Saint Pantaléon de Nicomédie
Médecin, Martyr
(† vers 303)
Saint Pantaléon vivait à Nicomédie. Son père était païen et sa mère chrétienne; celle-ci mourut malheureusement bien trop tôt pour son enfant. Pantaléon, élevé dans la religion de Jésus-Christ, quoique non encore baptisé, subit l'influence de son père et finit par oublier les principes que sa mère lui avait inculqués dans son enfance.
Il s'attacha à l'étude de la médecine et y devint si célèbre, que l'empereur Maximien-Galère le choisit pour son médecin et voulut l'avoir à sa cour. Un prêtre chrétien, nommé Hermolaüs, résolut de ramener à la foi chrétienne un homme qui avait de si brillantes qualités; il s'introduisit dans sa confiance et en vint à lui rappeler les vérités de la religion:
"À quoi, lui dit-il, vous serviront vos connaissances, si vous ignorez la science du salut?"
Hermolaüs, voyant que ses paroles faisaient impression sur Pantaléon, le pressa davantage, et celui-ci lui déclara qu'il y penserait sérieusement. Ces heureuses dispositions s'affermirent par un miracle qu'il opéra en invoquant le nom de Jésus-Christ. Un jour qu'il se promenait dans la campagne, il rencontra un enfant mort, et, tout près de lui une vipère. Il ne douta point que l'enfant n'eût été la victime de ce reptile venimeux. Inspiré par la grâce, il s'adressa, plein de confiance, à Jésus-Christ, et dit: "Enfant, lève-toi, au nom de Jésus-Christ!" Puis, se tournant vers la vipère: "Et toi, méchante bête, reçois le mal que tu as fait." A l'instant l'enfant se relève vivant, et la vipère demeure inerte sur le sol. Pantaléon n'hésita plus à se faire baptiser.
Le salut de son père fut sa première pensée, et il employa tout pour y réussir, la raison, le sentiment, la piété filiale et surtout la prière; il acheva sa conquête par un miracle. Un jour, un aveugle vint le trouver et lui dit: "J'ai depuis longtemps employé sans effet tous les remèdes; on m'a dit que vous êtes très habile médecin; pourriez-vous me secourir? - Je vous guérirai, dit le médecin, si vous vous engagez à devenir chrétien." L'aveugle promit avec joie et fut aussitôt guéri par l'invocation de Jésus-Christ. Son père, témoin de ce miracle, reçut le baptême avec l'aveugle guéri.
Pantaléon devint de plus en plus un apôtre de la foi; à la mort de son père il vendit tous ses biens, les employa en bonnes oeuvres et ne se réserva que le produit de l'exercice de sa profession. Des médecins jaloux le dénoncèrent comme chrétien à l'empereur. Pantaléon fut condamné à divers supplices et fut enfin décapité.
Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950.
SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/pantaleon.html
Saint Pantaleimon ou Pantaléon, martyr de Nicomédie que sa Passion présente comme un médecin, est l’un des martyrs orientaux les plus célèbres. Il est fêté le 27 juillet aux rites byzantin et syrien et le 13 juillet au rite copte, qui l’honore sous le nom de Batlan. Le martyrologe hiéronymien en fait mention le 28, en accord avec certains anciens synaxaires orientaux. A Rome, dès le VIIIe siècle, l’église Saint-Ange in Pescheria conservait quelque relique de saint Pantaléon, mais il faut attendre le début du XIIe siècle pour voir son nom apparaître dans le martyrologe de Saint-Pierre et le passionnaire du Latran au 27 juillet. Au cours du même siècle, quatre églises lui furent dédiées [1].
[1] Cf. Pierre Jounel, Le Culte des Saints dans les Basiliques du Latran et du Vatican au douzième siècle, École Française de Rome, Palais Farnèse, 1977.
Dom Guéranger, l’Année Liturgique
L’Orient célèbre aujourd’hui un de ses grands martyrs. Médecin des corps et conquérant des âmes, son nom qui indiquait la force du lion fut, au moment où il allait mourir, changé par le ciel en celui de Pantéléèmon ou tout miséricordieux : présage des biens que la gratuite libéralité du Seigneur se proposait de répandre par lui sur la terre. Les diverses translations et le partage de ses restes précieux dans notre Occident, y propagèrent son culte et sa renommée secourable, qui le fit ranger parmi les Saints auxiliateurs.
Qu’y a-t-il de plus fort que le lion, déplus doux que le miel [2] ? Plus grand que Samson, vous avez dans votre personne même, ô Martyr, posé et résolu l’énigme : du fort est sortie la douceur [3]. O lion qui marchiez si intrépidement à la suite du Lion de Juda, vous sûtes aussi imiter sa mansuétude ineffable ; et, comme il mérita d’être appelé l’Agneau à jamais, ainsi voulut-il que sa miséricorde resplendît dans le nom éternel par lequel, transformant votre nom de la terre, il vous appelait au festin des cieux. Pour l’honneur de celui qui en fit votre titre de gloire, justifiez-le toujours plus. Soyez propice à ceux qui vous implorent, aux malheureux qu’une triste consomption rapproche chaque jour des portes du tombeau, aux médecins qui comme vous se dépensent dans les soins donnés à leurs frères : aidez-les à soulager la souffrance physique, à guérir les corps ; montrez-leur à panser mieux encore les plaies morales, à conduire l’âme au salut.
[2] Jud. XIV, 18.
[3] Ibid. 14.
Bhx cardinal Schuster, Liber Sacramentorum
Ce saint martyr, — un des médecins Anargyres, — qui a été l’objet en Orient, dès le IVe siècle, d’un culte très populaire, appartient très probablement à Nicomédie.
A Rome, au moyen âge, s’élevèrent en son honneur plusieurs églises : Saint-Pantaléon ad fines, Saint-Pantaléon de Parione. Saint-Pantaléon in tribus foris, Saint-Pantaléon de preta Karoli, etc. On s’explique que la commémoration de ce médecin thaumaturge soit entrée dans le Missel.
