Saint Panteleimon: the life of the great martyr, meaning and how the icon helps

Life of the Holy Great Martyr

Saint Panteleimon lived a short life and died on the orders of a persecutor of Christians in 303 after the Nativity of Christ.

Childhood and origins of the healer

The Healer's biography begins in Nicomedia, the most important city in the western part of the Roman Empire, located on the shores of the Sea of Marmara, not far from Constantinople. After the Turkish conquest, the cities were renamed Izvit and Istanbul.

The boy was born into a rich family. The father was an adherent of paganism, the mother was a Christian. She died when Pantoleon (that was the name before the saint’s baptism) was very young.

Conversion to faith

Under the influence of his father, Pantoleon forgot about his mother's instructions. He grew up to be a kind, capable, handsome young man. The famous healer Euphrosynus became his mentor in the profession. A career as a court physician and a prosperous life—that’s what awaited Panteleon when he met Presbyter Ermolai. Christians were in the role of outcasts. By order of Emperor Maximian, believers in Christ were killed and burned. Ermolai, who escaped from the burning church, was hiding in Nicomedia. From him the young man learned about faith in One God.

Miracles of Healing

Pantoleon finally believed in Christianity after healing a child who was dying from a snake bite before his eyes. Not knowing how to help him, the young man turned to Jesus Christ in prayer. At that same moment, the snake was torn into pieces, and the baby became healthy and unharmed.

From that time on, the convert began to heal the suffering. For his kindness and dependability, they began to call him Panteleimon (all-merciful). He always added prayer to the Lord to his medical art, and a miracle of healing occurred.

Denunciation and torture

Panteleimon treated patients for free, which aroused hatred and envy among other doctors. The Emperor was informed about the Christian. Maximian tried to dissuade Panteleimon from his faith. When persuasion did not help, he ordered the refusal to be achieved by force. Torture was applied to the young man: they were burned with fire, thrown into wild animals, and drowned in the sea. But the Lord protected Panteleimon: neither hot iron, nor water, nor animals harmed him.

Miracles during the execution of a martyr

By order of Maximian, the young man was to have his head cut off. Tied to an olive tree, he began to pray to the Lord and heard a voice from Heaven that they were waiting for him in the Kingdom of Heaven. The sword in the executioner's hands became soft as wax. The guards, amazed by the miracle, believed in Jesus Christ and fell to their knees before Panteleimon, begging for mercy.

The Great Martyr ordered them to carry out the order of the emperor. When his head was cut off, blood and milk began to ooze from the wound. The body and head were thrown into the fire, but the heat did not touch the remains of the great martyr. Christians buried Panteleimon's body.

Death

By order of the emperor, they did not stop torturing the doctor. He was given to the circus to be torn to pieces by animals, but they did not dare to attack Panteleimon. Seeing this, the audience began to demand the doctor's forgiveness. In a rage, Maximian ordered the execution of everyone who praised the healer and the animals that did not kill him.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by FERAPONT ICON (@ikonaferapont) on Aug 9, 2018 at 1:12am PDT

Icon of the Great Martyr Panteleimon
The ruler dared to take a decisive step, ordering the head of the Great Martyr to be cut off. The doctor was brought to the olive tree and began to prepare for execution. Panteleimon read prayers, and every time the sword was supposed to plunge into the neck, the blade became soft and did not harm him. The soldiers who carried out the execution, seeing this, recognized God. The Lord appeared to Panteleimon and called his companion by the name that parishioners now know.

The cause of the healer's death was his own desire. He accepted the execution, and milk flowed from the wound from the sword along with blood. The olive tree on which the martyr was hanging began to bear fruit with healing berries. This made people around to believe in God. The saint's body was set on fire, but the flames did not touch him. Then the remains were buried not far from the place of execution.

What do they ask the saint for?

Even after death, the Holy Saint does not leave everyone who turns to him without support.

Invigorating

Saint Panteleimon helps if, as a result of physical decline, there is not enough strength to resolve urgent matters.

Improvement of poor health

They turn to the Healer when they feel unwell due to a cold or infection.

Staying healthy

People who do not have health problems pray to him so that their illnesses will go away.

Treatment of body and soul

Physical and moral ailments will go away after sincere prayers to the holy saint.

About giving faith and hope

In the appeal to Panteleimon they ask for moral support in order to achieve their goals in life.

Inspiration to work to save human life

The noble work of doctors, rescuers, and firefighters is hard and often dangerous.

Prayerful appeals to the saint give new strength to fulfill one’s duty.

Alleviating suffering

Prayer from the heart can reduce your own pain and that of loved ones.

Death of the Great Martyr Panteleimon the Healer

The life of the saint says that Saint Panteleimon was reported on by his colleagues - doctors, who began to lose patients because of him. Christianity at that time was still a persecuted religion in the Roman Empire, so he was accused of this.

Saint Panteleimon was arrested and tortured. However, he did not renounce Christ and accepted martyrdom.

Tradition has preserved the memory of the miraculous phenomena that occurred during the execution of the saint. He did not drown, although he was thrown into the sea with a stone tied to his body. And then, condemned to beheading, he also survived - the sword could not cut the martyr’s neck.

Realizing that he would die anyway, the saint prayed and asked the executioners to finish what was intended. As a result, he was nevertheless executed by beheading.

