Chapter 4

St. Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Unmercenary Physician

July 27.

SAINT PANTELEIMON, the Great Martyr, was born in the city of Nicomedia, during the third century; at his birth he was given the name of Pantoleon, which signifies, in all things a lion. But as we shall see after in his life he was given the name Panteleimon which signifies, all-merciful. We shall call him by this last name. The name itself already explains for us—telling by what virtues especially the holy martyr had become celebrated. And in reality the Church praises St. Panteleimon as a healer who never took pay, a most kind physician of both bodily and spiritual ills.

Panteleimon’s mother was a Christian, but she died while he was yet very young. His father, being a pagan who worshiped the Roman idols, educated his child in the same false customs and religion. Eustorgius, the father, gave his son Panteleimon to one Euphrosinius, who was a renowned physician, that he might teach the boy the science of medicine. The new pupil of this learned master showed himself clever and at the same time industrious, with a quiet disposition. The great doctor became attached to him, and he always had the boy with him. As he was the medical adviser of the emperor, Panteleimon went with him to the palace, and the Emperor Maksimian also took a liking to the bright lad. Panteleimon visited his teacher every day. His path lay by the humble dwelling of an old man, whose name was Ermolaus. This old Ermolaus was a Christian priest. There were other Christians also who lived with him, concealing themselves from the unbelievers, for at that time the Christians were persecuted, and the Bishop of Nicomedia, Anthemus, was put to death a little before this. The aged saint loved Panteleimon, and the Lord filled his heart with a desire to enlighten the youth with the light of the true faith. Once he invited the lad to enter his house, and here Ermolaus opened a conversation with him. He commenced by inquiring of the youth who his parents were, which religion was theirs, and what their occupation was. Panteleimon readily answered these questions of the good old man. “My mother was a Christian,” said he, “and she served one God; she is now dead; my father belongs to the religion of the Hellenes, and he worships many gods.” On perceiving that the open-hearted youth was anxious about the truth, and inquired for explanations, the presbyter at once spoke of the beautiful order of the universe, of the great and wise and good Creator. Then in brief he reviewed the history of mankind; of its fall, its corruption, and the different false ideas of religion. He told him of the coming into the world of the Son of God as a man like unto ourselves, sins excepted, that He might by His teaching, His goodness, and His death, open unto us again the happiness of Paradise, and return us to our God. The words of the old man reminded Panteleimon of the first teaching of his good mother, who thus also spoke to him of the Lord when he was a little child. He listened with care, and so loved these instructions that he came every day to visit the presbyter, after leaving his medical lessons. The holy man continued to explain for him the commandments of Jesus Christ, and the heart of Panteleimon became inflamed with love to God. The Lord in His mercy strengthened his faith by a wonderful event. It happened that, when he was once returning from his master, Panteleimon saw a little child lying dead upon the road. The cause of the death of the child was lying there next to its body — a live venomous serpent. At first the youth was frightened. But he suddenly remembered what the old man had told him of the might and goodness of God. He commenced to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, calling upon His holy name and all-powerful assistance, when, to the delight of his pure heart, he saw the child awake as if from a deep sleep. This miracle completed the first instructions of the presbyter; for Panteleimon believed from the depth of his soul, and rejoicing and praising the Lord, he hurried to meet Ermolaus, to tell him all and to beg him for his baptism without delay. Having become a Christian, Panteleimon prayed God that his father also might be made to understand the truth, as he loved his father and sorrowed because he still remained a pagan. The youth often tried to convince him that his gods were false and had no power whatever; Eustorgius heard him and began to waver in his religion of many deities; finally the merciful Lord opened his understanding by divine grace. In course of time Panteleimon had become a celebrated physician, and many sick people appealed to him for relief. Once a blind man was brought to him, who said that all the healers in the city had doctored him in turn, but in vain. “I only wasted my wealth upon them,” said the unfortunate man; “but I will cheerfully give you what I have left to me, if you will but cure me.” Moved by the Spirit of God, Panteleimon said to the blind man: “The Father of Light, the true God, will heal you by me. I am His unworthy servant. All that which you have promised me, distribute among the poor.” On hearing this conversation, his father, Eustorgius, complained: “My son, do not undertake to do that of which thou art incapable,” said he. “Hearest thou not, that no physician was able to restore him his sight? How canst thou hope to succeed in this?” “Those physicians could not cure him,” answered Panteleimon; “but there is a great difference between their teachers and my teacher.” Eustorgius thought that his son spoke about the celebrated doctor, Euphrosinus, upon which he replied: “I have heard, my son, that your master, Euphrosinus, attempted to cure this blind one, but without success.” “You will now see the power of my healing, father,” said Panteleimon. He approached the blind man, and touching his eyes, said: “In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I say to thee, receive thy sight.” And in the same instant the eyes of the blind were opened, and he could see. Greatly wondering at the exhibit of such power and the grace of God, both Eustorgius and the formerly blind man believed in the Lord. When, soon after this, Panteleimon acquainted them with Ermolaus, the old priest instructed them in the Christian law, and baptized them in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. It was not long before the father of our youthful saint had died, leaving him a rich inheritance. Panteleimon immediately liberated all his servants and slaves, rewarding them abundantly, and then he commenced to distribute his wealth among the needy. He visited on each day those who were confined in bonds, the sick, the unfortunate, and he succored them. The Lord gifted him with power to heal all diseases with His name; not one stricken with misery had left him without obtaining relief or assistance; the sick flocked to him in multitudes, and all the people praised the talented and unmercenary physician. This fact aroused the jealousy of all the medical men. Once some of them met upon the way the blind man whom they could not cure. They were surprised to see him in possession of his sight; they questioned him to learn who had cured him. When he told them that it was Panteleimon, they retorted: “It is no wonder, for he is the great pupil of the great master, the celebrated physician, Euphrosinus.” But, loudly applauding him, they secretly hated Panteleimon, and endeavored to seek a means by which to injure him. Continually watching his actions, they discovered that he often visits the prisons, in which at that time many Christians were confined that he heals their infirmities and offers them money, and that he believes in Christ himself. His enemies lost no time in accusing him before the Emperor Maksimian. “Sire,” said they to him, “the young man who was by your order educated in the art of healing, now abuses your kindness by using his abilities to a disgraceful advantage. He often visits the enemies of our gods, he helps them; and he himself believes in one Christ, and offers to Him the glory of his cures. If thou dost not take some measures against him, he will do much evil, and lead many astray from the true religion.” At the same time, to uphold their complaint, they brought before the emperor the blind man who had been healed by Panteleimon. “Tell me,” inquired of him the ruler, “how was it that Panteleimon restored to thee thy sight?” “He touched my eyes, and called upon the name of Jesus Christ, and I began to see,” answered he who was blind. “Thinkest thou that it was Jesus Christ who healed thee, or our gods?” asked the ruler. “Many physicians endeavored to cure me, and they invoked the aid of Esculapius, but I received no benefit whatever from them. When Panteleimon called the name of Christ, only then was it that I could see. And now, sire, thou mayst decide thyself which was it that cured me.” The emperor found no words for reproach to this reply; however, he began to advise him who was blind to worship the gods.

