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[[Image:Panteleimon.jpg|right|frame|St. Panteleimon]]
[[Greatmartyr]] '''Panteleimon''' (or ''Pantaleon'') the [[Unmercenary]] Healer was [[martyr]]ed under the reign of Emperor Maximian (ca. 305 A.D.).  His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[July 27]].

==Life==

His parents were Eustorgius, a pagan, and [[Saint]] Eubula ([[March 30]]).  They named him ''Pantaleon,'' which means ''in all things like a lion,'' but when he [[conversion|converted]] to Christianity, he changed his name to ''Panteleimon'', which means ''all-merciful.''  He learned about Christianity from the [[priest]] who later [[baptism|baptized]] him, Saint Hermolaus.  Hermolaus was living with two other priests, Hermippus and Hermocrates; the three were "survivors of the massacre of 20,000 Christians in 303 ([[December 28]])."{{ref|1}}

St. Panteleimon had been educated as a physician, and he "dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them in the name of [[Jesus Christ]]. He visited those held captive in prison. These were usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. In a short time, reports of the charitable physician spread throughout the city. Forsaking the other doctors, the inhabitants began to turn only to St. Panteleimon."{{ref|1}}

Other physicians brought his case before the Emperor Maximian.  St. Panteleimon confessed to being a Christian and refused to offer sacrifice to the state gods.

:"[He] suggested that a sick person, for whom the doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emperor. Then the doctors could invoke their gods, and Panteleimon would pray to his God to heal the man. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave St. Panteleimon over to fierce torture."{{ref|1}}

Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates were brought forth; they confessed and were beheaded.  Throughout the many tortures, St. Panteleimon remained untouched.  Enraged, Maximian ordered that St. Panteleimon be beheaded.  The soldiers took him to an olive tree, but when they struck him while he was praying, the sword melted like wax.  After he finished his prayer, "a Voice was heard from Heaven, calling the [[passion-bearer]] by his new name and summoning him to the heavenly Kingdom."{{ref|1}}  He instructed the soldiers to rise from their knees where they had fallen in fear and to complete the execution.  After they followed his instruction, the olive tree became covered with fruit.

Although his body was thrown into a fire, it came out unharmed and was buried by Christians.  Some of his [[relics]] may be found at the [[Putna Monastery (Bucovina, Romania)]], as well as in the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Constanţa, Romania; his head is located at [[St. Panteleimon's Monastery (Athos)]].  

"St. Panteleimon is invoked in the prayers at the blessing of water and the blessing of oil, together with St. Hermolaus and the other unmercenaries and [[wonder-worker]]s."{{ref|2}}  There is an [[Akathist]] hymn in his honor.

==Hymns==
[[Apolytikion]] (Third Tone){{ref|3}}

:Panteleimon, saintly champion and healer,
:[[intercession|intercede]] with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins.

[[Kontakion]] (Plagal of the First Tone or Fifth Tone)

: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."

==External Links and Sources==
{{note|1}} [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102099 Holy Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon] (Orthodox Church in America website) 

{{note|2}} [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/panteleimon.htm Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon] (FatherAlexander.org)

{{note|3}} [http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=143 Panteleimon the Great Martyr] (Greek Archdiocese website)

*[[wikipedia:Saint Pantaleon|Saint Pantaleon]] (Wikipedia)
*[http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=102099 Holy Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon (hymns)] (Hymns from Orthodox Church in America website)
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447a.htm Saint Pantaleon] (Catholic Encyclopedia at [http://newadvent.org NewAdvent.org])
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/pds10.htm Icon of St. Panteleimon with scenes from his life]

[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]


[[es:Pantaleimon]]