How to pray correctly

Before prayer, you need to purchase temple candles and place them in front of the icons of Our Lord, the Mother of God and St. Panteleimon. The prayer is said in one’s own words or according to church custom. Upon completion, you must cross yourself twice and kiss the hand or hem of the clothing depicted in the icon. After this, you are supposed to cross yourself again. At home, when praying in front of icons, they light candles blessed in the church.

The Akathist is read and listened to while standing, with the exception of sick people, turning their face to the icon of the saint. It can be said not only in church, but also at home, facing the sunrise. The Church explains it this way: it doesn’t matter where a person prays, the main thing is that prayer is in his soul.

Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos

On Holy Mount Athos in Greece there is a monastery consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Panteleimon - this is the Russian Panteleimon Monastery.

The monastery houses the incorruptible relics of the saint - its head.

Texts in Russian

Church services are held in Old Church Slavonic. Orthodox Christians can address their prayers in modern language.

Prayer service

The prayer service is performed by a clergyman at the request of a believer who has submitted a note about the health of himself or his family. Divine services are performed when a sick person suffers from unbearable pain and cannot overcome the disease.

It should be entitled “At a prayer service to St. Panteleimon.” Below are the words “about health”, with a list of names given at baptism. The most favorable day of remembrance for the saint is August 9. A prayer service in a temple consecrated in honor of Panteleimon will have a miraculous effect on the patient.

Oh, great saint of the Lord, great martyr and healer Panteleimon! The servant of God (name) calls to you, have mercy on him, hear his prayers, see his suffering, be merciful to him. Grant him the mercy of the Supreme Physician, the Lord God. Grant healing of soul and body. Drive away cruel torment, deliver from oppressive illness. Forgive his sins. Don't resist his wounds, pay attention. Show mercy and place your palm on his wounds. Give health to your body and soul throughout your entire life. We pray for the grace of God for the health of the body and the salvation of the soul of the servant of God (name).

Akathist

Akathist is a solemn hymn to Saint Panteleimon the Healer, in which they ask for help. The peculiarity of the prayer is its repeated refrain “Rejoice.” The Akathist is divided into several parts, each of which contains a kontakion and an ikos. Kontakion is a short introduction, ikos is a detailed address.

Kontakion 1

“O chosen passion-bearer of Christ and a gracious physician, grant healing to the sick; with songs we praise you, our intercessor. But you, since you have boldness in the Lord, free us from all troubles and illnesses, calling to you with love: Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Ikos 1

“You are the angel of earthly and heavenly man, O glorious Panteleimon: adorned with angelic purity and martyrdom, you moved from earth to Heaven, where you are with the angels and all the saints We stand before the Throne of the Lord of Glory, praying for us earthly ones who honor your titles:

Rejoice, lordship of piety; Rejoice, glorious lamp of the Church.

Rejoice, decoration of the most honorable martyrs; Rejoice, affirmation of the faithful in unwavering patience.

Rejoice, exceeding praise of youth; Rejoice, champion of Christ, undefeated in courage.

Rejoice, you who grew up in the world, who appeared in peace; Rejoice, angel in the flesh, superior to mortals.

Rejoice, all-blessed inhabitant of heaven; Rejoice, container of the Divine mind.

Rejoice, for your faith has been exalted; Rejoice, to whom deception has fallen.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 2

“Seeing you, the Lord has chosen a vessel, love your soul’s kindness. For you, having despised all earthly sweetness and glory, desired to be adorned with the crown of martyrdom, was wounded by Divine love, and with inspiration sang: Alleluia.”

Ikos 2

“Having a divinely inspired mind, O good warrior Panteleimon, you amazed King Maximian with the courage of your soul and words, in whom you boldly preached Christ. Moreover, your boldness is commendable, with the verb thy face:

Rejoice, despiser of Maximian’s threats; Rejoice, you did not submit to the advice of the wicked.

Rejoice, planting of true worship of God; rejoice, eradication

Rejoice, whistleblower of the fury of the tormentors; Rejoice, destroyer of idolatrous charms.

Rejoice, having dispersed the wicked congregations; Rejoice, thou who changeth the corruptible into the Heavenly.

Rejoice, interlocutor of the immaterial Angels; Rejoice, gleener of the long-suffering saints.

Rejoice, even Satan was put to shame; Rejoice, in whom Christ is glorified.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 3

“By the power of the Most High, bestowed upon you, and by your strong patience, you have weakened the tormenting insolence, the courageous victorious: fire, beasts, wheels, not being afraid and truncated at the head with a sword, defeating the crown You have received from Christ God, crying out to Him: Alleluia.”

Ikos 3

“Having your monastery, your all-loving head, O God-wise passion-bearer, like a great treasure, you are filled with joy in this and, chanting with love the grace of healing given to you from God, gratefully call you:

Rejoice, O all-bright lamp of Nicomedia; Rejoice, vigilant guard of the monastery who honors you.

Rejoice, since godlessness has grown cold; Rejoice, for the knowledge of God has matured.

Rejoice, bright glory of the passion-bearers; Rejoice, joyful Orthodox hearing.

Rejoice, source of grace-filled healings; Rejoice, reservoir of great gifts.

Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, sweetening the souls; Rejoice, for you help those who call on you. Rejoice, thou who hast given sight to the blind; Rejoice, you who have brought prosperity to the lame.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 4

“We are overwhelmed by the storm of thoughts of polytheism, the wicked king was embarrassed, seeing from the doctors who were envious of you that you were curing all kinds of incurable ailments in the name of Christ. We, with joy and glorification of the wondrous God in you, cry out to Him: Alleluia.”

Ikos 4

“Hearing the people of Nicomedia about your great compassion for the suffering and about free healing from all sorts of illnesses, everyone rushed to you, with faith in the healing grace existing in you, and accepting speedy healing from all diseases, glorifying God and greatness to you, the all-merciful healer his, calling you:

Rejoice, anointed with the world of grace; Rejoice, sanctified temple of God.

Rejoice, you surpass the wise in understanding; Rejoice, illuminating the thoughts of the faithful.

Rejoice, source of the Divine gifts and manifold mercies of the Lord for us; Rejoice, quick helper to those who suffer.

Rejoice, refuge for the overwhelmed; Rejoice, teacher of the lost.

Rejoice, healer of the sick; Rejoice, abundantly flowing healing.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 5

“The Lord will do a glorious miracle for you, when through His servant Ermolai He calls you into His wonderful light. Because of the greatness of the viper, the dead child, through your prayer to Christ, came to life and rose healthy. Having come to know the True God, the Giver of Life of all, with firm faith you cried out to Him: Alleluia.”

Ikos 5

“The blind see the light, which you touched with the invocation of the name of Christ, O glorious one. You were enlightened by Ermolai as a presbyter, having rejected your father’s polytheism, you adopted motherly piety, and you also enlightened your father. For this sake, for your sake, glorious saint of God and wonderful doctor, we cry:

Rejoice, you have great zeal for God; Rejoice, ever-burning fire of Divine love.

Rejoice, active listener of the sacred teachings of Ermolai; Rejoice, having followed the advice of your mother Evvula.

Rejoice, for you have given away everything so that you may receive Christ; Rejoice, conqueror of the love of the world through the love of God.

Rejoice, for instead of the sweet peace you accepted fierce suffering for Christ; Rejoice, for thou art a fellow-commoner of the Passion of Christ.

Rejoice, thou who triumphed over all passions; Rejoice, thou adorned with grace-filled dispassion.

Rejoice, fill the joy that flows to you; Rejoice, thou healest all by the grace of Christ.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 6

“The preacher of the truth appeared, a blind man enlightened by you in body and soul: like the blind man of the Gospel, he boldly confessed the Light of the True Christ before everyone, enlightening every man, the wicked king I and the gods of the pagans reproached, through the truncation of the sword, I went up to the unflickering light in Heaven to sing to God: Alleluia" .

Ikos 6

“Having presented yourself to the court of the king with a bright face, you boldly cried out, most blessed, in the hearing of all: “My all-healing power and glory is Christ, the True God, the Lord of all.” x, raise the dead and drive away all illnesses.” For such a confession, we please you with the verb: Rejoice, loud-voiced mouth of the Divinity of Christ; Rejoice, honey-flowing pagan, proclaim His economy.

Rejoice, thou of the greatest theology; Rejoice, wise sower of piety.

Rejoice, sweet-sounding pipe of faith; Rejoice, glorious preacher of Orthodoxy.

Rejoice, the wondrous one revealed before death; Rejoice, accomplish after death

Rejoice, spectator of the glory of Christ; Rejoice, listener of those who pray to you.

Rejoice, the giver of this mercy that requires it; Rejoice, I intercede good for those who honor your memory.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 7

“Myrrh was poured out on your soul, God-wise healer, from the Comforter of the Spirit; Moreover, after the death of your honorable remains, driving away the stench of your passions with the fragrance of your passions, they give healing to those who cry out in faith to God: Alleluia.”

Ikos 7

“When the worshipers saw the idolatry, they were weakened for many years, and by your prayer, O saint, many were raised up and walked, believing in Christ; The priests of demonism, consumed by envy, incited the king to rage. Since you mercilessly for Christ’s sake, who have been scourged and scorched, we call with tenderness:

Rejoice, you who despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, the greatest blessing of all things.

Rejoice, for you have counted all the red things of this world for nothing; Rejoice, for you have shaken off the fleeting glory from yourself.

Rejoice, elusive one who continues to catch Belial; Rejoice, victorious tormentor of deceit.

Rejoice, you who did not spare your life for Christ; Rejoice, enemy who has appeared to hostile flesh.

Rejoice, oppressed by polytheism; Rejoice, having trampled down idols by divine power.

Rejoice, sharpest arrow, piercing enemies; Rejoice, representative, intercessor of the believers.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 8

“The Lord appeared to you in a strange way, encouraging you and keeping you in torment for His name: in the form of presbyter Ermolai, a bubbling tin, you were cast into tenderness, cooled, and released into the sea and the great stone from your neck was brought unharmed to the earth. But when you presented yourself again before the king, you solemnly sang to Christ God: Alleluia.”

Ikos 8

“You are all settled in Heaven, and do not leave those who exist below on earth, being with us through your all-honorable head, the great passion-bearer of Christ, receiving from the Lord and giving enlightenment and sanctification The mercy of those who cry out to you is this:

Rejoice, filled with Divine wisdom; Rejoice, God's providence for us in the Mystery.

