Martyr (Fourth Century)
His life
+ The life of this early martyr is largely shrouded in legend, although it seems fairly certain that he was martyred in Turkey around the year 305.
+ According to ancient traditions, he was born to a pagan father and Christian mother and studied medicine. One account of his life says that he served as a physician to the emperor Galerius.
+ Many of the stories about Saint Pantaleon concern miraculous cures on behalf of the poor and, because of this, he was not only honored as one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers,” he is still honored as one of the patrons of physicians.
+ In the Eastern Church, Saint Pantaleon is honored as “the All-Compassionate” and as “the Great Martyr and Wonderworker.”
For prayer and reflection
I turned every way, but there was no one to help me,
I looked for one to sustain me, but could find no one.
But then I remembered the mercies of the Lord,
his kindness through ages past;
For he saves those who take refuge in him,
and rescues them from every evil.—Sirach 51:7-8
Spiritual bonus
On July 27, we also remember Saint Simeon “Stylites.” After becoming a monk at an early age, he later felt called to take on increasingly harsh (and bizarre) penances. He is best-known for the years he spent living atop a pillar, helping create the “Stylites” movement of hermits. Saint Simeon died around the year 459 and was honored as a saint immediately after his death.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Pantaleon to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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