A Ravello, près d’Amalfi, on conserve une ampoule remplie de son sang, lequel en ce jour se liquéfie et demeure ainsi jusqu’après les secondes vêpres du lendemain. Parfois le miracle se fait aussi en des circonstances extraordinaires, comme cela arriva en présence du cardinal Dominique Bartolini, préfet de la S. C. des Rites sous Léon XIII. Le savant cardinal s’était rendu à Ravello avec un esprit un peu sceptique, attribuant le prodige à l’autosuggestion des habitants. Mais le martyr voulut relever sa foi défaillante et renouvela le miracle sous ses yeux.
Il est souvent question du sang de saint Pantaléon dans les anciens documents grecs. Les vers suivants des Menées en font eux aussi mention :
L’eau et le lait jaillissent du cou du martyr,
pour lequel jadis le Christ répandit le sang et l’eau.
Le XXVIIe jour marqua la mort de Panteleemon.
La messe Lætábitur est du Commun. Prière. — « Par l’intercession de votre bienheureux martyr Pantaléon, Dieu tout-puissant, délivrez-nous de tout mal corporel et purifiez notre âme de toute souillure ». C’est fort à propos que l’Église implore du médecin Anargyre la santé corporelle, car celle-ci est bien souvent la condition la plus favorable pour pouvoir travailler beaucoup pour la gloire de Dieu, C’est avec cette droiture d’intention que nous pouvons désirer la santé et une longue vie, usant de ces soins opportuns qui sont jugés nécessaires pour conserver nos forces : Nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino.
Secrète. — « Que notre pieuse offrande vous soit agréable. Seigneur, et que l’intercession de celui en l’honneur duquel nous vous la dédions aujourd’hui, nous la rende aussi profitable ». Il faut remarquer le style concis de cette collecte, dans laquelle le mot devotio indique simplement le Sacrifice eucharistique. Le mot devotio en latin dit beaucoup plus que dévotion en français, car il indique une consécration irrévocable et totale à la Divinité. Il équivaut donc à sacrificium.
Après la Communion. — « Nourris du don céleste, nous vous demandons humblement, Seigneur, que par les prières de votre bienheureux martyr Pantaléon nous expérimentions l’efficace du Sacrifice que nous venons de célébrer ». Chez les Grecs, Pantaléon a aussi le titre de Pantaleemon, nom qui, selon les Actes, lui fut imposé par le Christ, qui lui promit que beaucoup, par son intermédiaire, obtiendraient miséricorde.
Dom Pius Parsch, Le guide dans l’année liturgique
Pour les médecins chrétiens.
Saint Pantaléon. — Jour de mort : 27 juillet, vers 305. Tombeau : primitivement à Constantinople, actuellement à Saint-Denis, près de Paris ; sa tête est à Lyon. On conserve dans une ampoule de verre, à Ravello, près d’Amalfi, une partie de son sang qui, de temps à autre, redevient liquide.
Sa vie : C’était un célèbre médecin de Nicomédie, tout dévoué au service de Dieu, et qui pratiquait son art gratuitement. D’après la légende, il était médecin ordinaire de l’empereur. Séduit par les plaisirs de la cour, il apostasia.
Mais le saint prêtre Hermolaus sut si bien toucher son cœur en lui rappelant les exemples de sa mère, qu’il se convertit totalement, distribua ses biens aux pauvres et se mit tout entier au service des malades les plus affligés et les plus dépourvus. « Par ordre de l’empereur Maximien, il fut arrêté à cause de sa foi, étendu sur le chevalet, et brûlé au moyen de torches ardentes. Mais il fut réconforté dans ses tourments par une apparition de Notre Seigneur. Un coup de glaive acheva son martyre » (Martyrologe).
Les médecins l’honorent comme un de leurs patrons. Il figure dans la liste des quatorze Saints qu’on invoque dans la détresse.
Pratique : Si l’Église se préoccupe avant tout du bien des âmes, elle s’intéresse aussi à notre santé corporelle ; nombre de prières liturgiques l’attestent. La liturgie réclame la participation de tout notre être au service de Dieu et, donc, celle de notre corps. La messe : c’est la quatrième du commun Lætábitur.
Les Grecs appellent saint Pantaléon « Panteleemon », nom qui lui aurait été donné par Notre Seigneur lui-même avec la promesse qu’il serait pour tous messager de la miséricorde divine.
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/27-07-St-Pantaleon-martyr#nh1
Saint Pantaléon
Martyr (✝ 303)
Médecin, proche de la cour impériale, il se convertit et
se mit tout autant au service des pauvres que des riches. Découvert comme
chrétien, il fut sommé de renier le Christ. Condamné aux bêtes, après divers
supplices, il témoigna de sa foi et fut enfin décapité à Nicodémie.
Le synaxaire des Églises d'Orient témoigne du culte qui fut le sien dès les
premiers temps.
Le nom de notre commune vient de celui du patron de la paroisse. Pantaléon
est né et a vécu à Nicomédie (aujourd'hui Izmit, en Turquie, au nord de la mer
de Marmara). Converti au christianisme il fit plusieurs miracles. Médecin de
l'empereur romain Galère Maximien, il refusa d'abjurer sa foi en Jésus-Christ
et fut décapité après avoir subi de nombreux et cruels supplices le 27 juillet,
en 305.
Il est considéré comme un 'Très Grand Martyr' par les Orthodoxes qui l'appellent
Panteleimon. C'est grâce à la distribution de ses reliques (après le VIIe
siècle) que les paroisses puis les communes portent ce nom. On trouve de très
nombreux lieux de culte à notre saint dans toute l'Europe et notamment en
France dix communes portent son nom ou des dérivés de celui-ci: Pandelon,
Pantaly, Plantaire.