Rejoice, delight of God-wise minds; Rejoice, joy for God-loving souls.

Rejoice, most luminous bead of Christ; Rejoice, sanctified soul and body.

Rejoice, thou who dwellest in the palace of the firstborn in Heaven; Rejoice, dwelling in the ever-blessed devils.

Rejoice, light of the Trinity to the viewer; Rejoice, warm representative for us in prayers to God.

Rejoice, you who give enlightenment to souls; Rejoice, send down consolation to those who mourn.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 9

“Every nature will be amazed, Panteleimon, at the radiance of grace and wealth of virtues in you: your angel-like purity, great courage in fierce suffering, strong love for Christ and much compassion I speak to people, in which you do all the glory, and sing: Alleluia.”

Ikos 9

“Vityas of many things will not be able to adequately praise your struggles, O glorious good-winner, how by the invincible power of God the young one defeated the ancient and primordial enemy and put to shame the Ido flattering charm. We, the surprise of fulfillment, call to you:

Rejoice, joyful sight of angels; Rejoice, reverent surprise of people.

Rejoice, you who poured out blood for Christ and flowed milk in death; Rejoice, you who gave over your body to martyrdom for Him.

Rejoice, confession is the rule; Rejoice, good warrior of the King of kings.

Rejoice, victorious ruler of darkness; Rejoice, you have made those in heaven and earth glad with your victory.

Rejoice, blessed inhabitant of the high world; Rejoice, wise stranger from this world.

Rejoice, tree decorated with the fruits of grace-filled gifts; Rejoice, you bear branches of victory.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 10

“Filled with compassion, as a true imitator of the Giver of mercy of the Lord, an honest sufferer, you were named Panteleimon (that is, the all-merciful) from Him, for all the mercy that flows to you. I, too, pour forth endlessly for us, crying out to God for you: Alleluia.”

Ikos 10

“Your tormentor will find a solid wall, no matter how much torment you will overcome, who will try to crush your fortress with the teeth of beasts and the edges of the tormenting wheel, but in this nothing will succeed: the power of Christ Tame the ferocity of the beasts, and the terrible stake on which your body will be turned, and you will be contrite . To you, the invincible passion-bearer, we call:

Rejoice, honorable election of Christ; Rejoice, immaculate fragrance of God.

Rejoice, solid adamante of the Church; Rejoice, unshakable pillar, reach to Heaven.

Rejoice, tame visible beasts; Rejoice, destroying invisible dragons. Rejoice, stained with your blood for Christ, mixed with milk; Rejoice, unfading crowns.

Rejoice, thou who has caused joy by Angels and men; Rejoice, glorified by God in Heaven and on earth.

Rejoice, celestial dweller, rejoice with the martyrs; Rejoice, be satisfied with the sweet sight of Christ.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 11

“We offer the original hymn to your sacred slaughter for Christ, in which together with the blood the milk flowed from you, great martyr, and the olive tree, under which you were truncated, was filled with healing fruit ov. Moreover, to Christ, who marvelously glorifies those who glorify Him, we cry warmly: Alleluia.”

Ikos 11

“You were a luminous ray, God-wise, sitting in the darkness of polytheism, guiding you to the Sun of Truth, Christ God, to Him we pray, in the light of His commandments, we too may abide in the light of His commandments. worthy of you who offer:

Rejoice, bright star, shining on the mental firmament; Rejoice, ray of light, shining upon the people named after Christ.

Rejoice, mysteriously illuminated by the Sun of Christ; Rejoice, flow around the earth wisely.

Rejoice, red village of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, most honorable vessel, pouring out healing.

Rejoice, treasure of purity; Rejoice, namesake of mercy.

Rejoice, heir to the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, partaker of eternal glory.

Rejoice, representative of those who live in need in the sea; Rejoice, unmercenary, helping those who call you with faith.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 12

“You have received abundance of grace, O blessed one, because of the abundance of your love for Christ God. And also show you to be a multi-healing source, freely healing mental and physical illnesses that flow to you with faith and cry out to God: Alleluia.”

Ikos 12

“Singing your long-suffering deeds for Christ, glorious passion-bearer, we praise your long-suffering, we honor your martyrdom, we honor your sacred memory, our intercessor and healer, and in praise Sisevaya we call you:

Rejoice, harmonious trumpet of piety; Rejoice, sword, cut off wickedness.

Rejoice, you who were planed on the tree for stretching out your hand on the tree with the Cross; Rejoice, for we are scorched for Him; you extinguished the delights of the furnace.

Rejoice, you are vulnerable to your enemies; Rejoice, thou who hast dried up the idols' blood with thy blood.

Rejoice, thou cast into boiling tin for Christ; Rejoice, thou who was immersed in the waters of the sea for His name.

Rejoice, by the providence of God you remain unharmed in this place; Rejoice, for through fire and water of torment you entered into heavenly rest.

Rejoice, pour out endless streams of mercy to the faithful; Rejoice, compassionate doctor, gracious giver of healing.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 13

“O long-suffering and wonderful passion-bearer of Christ and our healer Panteleimon! We graciously accept this small offering from us, heal us now from various ailments and through your intercession save us from enemies, visible and invisible, and from eternal torment, that we may be delivered from the Lord, so that Let us sing to His kingdom: Alleluia.”

