Saint Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was born in Nicomedia to a pagan father, Eustorgius, and a Christian mother, Evvula. After the death of his mother, he was sent to a pagan school and trained in medicine. Having become a renowned physician, he healed a blind man, which led to his baptism. After this, Panteleimon began to heal the sick, selflessly helping those in need.
Due to the envy of other physicians, he was denounced to Emperor Maximian, who tried to force him to renounce Christ. The saint, not yielding to threats, healed a paralytic in the presence of the emperor. For this, he was subjected to cruel tortures but remained unharmed. During his execution, he prayed and was strengthened by the appearance of Christ.
The saint was thrown to be torn apart by wild beasts, but they did not touch him. Eventually, the emperor ordered his head to be cut off. After the execution, milk flowed from the wound, and the olive tree to which the saint was tied bloomed. His body remained uncorrupted and was buried by Christians.
The memory of the saint is celebrated on July 27. In Nicomedia, on this day, a procession is held with his icon, and many are healed through the saint's prayers. The holy relics of Panteleimon have spread throughout the Christian world, especially on the Holy Mountain Athos, where his head is kept.
