The son of noble and pious parents from the city of Thessalonica, he became a Christian despite persecutions. His father, who secretly believed in Christ, baptized him in a hidden church. Upon reaching adulthood, he became the ruler of the Thessalonian region, where he began to profess the Christian faith and convert pagans. King Maximian, learning of his activities, imprisoned him in a dungeon, where the saint prayed and was visited by an angel who foretold his martyrdom.
During the games, the young man Nestor, inspired by Dimitri, fought against the wrestler Lyas and won, for which he was executed. Saint Dimitri was pierced with spears in the dungeon, and his body was secretly buried by Christians. His robe, soaked in blood, healed the sick.
After the persecutions, a church was built over the saint's grave, where miracles occurred. A nobleman, having been healed, built a new church. The saint appeared and forbade the separation of part of the relics but allowed the taking of the shroud. He also appeared during a famine, commanding ships with wheat to sail to Thessalonica.
During the siege of the city by enemies, the saint appeared to the archbishop and prayed for the protection of the city. By his prayers, the enemies retreated, and the city was saved. The saint also appeared to the captives who had been taken to Thessalonica, and they glorified him. Many miracles occurred from his relics, and he continued to protect his believers until the end of time.