(This kontakion is read three times)

Ikos 1

Rejoice, lordship of piety; Rejoice, glorious lamp of the Church.

Rejoice, decoration of the most honorable martyrs; Rejoice, affirmation of the faithful in unwavering patience.

Rejoice, exceeding praise of youth; Rejoice, champion of Christ, undefeated in courage.

Rejoice, you who grew up in the world, who appeared in peace; Rejoice, angel in the flesh, superior to mortals.

Rejoice, all-blessed inhabitant of heaven; Rejoice, container of the Divine mind.

Rejoice, for your faith has been exalted; Rejoice, to whom deception has fallen.

Rejoice, great martyr and healer Panteleimon.”

Kontakion 1

Troparion, kontakion, magnification

Troparion, tone 3:
O holy passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon,/ pray to the Merciful God,/ that forgiveness of sins// may be granted to our souls.

Kontakion, tone 5:

This imitator of the Merciful/ and healing grace from Him is received,/ passion-bearing and martyr of Christ God,/ with your prayers of soul healed our ailments,/ drove away the ever-wrestling temptations from those who cry out in damn // thank you, Lord.

Greatness

We magnify you, / the passion-bearing holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, / and we honor your honest sufferings / which you endured for Christ.

Prayer

“A healing prayer, according to the clergy, will take effect if the patient listens to it 40 times. You can turn to Panteleimon with a prayer request about your health, your child, your family.”

About the child's health

“I turn to you in prayers, Panteleimon the Healer! Grant healing to my child, send him strength, touch his flesh, kiss his soul. Extinguish the blazing fire, tame passion, revoke weakness. Wake up the servant of God (name), raise him from his sick bed. Let the embittered bed let him go. May he be gifted with a church blessing. We submit to your will and expect mercy.”

About the health of relatives

“Great saint of the Lord, Panteleimon the healer! You heal the weak and glorify the believers. Heal my parents from bodily ailments, deliver them from enemies and illnesses. Protect them from evil people and from sinful diseases. I pray for health, thank you. Let it be so. Amen".

About your recovery.

“Oh, great saint of the Lord, great martyr and healer Panteleimon! The servant of God (name) calls to you, have mercy on me, hear my prayers, see my suffering, be merciful to me. Grant me the mercy of the Supreme Physician, the Lord God. Grant me healing of soul and body. Drive away cruel torment from me, deliver me from an oppressive illness. I bow my head low and pray for forgiveness of my sins. Don't resist my wounds, pay attention. Give me mercy, put your palm on my sores. Give health to your body and soul throughout your entire life. I pray for God's grace. I will repent and please, I trust God with my life. Great Martyr Panteleimon, pray to Christ God for the health of my body and the salvation of my soul.”

Greatness

Prayer of gratitude to Panteleimon the Healer after recovery, relief of suffering, consolation.

“Holy Great Martyr, healer and wonderworker Panteleimon, saint of God and eternal protector of Orthodox Christians! Worthy of being named Panteleimon, you are all-merciful, as, having received from God the grace to pray for us and heal illnesses, you generously give to everyone who turns to you various healings and everything necessary for temporary life and salvation. That is why we, unworthy, worthy of your mercy, again before your holy icon come running to you, and glorifying you as a sincere saint of God, our faithful prayer book and healer, we thank your zeal and the Giver of all the blessings of the Lord our God for great blessings, from It was given to us by you. Mercifully accept this small prayerful thanksgiving of ours, for we have no other way to reward you, and at another time in our life do not deprive us, weak and sinners, of your help and prayerful intercession with the Lord our God, to Him belongs all glory, thanksgiving and worship, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen".

Troparion

Translated from ancient Greek it means “melody”. The troparion sets the tone for church hymns; in its content, it is a brief summary of the service or doxology of the saint. “Holy passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon, pray to the Merciful God for the forgiveness of the sins of our souls.”

Kontakion

One of the genres of church poetry reveals the content of the troparion. Read in poetic form.

“Imitator of the Merciful and receiving grace from Him, passion-bearer and martyr of Christ God, with your prayers heal our spiritual ailments, drive away forever temptations from those who cry: save us, Lord.”

Miracles of Healing

The life of the saint was filled with miracles that the Lord performed through him.

The spiritual growth of Panteleimon was facilitated by the priest Ermolai, who held long conversations with Panteleimon and talked about the Lord, Christ and the Christian faith. The Lord soon decided to test the young man’s faith.

One day, returning from Ermolai, a young man saw a dead baby lying on the road, and next to him a coiled poisonous snake. Obviously, the echidna bit the child, and he died from poisoning. At first, the young man wanted to run away, because the snake could bite, but he overcame his fear and began to pray to the Lord for the resurrection of the child. The Lord answered the young guy’s request, and the child suddenly began to breathe, and the snake began to writhe and gave up the ghost.

Important! This became a supporting point in Panteleimon’s life - from now on he ceased to have doubts about the truth of the Christian faith and the omnipotence of God.

After baptism, Panteleimon decided to take up healing and many people began to come to him for help.

One day, a blind young man came to a healer for help. Panteleimon agreed to pray for the blind man, but his father was afraid of ridicule of his son and began to dissuade his son, because no one had ever succeeded in doing this. Nevertheless, the healer put his hands to the young man’s eyes and began to fervently pray to Christ. As soon as he finished, the young man opened his eyes and cried out - he was healed of blindness!

