St. Pantaleon

Saint Pantaleon

Martyr

Pantaleon was born to a Christian mother and pagan father in the late third century. He became physician to the Roman Emperor himself, working in the heart of the pagan imperial court. Surrounded by such worldliness, Pantaleon soon apostatized, but a zealous priest named Hermolaus reawakened the physician’s faith and brought him back to the Church. Together they converted Pantaleon’s father not long before his death. In reparation for his apostasy, Pantaleon gave away all his inheritance to the poor and worked many cures, some miraculous, while refusing compensation. When the Emperor heard of the miraculous cures, he summoned Pantaleon, pagan priests, and an incurable paralytic, for a public test. The repeated efforts of the pagans had no effect, but at Pantaleon’s simple invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus, the paralytic arose and walked. Many conversions were instantly inspired in the crowd, and the authorities attempted to bribe Pantaleon to endorse idolatry in response. He refused, even in the face of numerous tortures, and was finally beheaded. As a patron of physicians and midwives, Pantaleon is venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 27th

AT Nicomedia, the martyrdom of St. Pantaleon, a physician. For the faith of Christ he was apprehended by the emperor Maximian, subjected to the torture and burned with torches, during which torments he was comforted by an apparition of our Lord. He ended his martyrdom by a stroke of the sword.

In the same city, St. Hermolaus, priest, by whose instructions blessed Pantaleon was converted to the faith.

Also, the Saints Hermippus and Hermocrates, brothers. After many sufferings borne for the confession of Christ, they were condemned to capital punishment by the same Maximian.

At Nola, the holy martyrs Felix, Julia and Jucunda.

At Biseglia, in Apulia, the holy martyrs Maurus, bishop, Pantaleemon, and Sergius, who suffered under Trajan.

In the country of the Homerites (Arabia), the commemoration of the holy martyrs, who were delivered to the flames for faith of Christ, under the tyrant Dunaan.

At Cordova, in Spain, during the persecution of the Arabs, the holy martyrs George, deacon, Felix, Aurelius, Natalia, and Liliosa.

At Ephesus, the birthday of the seven holy sleepers, Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, Denis, John, Serapion, and Constantine.

At Auxerre, the demise of blessed AEtherius, bishop and confessor.

At Constantinople, blessed Anthusa, a virgin. Under Constantine Copronymus, after being scourged and banished, she rested in the Lord.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.