Saint
Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon
New Calendar July 27 Old Calendar August 9
Why they are a saint
He was born in Nicomedia; his father was a pagan, his mother a Christian. Through her he was taught the Christian Faith and baptized by St Hermolaus (July 26). He became a physician, and practiced his art with compassion and generosity, healing many more through his prayers as by his medicines.
Life
Saint Panteleimon, first named Pantoleon, was born in Nicomedia to the illustrious pagan Eustorgius; his mother, Saint Euboula, was a Christian but died when he was young. He studied medicine under the renowned physician Euphrosynus, and the emperor Maximian wished to make him a royal physician.
The priest Hermolaus, hiding in Nicomedia, taught him the Christian faith. When Pantoleon found a child killed by a snake, he prayed to Christ; the child rose up alive and the snake died, and he was baptized by Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon, 'all-merciful.' He healed a blind man in the name of Jesus Christ, and his father believed and was baptized. He treated all who came to him without charge, and healed Christians held in prison.
Envious doctors denounced him to the emperor. He confessed himself a Christian and, after many sufferings, was tied to an olive tree and beheaded; his life records that the tree became covered with fruit and many who were present believed in Christ.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The Healer; he treated all without charge in the name of Christ. The cited source names no other patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon as a patron when they bear the name and at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on July 27. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.