More Orthodox prayers for healing:

Prayer to Luke of Crimea
Prayer to Archangel Michael for health
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for healing

After this incident, the same former blind man and Panteleimon’s father became ardent Christians and began to worship Christ instead of pagan gods.

Life of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

After the death of his father, Panteleimon distributed all his inheritance to the poor and needy, and he himself continued to practice medicine, and also prayed for people and healed them.

Day of Remembrance

August 9 is the day of remembrance of St. Panteleimon the Healer.

Blood of St. Panteleimon in Madrid

After the execution of the saint, one Christian collected part of the blood in a glass vial. Until 1605, the relic was in the Vatican. Paul V gave the vial to the Viceroy of Spain, whose wife gave it for safekeeping to the royal cathedral monastery in Madrid in 1616, where her daughter was admitted.

Every year, on July 26 according to the Gregorian calendar, a miracle occurs (with the exception of 1914-1918, 1936): blood from a solid state turns into a liquid for a period of 42-49 days. Since 1993, it has been possible to watch the transformation only on television.

Where did Panteleimon the healer live?

The Roman Empire remained at that time the most powerful, rich and developed state on earth.

Saint Panteleimon the healer was born and lived in Nicomedia. Now this is the territory of Turkey, and the city itself is called Izmit.

This is roughly what Nicomedia looked like during the time of St. Panteleimon.

The Great Martyr Panteleimon is not the only saint who was killed in this city. Two years before his death, Gregory the Victorious was tortured here.

In total, the number of those killed in Nicomedia during the persecution of Christians is in the thousands. In Christianity there is even such a concept - “Nicomedia saints” - so great was the persecution of local Christians.

Holy springs in Russia

In Russia there are miraculous icons and relics of the Healer:

In Moscow:

in the Athos courtyard;
Church of the Resurrection of Christ;
Zachatievsky stauropegic monastery.

St. Petersburg:

Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ;
metochion of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Monastery.

Sestroretsk: Church of the Holy Great Martyr and St. Alexander of Constantinople.

Every Orthodox Russian church has icons of St. Panteleimon, in front of which you can pray, order a prayer service, or an akathist.

Saint Panteleimon: what helps

What do they pray to the healer Panteleimon? First of all, believers offer a prayer to the healer Panteleimon for healing from the disease. Even during his earthly life, Saint Panteleimon healed the sick. Through his prayer to God, a boy who was bitten by a snake was resurrected. There is also a known case of his healing a blind man.

The holy healer strengthens the spirit, calms and gives strength to the sick. Therefore, Christians turn to this saint for various diseases. Doctors consider the Great Martyr Panteleimon their patron.

Real examples of miraculous help

Descriptions of healings were collected by the Athos Russian Panteleimon Monastery, published in Moscow in 1903 and republished in 1996. The miracle of recovery occurred after praying to the saint or from oil brought from Mount Athos, from the temple of Panteleimon the Healer.

The portal contains true stories told by believers for the period 2012-2013:

Ksenia O. told how prayer helped cure a wisdom tooth and avoid its removal.
Olga T., thanks to her fervent prayers (three times a day for a month), recovered her son, who was diagnosed with an incurable disease.

The stories end with words of gratitude and praise to Panteleimon the Healer.

Miracles through prayers to Saint Panteleimon

In 2009, in the city of Graz (Austria), two twin daughters were born to the Orthodox priest Arseny Chernikin. One of the girls suffered a brain hemorrhage; the child was in intensive care in serious condition. Father Arseny called the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos with a request to pray to St. Panteleimon for the newborn. The next day, when my father came to the hospital, it turned out that the doctors stated the fact of complete healing.

In 2009, a Russian resident of Italy, Svyatoslav, went on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. Returning home, he brought with him the icon of St. Panteleimon. At that time, his wife Irina suffered from severe pain; medications did not help. On the eve of the Catholic Church's celebration of the Nativity of Christ on December 24, the woman suffered a severe pain attack. The doctor did not come for a long time. Then Svyatoslav began to pray to the holy healer. After some time the pain stopped. After this incident, Irina was completely healed.

The icon of St. Panteleimon the healer - its meaning for believers

In the miraculous image we see the great martyr with a casket and a small spoon in his hands. A healer stands before us, very young, with a bright look, full of love and compassion for all people. During his lifetime, he was a doctor and performed many miracles, curing human diseases with God's help and faith in his heart.

The best article for you, go to: Trubchevsk Icon of the Mother of God

This is how Panteleimon spent his life for the glory of God, treating and helping the suffering and disadvantaged. Even then, the young man, thanks to his faith, managed to heal a blind man and resurrect a dead child. Of course, this gift could not go unnoticed, especially in the eyes of the pagans.

By order of Emperor Maximilian, the saint was captured and subjected to painful torture for professing his Christian faith. Many people, and even the executioners themselves, seeing his devotion to the Lord and strong faith in Him, believed themselves. And the king, becoming furious, ordered the martyr’s head to be cut off and his body to be burned.

The miraculous help of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon in our days

On the eve of the day of remembrance of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon, we asked readers to share their stories about the miraculous help of this saint.

Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

Taras Lyuty “Once I was poisoned as a child”

When I was a child, this story happened to me. As I remember now: I was sitting on the sofa in the hall with a high fever and pain in my stomach - I was poisoned. The pills didn't help me and I felt really bad. I prayed, read the “Our Father” and other prayers, and then an icon of St. Panteleimon and his life caught my eye. Mom recommended reading a prayer to him, which I did. I read it with diligence and heartfelt attention, so much so that I even detached myself from everything that was happening around me. The child’s heart is pure, and therefore I was easily able to completely “immerse myself” in prayer.

No matter how usual it may sound, but after the prayer, read with attention and tears (I remember that I even burst into tears), IN ONE MOMENT the pain went away. The fever subsided and I immediately fell asleep. The next day there was no trace of the illness left. I have never seen anything like this anywhere. Now I always pray to Panteleimon when I am sick and ask him to help my family and friends. I advise everyone to pray to this wonderful saint more often.

God bless you.

Marina N. “At one time I suffered from warts”

In my life, the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon provided help more than once. I will describe one such case. At one time I suffered from warts. The warts grew and multiplied. In such cases, doctors advise cauterizing them with liquid nitrogen, but I did not find any long-term effect from this. I tried to find treatment on my own, bought medicine at the pharmacy, and turned to traditional medicine. But in vain. All this went on for several years.

The time came when I turned to the holy healer Panteleimon for help and asked him for help in healing. And well, just a few days later, a religious woman I knew gave me advice to buy some medicine for warts at the pharmacy. And although it cost a penny, it helped me immediately. The warts disappeared and did not appear again. So I was convinced that the saint heard the prayer, and healing came from above. But I no longer knew what remedy could help me: I saw how quickly they multiply and that after their removal scars remain, and after some time they grow back in the same place, and I no longer knew how to get rid of them.

Warts don't bother me anymore. God bless.

Veronica Shchetinina “The cheek is swollen: somewhere under the tooth pus has collected”

I would like to share a case of the miraculous help of St. Panteleimon. 5 years ago I was still living in Germany, in the city of Cologne, and was just starting to become a church member. I have a habit of reading the lives of saints every day on the Pravoslavie.Ru website. And so, then - 5 years ago - I read about the holy great martyr Panteleimon. It was Saturday evening. On Sunday after the liturgy, the parishioners of our church invited me to the Catholic church, where a particle of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon is located. Before that, I didn’t even suspect that there was such a shrine in the city where I live. It turns out that once a year - on August 9 - in this church the Russian clergy is allowed to serve a prayer service to the holy great martyr. They bring out the reliquary with the holy relics and everyone is allowed to venerate. Since then, I began to often visit the relics of the saint and honor his memory.

About 4 years ago the following happened to me. The tooth began to hurt badly. The dentist said that there was a pin in the tooth, and pus had formed under it. The pin was removed, the pus was cleaned, the doctor put medicine into the hole and filled the tooth. It was necessary to come in two or three for. The doctor warned: if it hurts, you need to endure it: that’s how it should be.

The next day my temperature rose and my cheek began to swell. The doctor on the phone said that if the cheek is swollen, it means that pus has accumulated somewhere. And that tomorrow you need to come to cut the cheek and release the pus. Moreover, anesthesia cannot be given in such cases: it will be even worse.

My husband and I began to read an akathist to Saint Pantelemon. And... already on the 3rd or 4th kontakion I felt liquid coming out of my mouth, and the swelling had decreased slightly. The Lord heard us through the prayers of Saint Panteleimon!

The night passed peacefully. The next day my husband and I went to the hospital. The doctor was shocked: the pus began to come out on its own in the most unexpected place, and all she had to do was install drainage. And after two days it was all gone.

Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, pray to God for us!

Tom Gilyazetdinova “My nephew’s temperature rose to forty”

Saint Panteleimon helped me a lot. Moreover, since I was baptized not so long ago, I still don’t know about many saints. One day we were going to visit relatives in the outback, and my nephew volunteered to go with us - to give us a ride and visit. The road was long, and of course we were very tired, especially him. When we arrived at our destination, it turned out that he had a very high temperature - almost forty.

My husband and I left for the city in the morning, and there I went to the nearest temple. The first thing I saw: a large icon of St. Panteleimon in the middle. She asked who it was, and, putting a candle for him, she prayed on her knees for her nephew’s health. In the evening I called him - he was almost healthy! I thank Saint Panteleimon, it was his help that saved my beloved nephew.

Olga Sidorova “I dislocated my knee and tore ligaments”

I really want to share my story, not even of help, but of salvation and, in fact, my path to the temple. This was in 2006. In the summer I vacationed in Sochi at the resort in Lazarevskoye. The holiday was out of season and I was bored. Here I must say that I have an old knee injury, which from time to time greatly hinders me, and there is no way to cure it. So, I’m relaxing on the coast, and on the way to the sea they sell tickets to various excursions. Their salesman kept advising them to go to the Abkhazian New Athos Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the healer Panteleimon, saying that people go there from all over the world to ask for health. Somehow I turned a deaf ear to all this, but I really wanted to go to Abkhazia: beautiful mountains, a gentle sea... I didn’t think about the holy place at all. When will such an opportunity arise again?..

My group and I ended up in this monastery, admiring the panorama of the sea opening from the foot of the mountain on which such a magnificent architectural monument is located. The guide tells us: “Go to the miraculous icon, it heals the sick. Attach a scarf and put it on when you get sick - Panteleimon will definitely help!” And I stand and think: “Why do I need all this? I'm already healthy! How can an item help me?