Comme les saints Côme et Damien il appartient
à la catégorie des saints 'anargyres', les sans argent. Pour exercer son art,
il n'attendait d'autre honoraire que l'amour de Dieu, raison pour laquelle le
Christ vint le visiter dans sa prison et changea son nom en 'Pantaleïmon', le
miséricordieux. (d'après 'Église de Corse en prière') - voir aussi le site du diocèse d'Ajaccio.
À Nicomédie en Bithynie, vers 305, saint Pantaléon ou Pantalimon, martyr,
vénéré en Orient comme un médecin qui exerçait son art gratuitement.
Martyrologe romain
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Saint Pantaleon
Saint Pantaleon came from Nicomedia,
near the Black Sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that the Emperor
himself chose him for his own doctor. Pantaleon was a Christian, but the bad
influence from the pagan court caused him to give up his Christian faith
entirely.
A holy priest named Hermolaos made him realize what
a sin he had committed. Pantaleon listened to him, detested his sin and joined
the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he greatly desired to
suffer and die for Jesus. In the meantime, he imitated Our Lord’s charity by
taking care of poor sick people without any charge for his medical services.
When the Emperor Diocletian began his persecution,
Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Not long
afterwards, he was accused of being a Christian. He was given the choice of
denying his Faith or being put to death. No torture could force Pantaleon to
deny his Faith.
There has been strong devotion in past ages to this
Saint. In the East he is called the “Great Martyr and Wonder-worker.” Saint
Pantaleon’s feast day is July 27th.
St.
Pantaleon
Martyr, died about 305. According to
legend he was the son of a rich pagan, Eustorgius of Nicomedia, and had been instructed in Christianity by his Christian mother, Eubula. Afterwards he
became estranged from Christianity. He studied medicine and became physician to the Emperor
Maximinianus. He
was won back to Christianity
by the priest
Hermolaus. Upon the death of his father he came into possession of a large
fortune. Envious colleagues denounced him to the emperor during the Diocletian persecution. The emperor wished to save him and
sought to persuade him to apostasy. Pantaleon, however, openly confessed his faith, and as proof that Christ is the true God, he healed a paralytic.
Notwithstanding this, he was condemned to death by the emperor, who regarded the miracle as an exhibition of magic.
According to legend, Pantaleon's flesh was first burned with torches; upon this
Christ appeared to all in the form of Hermolaus to strengthen and heal
Pantaleon. The torches were extinguished. After this, when a bath of liquid
lead was prepared, Christ in the same form stepped into the cauldron with him,
the fire went out and the lead became cold. He was now thrown into the sea, but
the stone with which he was loaded floated. He was thrown to the wild beasts
but these fawned upon him and could not be forced away until he had blessed
them. He was bound on the wheel, but the ropes snapped, and the wheel broke. An
attempt was made to behead him, but the sword bent, and the executioners were
converted. Pantaleon implored heaven to forgive them, for which reason
he also received the name of Panteleemon (the all-compassionate). It was not
until he himself desired it that it was possible to behead him.
The lives containing these
legendary features are all late in date and valueless. Yet the fact of the martyrdom itself seems to be proved by a veneration for which there is
early testimony, among others from Theodoret (Graecarum affectionum curatio,
Sermo VIII, "De martyribus", in Migne, P.G., LXXXIII 1033), Procopius of
Caesarea (De
aedificiis Justiniani I, ix; V, ix), and the "Martyrologium
Hieronymianum" (Acta SS., Nov., II, 1, 97). Pantaleon is venerated in the East as a great martyr and wonderworker. In the Middle Ages he came to be regarded as the patron saint of physicians and midwives, and
became one of the fourteen guardian martyrs. From early times a phial
containing some of his blood has been preserved at Constantinople. On the feast day of the saint the blood is said to become fluid
and to bubble. Relics of
the saint are to
be found at St. Denis at Paris; his head is venerated at Lyons. His feast day is 27 July, also 28 July, and 18
February.
Löffler, Klemens. "St. Pantaleon." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol.
11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 15 Nov. 2019 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447a.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Tomas Hancil.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil
Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New
York.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447a.htm
Physician and Martyr
(†303)
Saint
Panteleimon the All-Merciful
Feast Date: July 27
A man whose life span was four years shorter than the Savior whom he served crammed into his twenty-nine years on earth enough achievement in science and religion to fill the entire fourth century. Like the great St. Luke of the New Testament, Panteleimon was a doctor and was referred to reverently as "a glorious physician." Unlike Luke, Panteleimon attained sainthood not through his evangelism, but through his talents as a physician whose efforts on behalf of the suffering were augmented by the power of the Divine.
Panteleimon the All-Merciful was born in A.D. 275 in Nikomedia, Asia Minor, of a pagan father and a Christian mother. From his father he derived a profound intellect; from his mother, spiritual awareness. Together they provided him with the skill and dedication that were to thrust him first into prominence, then into tragedy within a relatively short span of time. Of handsome appearance and noble bearing, Panteleimon was an impressive figure while still a student of the Empire's most noted physician, Euphrosinos, a teacher who took pride in his pupil's remarkable skill and dedication.
He had not been a physician long when his reputation as a healer drew him to the attention of Emperor Maximlian, who encouraged him by his personal sponsorship. This quickly led to Panteleimon's recognition as the foremost physician of the entire known world. Panteleimon became a familiar figure among the people as he went from one patient to another while yet serving the emperor and his court. The demand for his services kept him working at a feverish pace, an exhausting obligation he never shirked.
In the course of his rounds he had been observed by the pious Christian Ermolaos, one who remained in constant hiding in fear of persecution by the state for his overt promotion of Christianity. Ermolsos managed to intercept Panteleimon, whose great skill he lauded but who he thought needed to be reminded "from the Most High cometh healing." After a series of meetings the physician came to know his true Christian destiny, and thereafter his professionalism, as a man of medicine was subordinated to his role as a healer in the name of the Greatest Healer of them all. His power of healing was not attributable to a physician's skill alone, but to divine intervention as well.