But he with all his heart believed in the Lord, and no advice nor command, not even persecution, could compel him to renounce himself of the Lord Jesus Christ, who healed him. At last the emperor, filled with anger, condemned him to die. After the execution Panteleimon bought of the soldiers the body of this firm confessor of his faith, and gave it a Christian burial. Panteleimon hardly had time enough to put away the dead, when a summons came that he should appear before the emperor. He, of course, correctly surmised why he was sent for; but persecution and death for the name of Christ frightened him not, and he calmly and joyfully went before the sovereign. Maksimian concealed his anger, and received him apparently with kindness. “What is it I hear of thee, Panteleimon? It is said that thou despisest the gods and dost offer praise to some Christ, who died the death of a criminal. Can it be possible that thou hast forgotten all my attention and kindness, and hast become my enemy? No, I can not believe this, and hope that thou wilt thyself disarm thy accusers, and before all offer a sacrifice to our great gods.” “Sire, believe what they have told you of me,” fearlessly answered the young man. “I in truth did renounce your false gods, and I offer glory to Christ, for according to His works I have become convinced that He is the true God. He created the universe. He raises the dead. He restores sight to the blind; the infirm He gives strength and health.” Panteleimon desired to prove for the emperor that his false gods were nothing, he therefore recommended to have an extremely sick one brought in, and that the priests of the pagan temples should be invited to pray for the return of his health.

All was done as he desired. The ministers of the gods prayed to their idols in vain. But when Panteleimon called upon the sick one the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, he was healed at that instant. Many of those who witnessed such a wonder, believed in the Lord; but grace had no access to the heart of Maksimian. The idolatrous priests said to the emperor: “If Panteleimon remain alive, he will deceive many, and we will be made a laughing-stock for the Christians; we therefore demand, sire, that you give the order to seize him.” The emperor requested St. Panteleimon to bend the knee before the gods, at the same time warning him of the terrible tortures for his refusal; he also reminded him of the death to which the aged Anthemus was condemned. “If Anthemus, an old man, could bear suffering with such fortitude, then I should be the one to fear”

“To die for Christ would be for me a blessing.” Hearing these remarks of the young Christian, the emperor ordered his servants to torture him, which they did by tearing his body with sharp instruments, and then burning the sores with a torch. Panteleimon prayed:

“Lord Jesus Christ,” said he, “be Thou near to me, and give me patience, that I may bear this torture to the end.” The Lord heard his prayer and revealed His person to him, strengthening and cheering him in the midst of suffering. Although the persecutor’s wrath was horrible, yet it was feeble; in vain he sought out the most terrible tortures; he ordered the saint to be thrown into a vessel filled with melted lead; the martyr remained alive and whole.

