On August 9, all Christians celebrate Panteleimon's Day. According to popular beliefs, on this day all plants Saint Panteleimon the healer bestows with a powerful healing power, able to save from any illness. The healers at sunrise on the day of Panteleimon collected medicinal herbs and prayed to the Saint for the healing of the suffering.
The Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Panteleimon (from the Greek "all-merciful") lived in the city of Nicodemia in the late III century. - the beginning of the IV century. At that time, Christians were persecuted by the Roman emperors-pagans, were tortured and killed.
Panteleimon was born into a wealthy family. His father was a pagan, and his mother, secretly from everyone, was a Christian. Parents gave the boy to the training of the famous doctor Efrosin. The distinctive quality of a capable student was the constant search for truth. In addition, he was sympathetic, meek and very wise, so the Christian priest Ermolai told him the gospel doctrine.
One day, a young Panteleimon saw on the street a child who died from a bite of echidna. The guy began to pray to Christ about his salvation. He decided that he would accept faith if he heard his prayer. A miracle was accomplished, the boy survived, and Panteleimon received Baptism .
Young talented healer Panteleimon treated all the suffering, but, first of all, helped the poor and prisoners. He used decoctions of herbs, which he himself collected. Soon many learned about the healer and began to come to him with a request for help.
Gentile doctors were very envious of the young doctor and told the king that he had betrayed paganism and healed the suffering in the name of Christ, while introducing people to Christianity. The Roman Emperor Maximian ordered severely to punish the young man. Panteleimon was betrayed by heavy tortures, he was required to sacrifice idols. However, the holy healer Panteleimon, undergoing torment, professed himself a Christian. Many of those present, even the executioners themselves, seeing help from above and being convinced of his faith, believed in Christ. Razvirepeev, the emperor, ordered to cut off the disobedient head and burn at the stake his body. But the body of the saint thrown into the fire remained intact. St. Panteleimon the healer was executed for faith in the year 305.
Where are the relics of St. Panteleimon?
The relics of St. Panteleimon have spread all over the world. The head of the martyr, as the main shrine, rests on Mount Athos in the monastery of Greece. Particles of other relics are kept in many temples of the world.
In the cathedral of Ravello in Italy is a capsule with the gore of the Holy. It is known that after Panteleimon the healer was beheaded, one of the Christians collected particles of his blood. The blood of St. Panteleimon in a glass vessel was brought in the 12th century from Byzantium to Ravello,
Icon of St. Panteleimon the Healer
On the icon of Panteleimon the healer is depicted with a measuring spoon in his hands and a casket for medicines. He is young, his look is full of compassion and love. During his lifetime, the young man created many miracles. He did not refuse anyone to help, but in the medical case he used knowledge and soul. After his death Panteleimon the healer continues to help everyone who believes.
The icon of Panteleimon the healer protects Christians from troubles and diseases. It helps to relieve the pain of the physical and mental. Help and patronage of the icon also extends to the military, doctors and sailors. People whose profession is associated with the salvation of other lives, the icon of St. Panteleimon will support and inspire successful work.