July 27 + Saint Pantaleon

Pantaleon was born about 284 A.D. in the city of Nicodemia (currently called Izmit, in northern Turkey near the Black Sea). His mother, Eubula, was a devout Christian who raised her son in the Christian way of life, while his father did not convert until much later. She passed away while her son was still young.

Pantaleon was handsome, soft spoken, and humble. His father, Eustorgius, sent him to study under the famous physician, Euphrosinos. Pantaleon went with Euphrosinos to the palace where the ruler, Maximian Herculius, first encountered him. Maximian instructed Euphrosinos to educate Pantaleon to the extent that he could be appointed royal physician.

Pantaleon was also watched over by St. Hermolaus, the head of the Church in Nicodemia. When Hermolaus asked him about his religion, Pantaleon told him that while his mother was alive he had been a Christian, but after her death his father had made him follow the pagans. Hermolaus told him that if he believed with all his heart in the true God he would be able to cure anyone with His help. After that, he went to Hermolaus for counsel and began to return to the Faith.

One day, Pantaleon saved a child from certain death after being bitten by a viper — a miraculous recovery. He needed no further proof that Christ was the true God. Hermolaus baptized Pantaleon, gave him Holy Communion, and instructed him in the Sacraments of the Holy Church. Pantaleon then remained for seven days with Hermolaus to become acquainted with the teachings and practices of the Church.

Another miraculous healing occurred; Pantaleon cured a man of his blindness; he regained not only his sight, but also his spiritual vision. Pantaleon's father, upon learning of this, converted.

After his father died, Pantaleon freed the estate's slaves and distributed his wealth among the poor and then proceeded to cure all who came to him. The only payment he would ask was that the healed persons believe that Jesus Christ was their true healer. The other physicians became envious of his popularity and a group of them went to Maximian and told him that Pantaleon was healing people who were converting to Christianity.

Pantaleon was ordered to appear before the Emperor, who described the charges against him and tried to save Pantaleon by having him make a sacrifice to the Roman gods. He refused. Those opposing Pantaleon asked the Emperor to execute him so that Christianity would not gain in popularity.

Failing to convince Pantaleon to betray his Christian beliefs, Maximian ordered him to be tortured and killed. However, he miraculously survived several attempts. Eventually, the Emperor had Pantaleon, Hermolaus, and two other men who also refused to renounce their faith, beheaded. In the East he is called the "Great Martyr and Wonder-Worker " and he is remembered for his generosity in providing free medical care, and for his unwavering faith unto death.

Pantaleon is the Patron Saint of physicians, midwives, invoked against headaches and lung disease, accidents and loneliness, and helper for crying children.