As his reputation grew, Panteleimon came to be known more as a man of God than of science, an acknowledgement that brought wrath and cruel action by the emperor.
After being given the customary interrogation Panteleimon was offered the ultimate choice between Christ and the idols; his response was a reaffirmation of his Christianity. For the noble physician it was a two-edged sword: first because he was a fallen favorite whose betrayal was a personal rebuke to the emperor, and second because of the steadfastness of his loyalty to the Savior.
Not all of the fiendish designs of Panteleimon's torture are known, but history tells us that this honorable doctor and noble Christian was, among other things, stretched across a rack and burned by candles. Following this ordeal he was cast first into a fiery pit and then into a den of beasts. When he survived, the pagans were convinced he had the protection of some kind of sorcery.
It was finally decided that since there could be no antidote for drowning, he would be cast into a deep river with a huge stone bound to his body. When the stone proved buoyant, the exasperated torturers fished him out of the water and placed him on the execution block where he was beheaded. It was said that not blood but milk flowed from the severed head of the martyr. Panteleimon gave his life for Christ on 27 July 304.
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Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon
Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon - Troparion &
Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 3
Kontakion — Tone 5
.jpg)
La diocesi di Crema, in provincia di Cremona, lo celebra il 10 giugno, giorno in cui per sua intercessione la città fu liberata dalla peste.
Autore: Antonello Antonelli
Saint Panteleon
Also known as
- Panteleimon
- Pantaleon
- 27 July
- 28 July on some calendars
- 18 February on some calendars
- 19 February on some calendars
Profile
Christian physician to emperor
Maximian. Life-long layman and bachelor. At one point he
abandoned his faith, and fell in with a
worldly and idolatrous crowd. However, he
was eventually overcome with grief, and with the help of the priest Hermolaus, he
returned to the Church. Brought his father to the faith. Gave his fortune to
the poor, treated them medically, and never charged. Some
of his cures were miraculous, being accomplished
by prayer.
Denounced to the anti–Christian authorities by
other doctors during the persections of Diocletian. At trial he offered a
contest to see whose prayers would cure the incurable – his or the pagan priests’.
The pagans failed to help the
man, a palsied paralytic, but Pantaleon cured the man by
mentioning the name Jesus. Many of the witnesses converted.
The authorities tried to
bribe him to denounce the faith, but failed. They then
threatened him; that failed. They followed up the threats with torture. When that failed,
he was executed. Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
- nailed to a tree and beheaded c.305
- a phial of his blood is preserved at Constantinople, and is
reported to become liquid and bubble on his feast day
- some relics enshrined at the church of Saint Denis in Paris, France
- some relics enshrined at Lyons, France
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Pantaleon, Physician and Martyr
Legend
Saint Pantaleon was
physician to Emperor Maximin and a Christian, but he fell through a temptation
which is sometimes more dangerous than the most severe trials by the fiercest
torments. This temptation was the bad example of the impious, idolatrous
courtiers with whom the young physician associated. He was seduced by them and
abandoned the Faith. But the grace of God called him, and he obeyed.
Hermolaus, a zealous priest,
by prudent exhortation awakened Pantaleon’s conscience to a sense of his guilt,
and brought him back into the fold of the Church. Henceforth he devoted himself
ardently to the advancement of the spiritual and temporal welfare of his
fellow-citizens. First of all he sought to convert his father, who was still a
heathen, and had the consolation to see him die a Christian. He divided the
ample fortune which he inherited amongst the poor and the sick. As a physician,
he was intent on healing his patients both by physical and by spiritual means.
Christians he confirmed in the practice and confession of the Faith, and the
heathens he sought to convert. Many suffering from incurable diseases were
restored to health by his prayer and the invocation of the holy name of Jesus.
His presence was everywhere fraught with blessings and consolation.
Saint Pantaleon yearned
to prove his fidelity to the Faith by shedding his blood for it, and the
opportunity came to him when his heathen associates in the healing art denounced
him to the emperor as a zealous propagator of Christianity. He was brought up
before the emperor’s tribunal and ordered to sacrifice to the idols. He
replied: “The God whom I adore is Jesus Christ. He created heaven and earth, He
raised the dead to life, made the blind see and healed the sick, all through
the power of His word. Your idols are dead, they can not do anything. Order a
sick person to be brought here, one declared incurable. Your priests shall
invoke their idols for him and I shall call on the only true God, and we shall
see who is able to help him.” The proposal was accepted. A man sick with the
palsy was brought, who could neither walk nor stand without help. The heathen
priests prayed for him, but in vain. Then Pantaleon prayed, took the sick man
by the hand, and said: “In the name of Jesus, the Son of God, I command thee to
rise and be well.” And the palsied man rose, restored to perfect health.
By this miracle a great
number of those present were converted. But the emperor and the idolatrous
priests were all the more enraged. Maximin now attempted to gain Pantaleon by
blandishments and promises to deny the Faith, but without success. Then he had
recourse to threats, and as they too availed nothing, he proceeded to have them
put into execution. The brave confessor of the Faith was tortured in every
conceivable manner. Finally he was nailed to a tree, and then beheaded. The
priest Hermolaus and the brothers Hermippos and Hermocrates suffered death with
him, in the year 308.
Lesson
Happy are they who,
whatever may be their station or calling in life, are intent on bringing those
with whom they come into contact under the influence of religion. But, alas,
too many do just the reverse. They permit themselves to be led astray by bad
example, and set aside the claims of the Church as too severe and exacting. How
do you act in this regard? Do you shun the company of the wicked? A proverb
says: “Tell me in whose company you are found, and I will tell you who you
are.” Bad company insensibly undermines faith and morals, overcomes the fear of
evil and the aversion to it and weakens the will. “He that loveth danger shall
perish in it” (Ecclus. iii. 27).
