On 9 August, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Panteleimon (St Pantaleon), an unmercenary doctor and holy martyr who practised medicine in the name of God with love and mercy for his patients. His name is dear to all who have ever struggled with sickness. He worked many miracles in his lifetime and beyond, but the greatest miracle of all that made possible all the rest was his meeting with God.
Like many Christians today, he met God even though most circumstances of his life were against it. He lived seventeen centuries ago when faith in Christ was not only unpopular but dangerous. The authorities of the Roman empire persecuted Christians and instigated violence against them from their fellow citizens. The worst massacre of Christians happened in his lifetime in 303 when 20,000 faithful perished.
His mother, Saint Eubola, was a Christian but died early. His father, a Pagan, was preparing him for worldly success. He wanted his son to live up to his birthname Pantoleon, which means "lion in everything". For that, he cultivated in him the virtues of a good Roman citizen – ambition, decisiveness, determination and desire for achievement.
When his son was old enough, his father sent him to medical school. His teachers were the empire’s best doctors. He was a top student. The Emperor noticed him before he even graduated and offered to make him his personal physician. With an excellent job offer in his pocket, the young man could look forward to a brilliant career and a secure future.
In his practice of medicine, he was having conversations about Christ with his Christian patients. But his conversion happened as he was helping a boy bitten by a venomous snake. He had used his best potions and tried every cure. His expertise was useless. The boy was dying. Tearful, he prayed to the Lord and, marvellously, the Lord answered his prayer. The boy recovered, the snake fell dead, and Pantoleon believed in Christ.
At baptism, he took the name Panteleimon, which means "all-merciful". His practice of medicine changed. He visited prisoners and treated their wounds. He went to the slums to heal the poor and indigent. He helped everyone in need out of pure love, without receiving anything in return. An unmercenary, he was fulfilling Christ’s commandment of love: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). He worked in His name, and was empowered. He was helping patients that other doctors could not, and he illuminated people’s hearts with God’s love, bringing many to believe.
His martyrdom was his ultimate way of witnessing for Christ. He endured unimaginable sufferings. He prayed to Christ with unwavering faith and found healing for his wounds. He bore the passions of his tormentors and prayed for them all the time. Observing his steadfast faith, thousands believed in Jesus. Even the executioners who beheaded him converted.
Saint Panteleimon is one of the most beloved saints in our part of the world. His icons are present in almost every Orthodox church and home. Orthodox doctors keep them on their tables. Soldiers turn to him for protection from harm and recovery from their battle wounds.
At Saint Elisabeth Convent, we invoke Saint Panteleimon’s name in our prayers as we pursue our ministry among hospital patients and the disabled. We ask for their recovery in the body and spirit. We pray for the healing of their wounds in their spiritual struggle. We dream that everyone will live the miracle of meeting God like Saint Panteleimon did in his life.