrios, saying, "I did not expect such a lack of regard on thy part. I had hoped to deserve better from thee, after having honored thee with such a high rank as the appointment of governor of Thessaloniki. And yet thou didst not come forth even one mile from the city to meet me in advance?"
Hearing these things, the holy man replied, "O emperor, I esteem thy monarchy; however, above thee, much more the God of heaven and earth, Who is the Kingdom of the cosmos (world). The emperor asked, "And who is thy God and King?" The Saint answered, "The Lord Jesus Christ: He is True God and the Almighty King." Hearing these statements from the Saint’s mouth, the emperor, at first, became excessively angry; afterward, though, wishing to humble Demetrios’ judgment, he commanded that they incarcerate him. He was incarcerated in a subterranean chamber of a bathhouse. Left alone in that cellar, Demetrios noticed a large scorpion moving in for an attack, the Saint made the sign of the Cross and said, "In the name of the Christ, Who said, ‘Behold, I give yu the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy" [Luke 10:19]. Uttering these words, he trod upon the creature, and straightway, it vanished. Then, instantly, an Angel of the Lord appeared over him, bearing a golden crown, and said to him, "Rejoice, Demetrios, soldier of the Christ, be brave, be empowered, and conquer thine enemies." Having spoken thus, the Angel placed the crown upon the head of Christ’s holy martyr.
In that dark and damp cellar the holy Demetrios remained constant in prayer. When he lifted up his soul chanting hymns to God, it was as if he were in a bright chamber. Though the Saint certainly pleased God, he longed for the hour of his death. The emperor decided to call the pentathlon, which was a contest involving five exercises, that is, jumping, food racing, throwing the discus, hurling the javelin, and wrestling. the spectacles drew large crowds to view the athletes. The emperor sat on a lofty place and observed the contestants. One or the participants was the emperor’s hand-picked contender, named Lyaios, who was from a certain city of the Scythians called Wandela. He was the tallest and strongest of the competitors,and one whom the emperor esteemed and praised. Lyaios’ specialty was wrestling. As he competed and won every competition, the emperor received great joy and bestowed rich gifts upon him.
There was a certain comely youth of Thessaloniki, named Nestor, who was a secret Christian, and yet he was known by Saint Demetrios. Nestor, too, observed the contests and how Lyaios slew man after man, bringing much pleasure and pride at every win to the emperor. Some of those who lost their lives were Christians, so, at this juncture, Nestor desired that the pagans should learn the power of the True God, Christ. Thus, he hastened to visit Demetrios in the bathhouse, and said to him, "O slave of the True God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and my superior…empower me so that I prevail over him. Saint Demetrios then made the sign of the Cross on Nestor’s forehead, and said to him, "Go thou and prevail over Lyaios, and witness and suffer on behalf of the Christ." Thus, having received the blessing of Saint Demetrios, the holy Nestor, undaunted at the Saint’s words of future suffering, went to the place where the contests were sill in progress. He openly challenged Lyaios to wrestle him and he accepted the challenge.
Nestor, as soon as he drew near to Lyaios, threw off his outer garment and shouted, "O God of Demetrios, do Thou help me!" Straightway, as soon as he uttered those words, he drew his dagger and dealt that proud man a fatal stabbing to his heart. Forthwith, the giant fell to the ground dead. When the emperor witnessed the slaying of his favorite he was very angry and grieved over the death of his friend. Nestor replied, "I O emperor, did not prevail over Lyaios with magic, but by the power of the Christ, the True God." When the emperor heard these words, he flew into a rage. He commanded that Nestor be taken outside the city and there to sever his head with his own dagger. Thus, Nestor received the crown of the contest both on earth and in the heavens, according to the words of Saint Demetrios. He is commemorated by Our Holy Orthodox Church on the 27th of October.
Those about him then reminded the emperor that Nestor had shouted out Demetrios’ name, and that he must be implicated in the death of Liaios. Without any further evidence, the emperor believed it to be so; and thus, he ordered his soldiers to slay the holy man amid the columns in the subterranean chamber. The soldiers marched in with their lances ready in their hands. They found Saint Demetrios standing in prayer. Without uttering a word, Saint Demetrios himself raised his right hand and received the first lance in his side, in the same place where our Savior was lanced on the Cross. The other soldiers then pierced his body all over with their lances. Such was the Martyrdom of the Great-Martyr Demetrios, blessed Christians, whom we commemorated on the 26th of October. After the soldiers fulfilled their commission, they left Saint Demetrios on the ground where he lay. Certain godly Christians came to the bathhouse secretly, on account of their fear of the emperor. They found his holy relics on the ground. In that chamber where he struggled and suffered martyrdom, the Christian interred him.
In the Orthodox Church, not many Saints have the distinction of being myrrh-streamers or myrrh-gushers. Together with Saint Demetrios. In accordance with the Saint’s Martyrdom, the Church of Saint Demetrios was built over the site of his execution, a Roman bathhouse where he was incarcerated. This chamber is preserved to the present day in a crypt under the altar. The Church of Saint Demetrios was built 412-413 A.D. on the site of his Martyrdom 303 A.D.
The holy relics, having been taken by Franks, had spent many years in the Italian village of Saint Lorenzo de Campo. The sacred skull and other portions, lately returned to Thessaloniki, are enshrined in a small hexagonal chapel in the left aisle of the church. On Athos, and in other places,is treasured the Saint’s blood with the dirt taken by the Christians at the time of his martyrdom. This church now is one of the largest in Greece. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church).
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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 