As soon as Saint
Pantaleon came to a sense of his apostasy, he repented and returned to the
practice of the Faith. He did this despite the knowledge that he thereby
incurred hatred and persecution. The true Christian will ever follow the
dictates of conscience and please God, whether he thereby incur the displeasure
of men or not. If, to please men, we become remiss in the service of God, we
show that we fear and love Him less than men. What a lamentable folly! Of whom
have we to expect greater benefits or to fear greater evils—from God or man? Do
not act thus unwisely; rather imitate Saint Pantaleon, and live for God and His
service.
Prayer of the Church
Almighty God, grant us
through the intercession of Thy blessed martyr Pantaleon to be delivered and
preserved from all ills of the body, and from evil thoughts and influences in
spirit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Butler’s Lives of the Saints – Saint Pantaleon, Martyr
Article
A.D. 303
He was physician to the
Emperor Galerius Maximianus, and a Christian, but fell by a temptation which is
sometimes more dangerous than the severest trials of the fiercest torments; for
bad example, if not shunned, insensibly weakens, and at length destroys the
strongest virtue. Pantaleon being perpetually obsessed by it in an impious
idolatrous court, and deceived by often hearing the false maxims of the world
applauded, was unhappily seduced into an apostacy. But a zealous Christian
called Hermolaus, by his prudent admonitions awakened his conscience to a sense
of his guilt, and brought him again into the fold of the Church. The penitent
ardently wished to expiate his crime by martyrdom; and to prepare himself for
the conflict, when Dioclesian’s bloody persecution broke out at Nicomedia in
303, he distributed all his possessions among the poor. Not long after this
action he was taken up, and in his house were also apprehended Hermolaus,
Hermippus, and Hermocrates. After suffering many torments they were all
condemned to lose their heads. Saint Pantaleon suffered the day after the rest.
He is ranked by the Greeks amongst the great martyrs. Procopius mentions a
church in his honour at Constantinople, which being decayed was repaired by
Justinian. His relics were translated to Constantinople, and there kept with
great honour, as Saint John Damascen informs us. The greater part of them are
now shown in the abbey of Saint Denys, near Paris, but his head at Lyons.
Physicians honour Saint
Pantaleon as their chief patron after Saint Luke. Happy are they in that
profession who improve their study chiefly to glorify the supreme Creator,
whose infinite power and wisdom are displayed in all his works; and who, by the
opportunities of charity which their art continually offers them, rejoice to
afford comfort, and corporal, if not often also spiritual succour, to the most
suffering and distressed part of their species, especially among the poor. All
the healing powers of medicine are a gift of God; and he himself who could have
restored Ezechias to health by the least act of his omnipotent will, directed
Isaiah to apply dry figs to the abscess into which his fever was terminating;
than which poultice no better remedy could have been used to promote
suppuration. Saint Ambrose, Saint Basil, and Saint Bernard, inveigh severely
against too nice and anxious a care of health, as a mark of inordinate
self-love and immortification; nor is any thing generally more hurtful to it.
But as man is not master of his own life or health, he is bound to take a
moderate reasonable care not to throw them away. To neglect the more simple and
ordinary succours of medicine when absolutely necessary, is to transgress that
law of charity which every one owes to himself. The saints who condemned as
contrary to their penitential state, far-sought or exquisite means, with Saint
Charles Borromæo, were scrupulously attentive to essential prescriptions of
physicians in simple and ordinary remedies. But let the Christian in sickness
seek in the first place the health of his soul by penance, and the exercise of
all virtues. Let him also consider God as his chief physician, begging him, if
it may be conducive to his divine honour, to restore the frame he created, and
entreating our Redeemer to stretch out that hand upon him, with which in his
mortal state he restored so many sick to their health. He who trusts more in
the art of physicians than in the Lord, will deserve the reproach of Asa, king
of Juda. So hidden are often the causes of distempers, so precarious the power
of remedies, and so uncertain the skill of the ablest physicians, that their
endeavours frequently check nature instead of seconding its efforts, and thus
hasten death. The divine blessing alone is the Christian’s sheet-anchor,
perfect resignation to the divine will is the secure repose of his soul; and
the fervent exercise of penance, patience, and devotion, is his gain in the
time of sickness.
MLA Citation
- Father Alban Butler.
“Saint Pantaleon, Martyr”. Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints, 1866. CatholicSaints.Info. 2 July 2014.
Web. 27 July 2020.
<https://catholicsaints.info/butlers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-pantaleon-martyr/>
hl. Pantaleon, Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Martin in Wertingen im
Landkreis Dillingen an der Donau, Bayern
Weninger’s Lives of the Saints – Saint Pantaleon, Martyr
Article
Nicomedia, a city in
Bithynia, was the birth-place of Saint Pantaleon. His mother, Eubula, was a
Christian, but Eustorgius, his father, a heathen. The former died before he was
baptized, and the latter reared him in the darkness of idolatry, and instructed
him carefully in the same. Pantaleon, whose appearance was prepossessing, and
who, besides this, was gifted with great talents, studied medicine and acquired
such knowledge, that he not only gained the esteem of the lower classes, but
also stood in great favor with the Emperor Galerius Maximian. At that period
there lived in the same city a pious and zealous priest, named Hermolaus, who,
on account of the persecutions, secretly instructed the Christians, and
encouraged them to remain faithful to Christ. Having sought an opportunity to
become acquainted with Pantaleon, he conversed one day with him upon the art of
healing certain diseases; and on this occasion spoke of the true God, adding
that by calling on Jesus Christ, as the Lord of life and death, one could heal
diseases much better than by human remedies; that even the dead could be
restored to life, if it so pleased the Lord, and one called upon Him with due
confidence. Hermolaus confirmed his words by relating several examples of
miraculous cases and restoration to life, and exhorted Pantaleon most earnestly
to become one of the number of those who believed in Christ, and who worshipped
no other God in heaven or on earth. Pantaleon was deeply impressed by the words
of the pious priest, and promised to consider carefully all he had heard. One
day, while he was occupied with the thought whether all was true that Hermolaus
had told him, he found on his way a dead child, and near it a viper, which
probably had killed the child. Remembering what he had heard of the omnipotence
of the God of the Christians, he was filled with trust in Him, and said to the
dead child: “I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, rise!” and to the
viper: “And be thou punished for having killed this poor child!” At the same
moment, the dead child arose to his feet, and the viper burst before his eyes.