Ascribing this to the art of a sorcerer, Maksimian commanded that the Christian have a large stone tied to his neck and then be cast into the sea. But it was the Lord’s pleasure to manifest in Panteleimon His power and goodness; the martyr remained alive and whole, preserved from danger by the almighty hand of God. The emperor resolved to rid himself of Panteleimon by giving him as food to the wild beasts. The theater was prepared at the outskirts of the city on an appointed day all the people gathered to see how the wild beasts would tear the body of the young Christian. The ruler himself arrived on the scene, and pointing to the hungry, fierce beasts, said to Panteleimon: “Save thy youthful life, and offer a sacrifice to the gods.” But the Christian would rather die than renounce the Lord. The ferocious animals were let out at him again; the Lord rescued him, as He rescued Daniel of old.

It seemed as though the jaws of the beasts were guarded when they came around Panteleimon, as so many meek lambs. At this many voices in the multitude called out: “Great is the God of Christians.” All this only increased the anger of Maksimian. Those who dared to praise Christ he put to death. But for Panteleimon he invented new tortures. He ordered the saint tied to a wheel covered with sharp spikes; again God revealed His mercy, even to Maksimian, by showing His greatness in preserving Panteleimon in this terrible trial. “Who has taught you to be a sorcerer ?” asked the infuriated emperor. “It is not magics, but in Christian piety, I have been taught by the priest, Ermolaus,” replied the holy martyr. Panteleimon knew well that Ermolaus feared not to die for the name of Christ, so therefore he did not conceal his teacher’s name. The emperor sent Panteleimon himself to bring Ermolaus before him. “Thou hast come for good, my son,” said the aged saint, when the young man entered his house “the time has come for me to suffer and to die for the Lord, for I have this very night seen the Lord, who told me of it.

Let us go.” On coming into the presence of the emperor, Ermolaus without fear declared that he was a Christian. When questioned if he had any more associates, he named two, Ermina and Ermocrata, who lived in the same house with him. These also were summoned before the court. “You have turned Panteleimon away from our gods ?” said the emperor to the Christians. “Christ, the God Himself, calls those whom He finds worthy,” answered they. “Endeavor to convert Panteleimon to our gods once more,” said the ruler, “and then the first fault will not only be forgiven you, but you will receive a reward from me.” “We cannot do this. We would rather die for the name of our God,” with firmness replied the Christians. Thereupon they began to pray, and the Lord revealed Himself to them, so that they were strengthened for that which awaited them. Suddenly a shock of earthquake was felt, soon after which it was reported to the emperor that the idols in the temple fell from their places. Not perceiving in this the almighty hand of the great Creator, Maksimian exclaimed: “If I do not put to death these sorcerers, the whole city will be destroyed!”

He then commanded that Panteleimon be taken to prison, and Ermolaus, Ermina, and Ermocrata to be flogged and then beheaded. The Church keeps the memory of these three martyrs on the 26th of July. Not being able to deceive Panteleimon, either by bribes or threats, the emperor, at last baffled in his design, ordered the martyr to be heavily flogged, and then killed at the block. The saint went to his death joyfully, chanting the Psalms of David. When they had come to the place of execution, he was tied to an olive-tree. A soldier let the blade down, but no harm came to the holy martyr, who had not yet finished his prayer. Seeing this, the guard that was there became terrified, and fell at the feet of St. Panteleimon, exclaiming, “Great is the God of Christians!” The soldiers besought the martyr to forgive and to pray for them. At this there came a voice from heaven, which named the martyr Panteleimon, instead of his former name, Pantoleon. Having prayed, the saint requested the soldiers to carry out their bidding. Finally St. Panteleimon was beheaded. The olive-tree to which he was tied was filled with fruit. Many bystanders became believers. The emperor commanded that the olive-tree be cut down, and that the body of St. Panteleimon be burned. In this instance, another miracle again proved that Panteleimon was God’s faithful servant — his body was not burned in the fire. Christians took the body and buried it honorably; at the same time they made a record of the life, suffering, and death of the great martyr, and sent it, for their edification and his memory, to the holy churches.

This took place A. D. 296. At the present day, there is a part of the relics of St. Panteleimon in a monastery on Mount Athos, which is called St. Panteleimon’s monastery. From olden times this convent was inhabited mostly by Russian monks, although there always have been also brethren of different nationalities.