July 27th - St. Panteleon

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July 27 – St. Pantaleon, Martyr

Taken from The Liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Guéranger  (1841-1875)

The East celebrates today one of her greater martyrs, who was both a healer of bodies and a conqueror of souls. His name, which recalls the strength of the lion, was changed by heaven at the time of his death into Panteleemon, or all-merciful; a happy presage of the gracious blessings our Lord would afterwards bestow on the earth through his means. The various translations and the diffusion of his sacred relics in our West have made his cultus widespread, together with his renown as a friend in need, which has caused him to be ranked among the saints called helpers.

Pantaleon was a nobleman of Nicomedia and a physician. He was instructed in the faith and baptized by the priest Hermolaus, and soon persuaded his father Eustorguis to become a Christian. Afterwards he freely preached the faith of our Lord Christ in Nicomedia, and encouraged all to embrace his doctrine. This was in the reign of Diocletian. He was tortured on the rack and red-hot plates were applied to his body. He bore the violence of these tortures calmly and bravely, and being finally beheaded obtained the crown of martyrdom.

What is stronger than a lion, and what is sweeter than honey? Greater than Samson, thou, O Martyr, didst in thy own person propose and solve the riddle: Out of the strong came forth sweetness. O lion, who didst follow so fearlessly the Lion of Juda, thou didst imitate his ineffable gentleness; and as he deserved to be called eternally the Lamb, so did he will his Divine Mercy to shine forth in the everlasting heavenly name, into which he changed thy earthly name. Justify that title more and more for the honor of him who gave it to thee. Be merciful to those who call on thee: to the sufferers whom a weary consumption brings daily nearer to the tomb; to physicians, who, like thee, spend themselves in the care of their brethren: assist them in giving relief to physical suffering, in restoring corporal health; teach them still better to heal mortal wounds, and lead souls to salvation.