Panteleimon was born in Nicomedia of a Christian mother and a pagan father. His mother was named Eubula and his father Eustorgius. As a young man, he studied the science of medicine. The priest Hermolaus befriended him, taught him the Christian Faith and baptized him. Panteleimon miraculously cured a blind man whom other doctors had treated in vain; he healed him by the name of Christ and baptized him. The doctors, full of envy, accused Panteleimon as a Christian, and he went before the Emperor Maximian to stand trial. “He stood before the earthly king in body but in mind he stood before the heavenly King.” He freely declared to the emperor that he was a Christian, and in his presence healed a paralytic of his long-standing illness. This miracle drew many pagans to the Christian Faith. The emperor subjected Panteleimon to torture, but the Lord appeared to him on several occasions, and delivered him whole and unharmed. Then St. Hermolaus, along with Hermippas and Hermocrates suffered. Sentenced to death, St. Panteleimon knelt in prayer. At that moment, the executioner struck him on the neck with the sword, but it broke as though made of wax. The executioner was unable to execute Panteleimon until the saint completed his prayer and gave him permission to do so. His relics possess the ability to heal. Panteleimon was executed under an olive tree which was thereafter adorned with much faith. “Panteleimon” means “all-merciful,” or “all-compassionate.” The All-merciful God received his righteous soul and glorified him among His great saints. This wonderful martyr honorably for Christ in his youth, on July 27, 304. St. Panteleimon is invoked during the prayers of the Blessing of Waters and in the Sacrament of Holy Unction, together with St. Hermolaus and the other unmercenary and wonderworking saints. A most beautiful church dedicated to this saint is located on the Holy Mountain.
Source: St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid – Volume Two.
Apolytikion
Panteleimon, saintly champion and healer, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins.
Kontakion
O Champion and Martyr of God, imitating the Merciful and bearing from Him the grace of healing, cure our spiritual ills by your prayers, and set free from the temptation of the eternal enemy those who ceaselessly cry out, “Save us, O Lord.”
