The icon of Saint Panteleimon dates back to the 18th century and comes from an old monastery of Mount Athos, which was located northeast of the present-day Monastery of Saint Panteleimon. The icon is placed in the church of the Holy Protection of Theotokos. In the Katholikon we can also find a later icon of the Saint, as well as his holy casket. His name “Panteleimon” derives from the Greek words “παν” and “ελεήμων” which means the one who cares and shows mercy for everyone.
The first monastery has been demolished after a severe fire that broke out in the late 18th century. The monks were moved to the seaside monastery that was dedicated to the Ascension of Jesus. While transferring, they brought together with them the holy icon of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. However, it was miraculously returned to its original position. This incredible event was repeated several times. After the new monastery was built, the icon was initially placed in the Katholikon and then in the church of the Holy Protection of Theotokos.
In the 19th century the monastery was designated by the Patriarch as a commune. Hieromonk Savvas, from the retreat of the Monastery of Xenophontos, was the first abbot.
The Saint is depicted according to the iconographic type of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. He holds a box in his left hand and a small spoon in his right hand, at chest level. He is young and beardless, with wavy brown hair.
On the silver frame there are 14 small images related to his life and martyrdom. Scholars have distinguished the bellow depictions:
1. Saint Panteleimon stands before the Emperor Maximianos,
2. The Saint while learning the science of medicine,
3. The Saint converts to the Christian faith with the blessings of Fr. Ermolai,
4. The Saint resurrects a dead child bitten by a snake,
5. The Saint is baptized by Fr. Ermolai,
6. The Saint heals and helps the poor,
7. The Saint heals a blind man,
8. The Saint confesses his faith and heals a paralytic before the emperor,
9. The Saint tied to a pillar is tormented by the stake,
10. The Saint is thrown into a boiling cauldron,
11. The body of the Saint is thrown into the sea,
12. The body of the Saint is given to wild animals,
13. The Saint is tortured in a wheel,
14. The Saint is beheaded.
There are more than one miracles that have been performed by the Saint, who made his presence, care and protection obvious to the monks of the monastery. Saint Panteleimon has twice saved the monastery from fires that broke out in the surrounding forests. Moreover, in 1809, in Constantinople, Saint Panteleimon's cart saved the translator of the Sultan and later ruler of Wallachia, Scarlato Callimachi, from an incurable disease. In gratitude for his treatment, he made great donations that allowed the construction of new buildings in the monastery. The patron Saint Panteleimon has actively participated in the life of the monks, who praise and glorify him.
