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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THE MARTYRDOM OF SAINT PANTELEIMON THE GREAT MARTYR (Part II)
As for the abominable pagan priests and the ineffective doctors, they clung to their disbelief. They went to the emperor and said, "We adjure you by the immortal gods, O emperor, do not let this fellow Pantaleon live another hour longer. Let him begone lest he should eradicate our religion; for the Christians will grow strong against us."
The emperor listened to this advice. He summoned Pantaleon (Panteleimon) and attempted to bait him with words of peace, thinking in this manner to make him conform to his will. Since Maximian, the emperor was unable to persuade him with either blandishments or threats, he began his punishment with the application of instruments of torture. First, they suspended Panteleimon upon a wooden pole, where they lacerated and flayed his flesh with iron nails. This painful torture was followed by the application of fiery torches that badly burned his sides and wounded members. While the shredded and charred body of the Holy Martyr was subjected to these torments, his mind was fixed upon the One, the Christ, Who was able to bestow aid. As he directed his gaze heavenward, Panteleimon was entreating the Lord noetically. The Lord heard him and came to him, before Panteleimon's eyes, to that same hour. "Cease fearing, my child, for I am with you. I am, indeed, your helper in all your sufferings for My sake." Together with those words, there also came to pass a demonstration of deeds of power. Immediately, the hands of the soldiers executing the torture became paralyzed. The torches were extinguished. The wounds of the Saint were healed.
The pagan emperor commanded now the preparation of a large cauldron filled with molten lead. A blazing fire was kindled underneath it. The Holy Martyr was pithed inside. Saint Panteleimon, having again resorted to prayer at his comfort and consolation which was no small help, began to utter, "Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication and consolation to Thee, rescue my soul from fear of the enemy" (Psalm 63:11) -- and the rest of the psalm. As he poured for these words once more the unearthly doctor was granted a vision of Christ in the figure of Hermolaos. It was seen that the Lord, in the form of Hermolaos, entered into the midst of the cauldron with Panteleimon. The fire was instantly extinguished and the molten lead became cool. The pagan emperor, however, hardened and insensible, did not or would not comprehend that these prodigies were wrought by the mighty and True God. The emperor was advised by bystanders to tie a large rock about the Holy Martyr's neck and cast him into the sea. Maximian ordered the execution of this punishment. While the soldiers hastened to expedite the command. God, once more, provided His servant with help.
The men took hold of the Saint and plunged him, with the heavy rock, into the sea. Christ appeared to him again, causing that weighty mass to become as light like a tree leaf so that it floated and bobbed on the waters. Panteleimon exited the waves and came onto the shore, healthy and unharmed. Maximian abided without conscience and sense. His hardened heart did not soften in the least before such wonder-workings. Instead, he resumed the punishments. This time that beast, more ruthless than the irrational creatures, ordered that the martyr be hurled into the arena with wild animals.
The entire city heard this pronouncement. They all converged to have a look at the handsome and noble young man, who, though guiltless of any crime against society, was about to become prey for beasts. When they gathered in the amphitheater, the emperor took his place on a lofty throne, set in a high spot that he might view the spectacle better. The holy man stood in the midst of the arena. But he was not in the presence of irrational and ferocious beasts, but creatures that were like those who are possessed of reason and self-control. With much deference and gentleness, as they wagged their tails, they licked the feet of the Saint. When the crowd beheld this scene they marveled. They began to cry out all together in one voice: "Great and True is the God of the Christian! Let the righteous man go free!"
The cruel emperor then devised a wheel, large enough onto which the Saint's limbs were stretched and tied. This hideous instrument of torture sought the worst mutilation for the victim. When the wheel was rolled down a high hill with Panteleimon affixed was the spokes and felly, the wheel as it turned round and round would twist and shatter the victim's limbs. The time arrived and the wheel with its martyric passenger was rolled down the hill. The wheel, guided by the Angels of God, then came to a halt at the bottom where the people were waiting. The saintly rider was miraculously loosed from his fetters and stood aright without a trace of injury, glorifying and blessing God.
The Holy Martyr, now a prisoner, was to have his head removed. The soldiers, therefore, escorted the brave-hearted man to the site of execution. Saint Panteleimon could only fathom entering into joy and gladness upon exiting from this present world's frenzied strife and life of affliction and weariness, for which opportunity for martyrdom he gave voice to by reciting this verse: "Many times did they make war upon me from my youth; and indeed, they were not able to prevail over me" (Psalm 128:2). An extraordinary and wondrous sign then soon occurred, after the executioner bound Panteleimon to an olive tree. The heathen headsman drew his sword in order to sever the confessor's head. But lo, the miracle! The blow was blunted when the cutting edge of the sword began to melt like wax. The other soldiers standing by were startled at the terrifying sight, so that they went to their knees and exclaimed, "We believe that Christ is the True God. We beseech thee not to be angry with us, O Panteleimon, but rather do thou forgive us and entreat Christ that He would accept our repentance."
Saint Panteleimon then emboldened the soldiers, exhorting them not to cow but to fulfill the imperial order of his execution. They first demonstrated their love and reverence toward him, by ardently kissing his hands and feet. After this show of unfeigned respect and affection, they severed his honorable head on the 27th day of the month of July, in the year 305 A.D. God, Whose will it was to glorify even the earthly end of His servant Panteleimon, showed forth another miracle. When Panteleimon's precious head was separated from his body, there flowed milk instead of blood. The olive tree which was previously dry and withered immediately blossomed forth with broad dark green leaves, white flowers, and edible olive fruit.
Now, after the martyric death of Saint Panteleimon, some Christians came and took up his holy relics. They were laid to rest after the reverent application of myrrh and incense. The grave was situated outside of the city in a place called Scholastikos Adamantinos.
This account, O brethren in Christ, is the account of the martyrdom of the wonderworkings of the most glorious and unmercenary healer Panteleimon, which were recorded succinctly. For who is able to tell of his contests sufficiently and worthily, especially since he suffered every kind of punishment which he exposed as impotent?
Portions of the holy relics of the Great-Martyr Panteleimon were distributed throughout the world. His venerable head is now located at the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon on the Holy Mountain. Saint Panteleimon, after his repose, worked a multitude of cures for diverse illnesses and demonic possession. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Holy Orthodox Church)
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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