My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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ON JULY 27th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE GLORIOUS-MARTYR AND UNMERCENARY HEALER PANTELEIMON
Panteleimon, the glorious Great-Martyr, flourished during the years of emperor Galerius Maximian. Panteleimon hailed from the city of Nicomedia. He was born there circa 284 A.D. He was the son of a pagan physician, named Efstorgios. His mother, named Evoulee, came from Christian lineage. As much as Efstorgios depended on the idols to affect cures, so much was Evoulee's love and eagerness heightened toward the Orthodox Faith. She brought up their child, whom they named Panteleimon (meaning "a lion in all"), not only with what was necessary for the body but more so with what was needful for the soul. She would instruct and exhort him in the Faith handed down by Christ. Within a few years, however, the blessed Evoulee reposed. Panteleimon was sent to school, studying first the basic curriculum and then undertaking those subjects integral to Greek education. When he was taught sufficient knowledge, his father apprenticed him to a splendid doctor of that time, named Ephrosynos, that Panteleimon might gain experience in medical science. The young man, on account of his quick mind, surpassed his fellow students.
Panteleimon possessed a handsome countenance. His manner of speech was sweet and soft-spoken. His figure was modest and average. He was a man of excellence with a well-ordered mind. Emperor Maximian, who saw him one day when he accompanied Ephrosynos to the palace, asked after the young man. He learned from Panteleimon's teacher of the apt pupil's dexterity and genius. He was impressed with his demeanor and speech. So pleased was the emperor that he commanded Ephrosynos to instruct Panteleimon as much as possible that he might become the ultimate doctor for his palace. At the same time, in the year 304 A.D., the saintly Hermolaos, the priest of the church at Nicomedia, was in hiding. He was concealed in a house with other Christians for fear of the pagan emperor. Since Ephrosynos' surgery and home were in the same neighborhood, the Christians observed the goodly young man coming and going to read his lessons at his tutor's clinic. Hermolaos discerned that the young man was modest in is deportment. He perceived that his soul was replete with goodness and innocence. The Lord led him to understand that "this one is a vessel of election to Me, to bear My name before the nations, and kings..." (Acts 9:15), as it was once said of the holy Apostle Paul who was then Saul. Hermolaos desired to make the attempt to catch Panteleimon in a dragnet for the Kingdom of the Heavens. The priest, therefore, opened the door of the house and cordially invited the young man inside for a conversation. Panteleimon obliged the venerable elder. The youth was straightforward in his responses. He added that his late mother had been a Christian, but his father was a pagan. Hermolaos interjected, "But thou, child, which religion dost thou love better?" Panteleimon answered, "When my mother was alive, she was always exhorting me to become a Christian when I came of age, which was also my desire as well. But when my mother reposed in my early childhood, leaving me alone with my father, it was he who insisted that I abide in his religion. For it was his ambition that I should honor the emperor." Hermolaos said the Panteleimon the True God is one: Jesus Christ. If you will believe in Him with all your heart, He shall heal every disease without the application of any medicinal herbs or botanicals. By His grace, He cleanses lepers, delivers demoniacs, stanches hemorrhages, and heals other implacable and incurable illnesses. Christ said that the one who believes in Him shall do greater works than He because He would be going to His Father. He promised these and other gifts to His children who love Him. For we, as heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, would be made heirs of His Kingdom."
Panteleimon, hearing these promises, sensed an abundance of joy in his heart. He judged that all he heard was true and just. Panteleimon expressed his thanks for the counsel rendered by Hermolaos. Then one day, as the young man was coming from his tutor, he encountered a child in his path. The young boy lay dead on the ground, being a victim of a venous snake bite. The reptile was still poised in an upright position over the child. Panteleimon, observing this scene, brought to mind the words spoken by Hermolaos who previously cited the Gospel passage of Christ's words: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; freely ye received, freely give" (St. Matthew 10:8). He also remembered the Lord's promise: "Behold, I give you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy; and nothing in anywise shall injure you" (St. Luke 10:19). Panteleimon said inwardly, "If Christ should fulfill this request of mine, that is, if He should resurrect the child slain by the serpent, I would ask for no further demonstration. I will believe all the teachings that the honorable elder has imparted to me. Moreover, I am going to become a Christian this instant." Panteleimon, straightway, uttered a prayer. At that same moment, the child rose up as though he had been sleeping. Panteleimon then observed how the viper was suddenly sundered before his eyes and utterly destroyed.
Panteleimon, true to his word, believed with all his soul and heart in the Christ. He was delighted to raise his soul and bodily eyes heavenward, as he uttered words of glorification and praise to the Lord. He recounted all that transpired, after which he sought to be illumined in holy Baptism. Gladly did Father Hermolaos baptized him, after which he had the newly illumined Panteleimon commune the Master's body and blood. The priest also taught him the mysteries of the Truth of our Faith.
The Great Persecution in April of 304 A.D. culminated in a final edict commanding all Christians, clergy and laity alike, to offer sacrifice, on pain of death. There was found a certain Christian among the confessors, who was punished brutally for his religion by the ungodly pagan emperor Maximian. Since Panteleimon frequented the prisons in order to offer medical services, he healed this man from wounds received during torture. It was not long before this piece of intelligence was reported to Maximian who was told: "Your Majesty, did you know that Panteleimon, whom you greatly admired and encouraged to study to become an accomplished physician that he might receive the appointment as the royal physician, has no fear now of your imperium's great power or authority. He gives no thought to your friendship or love.
Emperor Maximian was profoundly sorrowed to hear the allegations and summoned the saintly physician before him. Panteleimon hearkened and went along the road to the palace, praying these words of the whole psalm that begins with these words: "O God, my praise do not pass over in silence; for the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the deceitful man are opened against me" (Psalm 108:1). When he arrived at the palace, the emperor commenced the interrogation and said: "I have heard many unseemly reports regarding you, Panteleimon. I have heard it said that you insult and disdain Asklepios and the other deities, preferring to believe in the Christ and saying that Jesus alone is God. However, I know this also: oftentimes contenders are moved to jealousy and speak falsehoods of their rivals. Surely many others aspire to be appointed as court physician. It is for this reason that I have invited you here to offer a sacrifice. In this way shall I learn the truth about your religious persuasion." The holy physician answered, "Command your men to bring forward someone who is infirm, someone who is suffering from an incurable disease. Then let your priests come forth and call upon as many gods as they please. Afterward, I shall make an entreaty to my God, invoking Him to heal the sufferer for which cure you will be a witness. The Deity that grants healing, we shall name as the one and Only True God, whereas the others are to be despised as imposters."
These words pleased the emperor. He, therefore, gave orders and his men brought a man who was paralyzed. The quadriplegic was borne aloft on his bed since he was unable to move a limb. The pagan priests lifted up their voices, shouting aloud their unholy petitions. They invoked their deities for a very long while but was realized that nothing was going to come from the cries of the pagan priests, the emperor prompted Panteleimon to supplicate his God. Saint Panteleimon raised his eyes heavenward, together with all his mind, reciting the words of this psalm: "Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, and let my crying come to Thee. Do not ever turn away Thy face from me; in whichever day I may be afflicted, incline Thine ear to me (Psalm 101:1). Panteleimon took hold of the paralytic's hands, addressing him with these words: "In the name of the Christ, Who restores the enfeebled, rise and walk about." Straightaway, with that word of command, the paralytic rose up and walked about eagerly and gladly. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
(To be continued)
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THE DIVINE SERVICES ON MONDAY, JULY 27th:
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George