Saint Panteleimon was born about 284 AD in the city of Nicodemia. His father, Evstorgios, was an idolater while his mother, Evoulis, was a
devout Christian. She raised her son, whose real name was Pantoleonta, in the Christian way of life. She passed away while her son was still
young.

Initially Pantoleonta was educated in his native tongue and then in Greek. His father sent him to study under the famous physician, Evfrosinos.
Quickly he surpassed the other students. He was handsome, soft spoken, humble and all who spoke with him felt true happiness and peace.
Because of these virtues, he became well known in Nicodemia. One day he went with Evfrosinos to the palace and it was here that the ruler,
Maximian, first saw him. He instructed Evfrosinos to educate Pantoleonta to the utmost so that he could be appointed royal physician.

At that time, Saint Ermolaos, the head of the Church in Nicodemia, lived in a house with other Christians. He watched Pantoleonta every day as
he went to his studies and finally asked him about his religion. Pantoleonta told him that while his mother was alive he had been a Christian, but
now his father had made him follow the pagans. Ermolaos told him that if he believed with all his heart in the true God he would be able to cure
anyone with His help. Pantoleonta acknowledged everything he was told and from that time on, he went to Ermolaos for counsel and began to
accept Christ with all his heart.

Time passed, and one day, with the grace of God, Pantoleonta saved a child from certain death after being bitten by a viper. He needed no
further proof that Christ was the true God. Ermolaos baptised Pantoleonta, gave him Holy Communion, and instructed him in the Sacraments of
the Holy Church. He remained for seven days with this holy man, and during this time he became completely acquainted with the teachings and
practices of the Church.

Soon, Pantoleonta was working towards his father's conversion to Christianity. This was finally achieved when he saw his son cure a man of his
blindness. By the grace of God, the man regained his sight, not only physically, but also spiritually, for before this time he was an idolater.
Pantoleonta took the man and his father to Saint Ermolaos who baptised them.

Pantoleonta distributed his wealth among the poor and then proceeded to cure all who came to him. The only payment the Saint would ask was
that the healed person believe that Jesus Christ was their true healer. The other physicians became very envious and wanting to betray the
Saint to the Emperor, a group of them went to Maximian and told him that the doctor that he himself had educated was healing Christians and
that the idolaters were converting to Christianity. As proof, the blind man who was cured was brought before the Emperor, who tried to
convince him that the gods had cured him and not Christ. But it was futile. Maximian realised that everything the doctors had told him was true.
He ordered that the man be beheaded. The Saint secretly took the man's body and buried it in a Christian place.

Pantoleonta was ordered to appear before the Emperor, who described the charges that were brought before him and ordered Pantoleonta to
sacrifice to the gods. The Saint refused. The false-priests and doctors begged the Emperor to execute him so that Christianity would not gain in
popularity among the people. Unable to change his beliefs, Maximian ordered that the Saint be tortured. First they tied him to a board and tore
his skin with iron claws. Then, the soldiers burned him with their torches. The Saint prayed to God to give him strength to withstand the torture.
Next the Saint was taken and placed in a kettle but the tar remained cool around him. The Emperor considered the miracles to be magic tricks
performed by Pantoleonta. Continuing with his efforts he had a boulder tied to the Saint and thrown into the sea. The boulder became light and
the Saint floated on the water. Maximian still refused to recognise the power of the true God. Next the Saint was placed in the stadium but the
wild beasts peacefully walked towards him and licked his feet. The crowd cheered and together praised God and Pantoleonta. Maximian was
enraged and had all the animals butchered. The miracle served to honour the Saint and to show others the way of righteousness.

The Saint was submitted to even more tortures. He was tied to a wheel and then rolled down a hill. The purpose was to tear the Saint's Body to
pieces. Instead, it rolled over several idolaters and killed them. The Saint again suffered no harm.

Pantoleonta decided to bring Saint Ermolaos to the people, since his words could convert even more pagans to Christianity. Ermolaos and two
other men, Ermocratis and Ermippon, were brought before the Emperor who tried to convince them that they believed in a false God. Unable
to make them renounce their faith they were tortured and finally beheaded. The bodies were secretly taken by some Christians and buried with
honour.

The defeated Emperor passed final sentence on the Saint. He was to he beheaded and his body was to he cremated. The Saint was taken and
tied to an olive tree. As the soldier raised his sword to behead the Saint, the sword melted as if it were made of wax. The soldiers fell to their
knees and admitted their beliefs in Christ. The Saint prayed for them and forgave them for their sins. A voice came from heaven, saying to
Pantoleonta that all he had asked for had been granted and that from this time on he would he known not as Pantoleonta, but as Panteleimon
(All-merciful). He forced the soldiers to behead him so that he could receive the crown of martyrdom. After kissing the Saint, the soldiers
beheaded him. St Panteleimon gave his life for Christ on 27 July 304 AD. It is said that the olive tree to which he was tied, immediately
bloomed and brought forth fruit. Hearing of this, the Emperor ordered that the tree be cut down and that the body be burned. The soldiers,
however, did not return to the palace. They and other Christians, took the holy body and buried it. The body was anointed with myrrh and
buried outside of the city in the Place of the Scholar Adamantinos.

Saint John of Damascus informs us that the remains were transported to Constantinople, however, in the 12th century they were removed by
the Crusaders. Saint Panteleimon is often asked by faithful Christians to aid them in times of sickness. He is believed to take special interest in
those who are crippled. He is considered equal to the Benevolent Saints Cosmas and Damianos.

                                                                                       by Christina Dedoussis