Great martyr · 3rd–4th century
Panteleimon
Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon
New Calendar July 27 Old Calendar August 9
Why they are a saint
Panteleimon was known as physician of Nicomedia who healed without pay and was martyred under Maximian. He is one of the Holy Unmercenaries. The years given for this life are 3rd–4th century. The Church ranks him among the great martyrs, whose public witness was especially costly.
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
Patron of physicians, hospitals, the sick, because he healed the sick, as told in his life.
Prayer
O holy 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.