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 ST. PANTELEIMON
St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr was born in the third century A.D. at Nicomedia in Asia Minor. His father was an idolater and endeavored to rear his son in the ethnic and pagan mores of the day. His mother, on the other hand, was a Christian, but died when Panteleimon was a young boy.
Panteleimon was educated in pagan schools, as was customary,and later studied medicine and became a physician. One day Panteleimon met Hermolaos, a respected priest of the Christian Church. Hermolaos instructed Panteleimon in the Christian faith; Panteleimon became a believer and, stortly after, was baptized. When his father died Panteleimon emancipated their slaves and distributed his father’s estate among the poor.He became a distinguished physician and was sought after by many who were ill. Not only did Panteleimon attend to their illnesses; he also instructed them in the Christian faith and succeeded in converting many of. them.
Other physicians grew jealous of Panteleimon and accused him of being a Christian. (The Christian Church was still under persecution.) The Emperor Maximian tried to persuade Panteleimon to renounce Christ and to sacrifice to the heathen gods. Panteleimon refused and was sent away by the Emperor for torture. But Panteleimon still refused to be persuaded. The Emperor then ordered that Panteleimon be beheaded. Christians and others who had been healed by Panteleimon claimed his body and gave it a Christian burial.
St. Panteleimon is considered to be the protector of the sick. He intercedes on behalf of the sick that the Great Physician Himself, our Lord Jesus, may heal and strengthen them. His feast day is celebrated each year on July 27.
 TROPARION OF SAINT PANTELEIMON
"Holy and Victorious Panteleimon the Healer, intercede with our merciful God that He may grant us the remission of our sins."
KONTAKION (COLLECT) OF SAINT PANTELEIMON
"You emulated God’s mercy, and He granted you the power of healing, 0 Panteleimon, victorious martyr of Christ. Heal our spiritual diseases through your intercession, and as we constantly cry out to the Lord, ‘Save us!’ take away the temptations which the enemy always places before our steps."
PRAYER IN TIME OF ILLNESS
Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior and Healer of my ills, spiritual and physical, You became man and suffered; You were crucified and died to save me. In your compassionate love for man You heal all manner of illness; come at this time of crisis and grant me the strength I need that I may bear my pain with Christlike endurance. Bless my mind and heart. Guide my physician’s hands and bless those who endeavor to heal me as well as all who are ill.
Blessed Lord, You who by the Apostle Paul, your Apostle to the Gentiles, proclaimed to men that "Your strength is made perfect in time of illness," make this "strength in time of illness" a source of faith for me, a torrent of love, a sea of hope.
Restore to me my physical well-being; forgive me my transgressions. Let my sins not provoke Divine retribution. Help me repent for whatever evil I have committed or thought. Teach me to love You and my fellow man. Enable me to become a communicant of your Divine Mysteries.
 A PRAYER FOLLOWING RECOVERY (CONVALESCENCE)
Almighty and most Gracious Lord, the source of life and of all god things; may Your holy Name be blessed and glorified. From the depth of my heart I thank Your Divine Goodness for restoring me to good health. I implore You and ask for Your grace from above that my life from this moment on may be a continuous witness of faith, an Orthodox way of life.. Enable me to become a living member of Your Church and to do Your holy will at all times, through the prayers of Your most pure Mother and of all Your Saints.
Amen. |