Amazed at this evident miracle, Pantaleon went forthwith to Hermolaus, related
to him what had just occurred, and humbly begged for holy baptism, which he
received after having been sufficiently instructed in the faith of Christ. Not
satisfied with his own conversion, he endeavored also to bring his father to
the knowledge of the true God, and took every opportunity to speak to him of
the falsity of those idols which were so devoutly worshipped and on account of
which the Christians, who refused to sacrifice to them, were so cruelly
persecuted. God so ordered, that just at a time when he was thus conversing
with his father, a blind man came to him, who bitterly complained that the
physicians, instead of healing his eyes, had entirely deprived him of his
sight, and asked him if he could help him. “Will you promise me to embrace the
Christian faith if I restore your sight?” asked Pantaleon. “I will,” replied
the blind man. Then Pantaleon, making the sign of the holy cross over him,
said: “In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, open thine eyes!” And the man,
opening his eyes, saw. This miracle opened the inner eyes of Pantaleon s
father, those eyes with which we recognize God. Seeing that the words of his
son were true, he said to him: “I must believe now that the God of the
Christians is the only true God.” Inexpressibly happy, Pantaleon went, with his
father and the man who had been blind, to the pious priest, who instructed and
baptized both. Pantaleon’s father, soon after, died and left his great wealth
to his son, who sold the greatest part of it and divided the money among the poor,
that he might have more leisure to prepare himself for the struggle which he
knew was awaiting him, being convinced that he would have to suffer greatly
when his conversion came to the knowledge of the Emperor. Meanwhile, he gave
all his care to the sick, healing many of them by merely making the sign of the
cross over them, and thus converting them to the Christian faith. The other
physicians envied the Saint, on account of his many cures, and, fearing that he
would gradually draw all the sick to himself, they resolved to put him out of
the way. They, therefore, denounced him to the Emperor as a Christian who cured
the sick by the usual magic of his sect. They particularly related how he had,
not long before, restored sight to a blind man. The Emperor called this man
into his presence, and asked him how, and by whom his sight had been restored.
The man told the simple truth, that Pantaleon, by calling upon Christ, had
immediately given him back his sight, adding that he had recognized, by this
fact, that the God of the Christians was the only true God, and hence had
resolved to worship Him only. The Emperor became so incensed at these words,
that he ordered this fearless confessor of Christ to be beheaded without loss
of time. He then had Pantaleon brought, and asked him if it was true that he
was a Christian. Pantaleon, without hesitation, confessed his faith, and
represented the falsity of the heathen gods so clearly, that neither the
Emperor nor any of those present could bring an argument against him. At the
conclusion of his speech, he said that he was ready to prove the truth of his
God, and the vanity of the heathen idols. “Let them bring,” said he, “a sick
person, of whose recovery there is no hope. Then call all the idolatrous
priests, in order that they may pray to their gods, while I will ask the aid of
my God; and then we shall see whether your gods are able to restore the sick
man to health. I know that my God has the power.” They accepted this
proposition, and brought an incurable paralytic man. The priests began to call
on all their gods, one after another, as in ancient times the priests of Baal
had done in the presence of King Achab and the holy prophet Elias. But the sick
man’s health did not improve. After the idolaters had for a long time vainly
endeavored to receive help from their gods, the Christian physician stepped
forward, and, after saying a short prayer, he made the sign of the cross over
the sick man, and said with a loud voice: “In the name of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, rise, restored to health.” And at the same time the paralyzed man arose
and cried: “There is no other God but the God of the Christians!” This miracle
soon became known all over the city, and induced many heathens to join the
faithful. The Emperor, however, provoked beyond measure by the idolatrous
priests against Pantaleon, commanded that he should be first tortured and
afterwards beheaded. Hermolaus, who was not less faithful to Christ than
Pantaleon, was beheaded at the same time. Both received the crown of martyrdom
in the 305th year of the Christian era.
Practical Considerations
• You saw in the life of
Saint Pantaleon how a child brought his own father to the knowledge of his
error, then to the true faith and a pious life, hence to everlasting happiness.
Oh! how beautiful an example! Many children are the cause of great sin, and
perhaps of the damnation of their parents, because they give them, by their
disobedience and bad Conduct, occasion of cursing, blasphemy, anger and other
sins. How great will be their responsibility when they appear before the
judgment-seat of God! If you have been one of these children, or are still one
of them, repent of your fault and pray earnestly for your parents, if they are
dead. Should they, however, still live, treat them with due love, honor and
obedience, that you may, in some measure, atone for your past omissions. Pray
often to the Almighty that He may give grace to them and to you to live in such
a manner, that you may all gain everlasting life. Should you have *an
opportunity to be useful to your parents in regard to their spiritual welfare,
without trespassing on the respect due to them, omit not so to do; they have
well deserved it of you.
MLA Citation
- Father Francis Xavier
Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saint Pantaleon, Martyr”. Lives
of the Saints, 1876. CatholicSaints.Info. 24 March
2018. Web. 27 July 2020.
<https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-pantaleon-martyr/>
Saints of the Day – Pantaleon the Physician
Article
(also known as
Panteleemon, Panteleimon)
Died c.305. Saint
Pantaleon is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, known for their efficacious
prayer, who are especially venerated in France and Germany. All of them have
highly embroidered life stories, although they themselves are rather shadowy
figures about whom almost nothing is known for certain. Pantaleon’s unreliable
vita may have developed because his name in Greek, means “the
all-compassionate.”