The next day it rained very heavily at the resort, it was very slippery, and I fell so hard that I dislocated my knee and tore ligaments. The doctors said we need to have an operation and cut off the joint (and this is a disability) - there is no other way out. I realized that Panteleimon was punishing me for my pride. I got to the room, cried, applied a rag from the miraculous icon, asked Panteleimon to help me, lay there and waited with all my might for a miracle... The miracle happened after six months of torment, when I found a doctor who agreed to help me. He told me to go to church and confess for the first time in 32 years of my life...

Of course, I don’t skate, but, thanks to the intercession of the healer Panteleimon, I did not become disabled!

Panteleimon healer, Pray to God for us sinners! Save us all, Lord!

Nika T.
“Be calm: Saint Panteleimon will intercede for you before the Lord.”
The Day of Remembrance of the Great Martyr Panteleimon is celebrated, I think, by everyone who is at least familiar with the name of this saint. They celebrate... some to a lesser extent - perhaps by simply smiling warmly upon hearing about today's date, others to a greater extent - by attending the Liturgy and receiving communion. I was not at the Liturgy on this day, but I will definitely read the akathist to the saint.

I do not have direct evidence of healing through the prayers of St. Panteleimon, because at the time when my only son was sick with a terrible disease, I prayed to everyone I could, about whom someone told me... And then, in 2002 , I wasn’t even baptized. But who should we look to for protection when medicine offers almost no chance of recovery?... So they ask - who is God, and who is all the “gods”... So I turned everywhere and to everyone, went to all the temples and churches where the door was open.

And on August 9 I happened to be in the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” on Bolshaya Ordynka. It “happened” - I walked in, seeing a temple along the way. I realized that it was a difficult day - there were a lot of people, and one of the icons was covered in flowers, and everything around was filled with flowers. I bought candles and asked the mother behind the counter who they pray to for the healing of the sick. She realized that I didn’t understand anything at all about religion, and answered: “To God. Well, since you are here, in this church, come up to the miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Well, since it’s such a day, go to the icon of St. Panteleimon the Healer, light a candle and ask with all your heart for healing.”

I did everything just like that, only, not being a Christian at that time, I started with Panteleimon the Healer, and his icon was the closest to the candle box. And as soon as I started to pray, tears rolled down in a stream... bitter, bitter. An old woman removing wax from candles noticed me, sobbing, and took pity: “Who is so sick, baby?” I told about my son. “Well, pray, pray, he, Panteleimon, will not leave you, since on such a day God brought you to church.” And at that moment, from the gladiolus with which the icon was decorated, one of the flowers, which was right above the face of the saint, falls right into my hands!!! Both the old lady and I were speechless. “What did I say! — joyfully crossing herself, the old woman chattered, “Now be calm, be patient, pray and wait — Saint Panteleimon will intercede for you before the Lord!”

You can imagine my feelings yourself - wings of hope behind my back. As a person ignorant of religion, although I went up to the miraculous icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and lit a candle for the Lord, from that moment and for a long time the gladiolus flower was a symbol and, as it were, a promise to me that my son would get better. And so it happened. I don’t know how and what helped his healing, but, not without the intercession of Saint Panteleimon, he recovered. Although... we were unbaptized then, despite the fact that I prayed to many saints.

A lot of time passed, and I became a Christian, that is, I passed the Sacrament of Baptism, but as a real Christian, that probably won’t be enough for me even in my life. Take, for example, my gratitude to Saint Panteleimon, who immediately answered me, unbaptized and many sinners! Although I often went to church after my son’s recovery, I often forgot to go up to the icon, light a candle with a prayer, and bow down! “After all, everyone is healthy,” I reasoned. And until recently she continued to rush past his icon, glancing briefly and nodding slightly.

And yet, pangs of conscience once made me wonder how those who are healthy pray to him. And this was a great discovery for me when, in the wonderful prayer of the Most Reverend Jeremiah the Hermit to him, I read how and what to pray to him for day and night. And then my bodily ailments, and my son’s in his current health, seemed to me just scratches in comparison with the ulcers of my sinful soul.

Ksenia Onova “They told me that I need to remove my wisdom tooth”

The holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon helped me a lot when I prayed to him for health! One day I had a very bad toothache. I went to the doctor and they told me that it was all about a “wisdom tooth” that was growing incorrectly and would have to be removed. But as it turned out, this is a rather difficult and traumatic procedure. I was terribly scared and began to read a prayer to Saint Panteleimon. In just a few days, the tooth stopped hurting, and I never had to remove it! I am very grateful to the saint for his help.

Glory to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon! Thank God for everything!

Olga Tullos “My son was diagnosed with an illness unexplained by doctors”

“Most Holy Great Martyr Pantelemon the Healer! For the sake of Christ, heal the servant of God <name> from all diseases, as you healed the boy from a snake bite. Amen!"

Our whole family read this prayer for the healing of my son about 12 years ago, when he was struck by an illness unexplained by doctors. Since the mother's prayer is especially powerful, I prayed several times a day, reading this prayer three times.

My son was healed, as if he had woken up from an illness! I always thank Saint Pantelemon for his help!