It is said that he was a
doctor of such skill that Emperor Maximian, a great persecutor of Christians
employed Pantaleon as the court physician. He was the son of a pagan father,
Eustorgius, and a Christian mother, Eubula, who raised him as a Christian. In
the fanatically anti-Christian and dissolute court of Maximian, he lost his
faith and nearly his soul with his self-indulgent lifestyle. In time, however,
a fellow-Christian named Hermolaos reminded the doctor of the faith he had
abandoned. From that time Pantaleon’s skills were at the disposal of the poor.
The wealth he had gained from his successful practice was given away.
Other physicians,
jealous of his position at court, saw Pantaleon’s renewed faith as a way of
discrediting him at court. When the persecution of Christians under Emperor
Diocletian broke out in Nicomedia in 303, Pantaleon, Hermolaos, and two other
Christians were arrested. This time Pantaleon refused to reject the faith;
instead he chose death. Vain attempts were made to put him to death in six
different ways – including drowning, fire, and wild beasts – before he was
successfully beheaded amidst a halo of other marvels.
What is probably true is
that he was a physician, who practiced without payment, and who was martyred
under Diocletian, probably at Nicomedia. He cultus is primarily connected with
Bithynia, where Emperor Justinian rebuilt his church at Nicomedia. Churches are
dedicated to him in Constantinople and Rome. In the East he is known as the
Great Martyr and Wonder Worker. A reputed relic of Pantaleon’s blood kept at
Ravello in southern Italy displays the phenomenon of liquefaction on his feast
day, similar to that of Saint Januarius (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley,
Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Sheppard)
In art, Saint Pantaleon
is a physician holding a phial of medicine. At times he may be depicted (1)
healing a sick child; (2) bound with hands above his head to an olive tree, to
which he is nailed, with a sword at his feet; (3) nail through his hands into
his head; (4) pushed off a rock with a pitchfork; (5) with a stone tied to his
neck; (6) killed with a club; or (7) with a sword and vase or phial (Roeder).
Click here to see an image of the saint by Photios Kontoglou.
Together with Saints
Cosmas and Damian, Pantaleon is the patron of the medical profession (Bentley).
He is invoked against lung disease (Sheppard).
MLA Citation
- Katherine I
Rabenstein. Saints of the Day, 1998. CatholicSaints.Info. 21 July
2020. Web. 27 July 2020.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-pantaleon-the-physician/>
SAINT PANTALEON of NICOMEDIA
Physician and Martyr
(†303)
Saint Pantaleon was born in
Nicomedia of a pagan father and a Christian mother, who died while her son was
still a child. He was among the court physicians of the Emperor Galerius
Maximianus. Deceived by hearing the false maxims of the world applauded, he was
without religion when God decided to rescue his soul from its unhappy darkness.
A zealous and prudent Christian named Hermolaus took special notice of him and
awakened his conscience, telling him that although the famous physicians of
ancient times had possessed the science which cures bodies, Jesus Christ was a
far more excellent Physician, able to cure not only bodies, but souls, by His
divine doctrine. Hermolaus succeeded in bringing him into the fold of the
Church.
The young Christian strove to
procure for his father the same grace he himself had received, and his words
had already begun to separate his father from his idols, when one day a blind
man, led by friends, came to the door and begged Pantaleon to cure him. His
father was present and heard the promise his son made to this man to do so, if
he would give to the poor the money he was offering him. The father was amazed
and feared that the promise could not be fulfilled. But the young Saint prayed
and touched the eyes of the blind man, invoking the name of Jesus Christ, and
his eyes were opened. Pantaleon’s father and the blind man were both baptized
as a result of this miracle. When Eustorgus, his father, died, Saint Pantaleon
liberated all his slaves and, having sold most of his possessions, gave to the
liberated ones and others the assistance their poverty required. He cured other
illnesses and soon became renowned in Nicomedia.
Saint Pantaleon, being a very
sincere penitent, ardently wished to expiate his former idolatry by the
martyrdom he could foresee. When a bloody persecution broke out at Nicomedia in
303, the blind man he had cured was beheaded upon refusing to admit that it was
the gods who had cured him. Saint Pantaleon, to prepare himself for the
imminent combat, distributed all he had left among the poor. Not long after
this act of charity he was arrested and subjected to various tortures, during
which he was preserved from death. Three other Christians, of whom one was
Hermolaus, were apprehended. After suffering many torments, the four confessors
were all sentenced to be beheaded.
The relics of Saint Pantaleon were
translated to Constantinople, and there received great honor. His blood,
conserved in a small vial, is said to liquefy on his feast day and become
oxygenated. Charlemagne brought a part of his relics into France, where they
are presently divided again, a portion being in the abbey of Saint Denys near
Paris, and the head at Lyons. Saint Pantaleon, whose name means the
“all-compassionate one,” is the patron of physicians.
Source: Les
Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et
Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 9.
Feast Date: July 27
A man whose life span was four years shorter than the Savior whom he served crammed into his twenty-nine years on earth enough achievement in science and religion to fill the entire fourth century. Like the great St. Luke of the New Testament, Panteleimon was a doctor and was referred to reverently as "a glorious physician." Unlike Luke, Panteleimon attained sainthood not through his evangelism, but through his talents as a physician whose efforts on behalf of the suffering were augmented by the power of the Divine.
Panteleimon the All-Merciful was born in A.D. 275 in Nikomedia, Asia Minor, of a pagan father and a Christian mother. From his father he derived a profound intellect; from his mother, spiritual awareness. Together they provided him with the skill and dedication that were to thrust him first into prominence, then into tragedy within a relatively short span of time. Of handsome appearance and noble bearing, Panteleimon was an impressive figure while still a student of the Empire's most noted physician, Euphrosinos, a teacher who took pride in his pupil's remarkable skill and dedication.
He had not been a physician long when his reputation as a healer drew him to the attention of Emperor Maximlian, who encouraged him by his personal sponsorship. This quickly led to Panteleimon's recognition as the foremost physician of the entire known world. Panteleimon became a familiar figure among the people as he went from one patient to another while yet serving the emperor and his court. The demand for his services kept him working at a feverish pace, an exhausting obligation he never shirked.
In the course of his rounds he had been observed by the pious Christian Ermolaos, one who remained in constant hiding in fear of persecution by the state for his overt promotion of Christianity. Ermolsos managed to intercept Panteleimon, whose great skill he lauded but who he thought needed to be reminded "from the Most High cometh healing." After a series of meetings the physician came to know his true Christian destiny, and thereafter his professionalism, as a man of medicine was subordinated to his role as a healer in the name of the Greatest Healer of them all. His power of healing was not attributable to a physician's skill alone, but to divine intervention as well.
As his reputation grew, Panteleimon came to be known more as a man of God than of science, an acknowledgement that brought wrath and cruel action by the emperor.
After being given the customary interrogation Panteleimon was offered the ultimate choice between Christ and the idols; his response was a reaffirmation of his Christianity. For the noble physician it was a two-edged sword: first because he was a fallen favorite whose betrayal was a personal rebuke to the emperor, and second because of the steadfastness of his loyalty to the Savior.
Not all of the fiendish designs of Panteleimon's torture are known, but history tells us that this honorable doctor and noble Christian was, among other things, stretched across a rack and burned by candles. Following this ordeal he was cast first into a fiery pit and then into a den of beasts. When he survived, the pagans were convinced he had the protection of some kind of sorcery.
It was finally decided that since there could be no antidote for drowning, he would be cast into a deep river with a huge stone bound to his body. When the stone proved buoyant, the exasperated torturers fished him out of the water and placed him on the execution block where he was beheaded. It was said that not blood but milk flowed from the severed head of the martyr. Panteleimon gave his life for Christ on 27 July 304.
Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon
Commemorated
on July 27
The Great Martyr and Healer
Panteleimon was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of the
illustrious pagan Eustorgius, and he was named Pantoleon. His mother Saint
Euboula (March 30) was a Christian. She wanted to raise her son in the
Christian Faith, but she died when the future martyr was just a young child.
His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school, after which the young man studied
medicine at Nicomedia under the renowned physician Euphrosynus. Pantoleon came
to the attention of the emperor Maximian (284-305), who wished to appoint him
as royal physician when he finished his schooling.
The hieromartyrs Hermolaus,
Hermippus and Hermocrates, survivors of the massacre of 20,000 Christians in
303 (December 28), were living secretly in Nicomedia at that time. Saint
Hermolaus saw Pantoleon time and again when he came to the house where they
were hiding. Once, the priest invited the youth to the house and spoke about
the Christian Faith. After this Pantoleon visited Saint Hermolaus every day.
One day the saint found a dead child
on the street. He had been bitten by a great snake, which was still beside the
child’s body. Pantoleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to revive the
dead child and to destroy the venomous reptile. He firmly resolved that if his
prayer were fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and receive
Baptism. The child rose up alive, and the snake died before Pantoleon’s eyes.
After this miracle, Pantoleon was
baptized by Saint Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon (meaning “all-merciful”).
Speaking with Eustorgius, Saint Panteleimon prepared him to accept
Christianity. When the father saw how his son healed a blind man by invoking
Jesus Christ, he then believed in Christ and was baptized by Saint Hermolaus
together with the man whose sight was restored.
After the death of his father, Saint
Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and
the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them
in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited those held captive in prison. These
were usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. In a short time,
reports of the charitable physician spread throughout the city. Forsaking the
other doctors, the inhabitants began to turn only to Saint Panteleimon.
The envious doctors told the emperor
that Saint Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximian urged the
saint to refute the charge by offering sacrifice to idols. Saint Panteleimon
confessed himself a Christian, and suggested that a sick person, for whom the
doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emperor. Then the
doctors could invoke their gods, and Panteleimon would pray to his God to heal
the man. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who
knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the
very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name
of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave Saint
Panteleimon over to fierce torture.
The Lord appeared to the saint and
strengthened him before his sufferings. They suspended the Great Martyr
Panteleimon from a tree and scraped him with iron hooks, burned him with fire
and then stretched him on the rack, threw him into a cauldron of boiling tar,
and cast him into the sea with a stone around his neck. Throughout these
tortures the martyr remained unhurt, and denounced the emperor.
At this time the priests Hermolaus,
Hermippus and Hermocrates were brought before the court of the pagans. All
three confessed their faith in the Savior and were beheaded (July 26).
By order of the emperor they brought
the Great Martyr Panteleimon to the circus to be devoured by wild beasts. The
animals, however, came up to him and licked his feet. The spectators began to
shout, “Great is the God of the Christians!” The enraged Maximian ordered the
soldiers to stab with the sword anyone who glorified Christ, and to cut off the
head of the Great Martyr Panteleimon.
They led the saint to the place of
execution and tied him to an olive tree. While the martyr prayed, one of the
soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword became soft like wax and
inflicted no wound. The saint completed his prayer, and a Voice was heard from
Heaven, calling the passion-bearer by his new name and summoning him to the
heavenly Kingdom.
Hearing the Voice, the soldiers fell
down on their knees before the holy martyr and begged forgiveness. They refused
to continue with the execution, but Saint Panteleimon told them to fulfill the
emperor’s command, because otherwise they would have no share with him in the
future life. The soldiers tearfully took their leave of the saint with a kiss.
When the saint was beheaded, the
olive tree to which the saint was tied became covered with fruit. Many who were
present at the execution believed in Christ. The saint’s body was thrown into a
fire, but remained unharmed, and was buried by Christians. Saint Panteleimon’s
servants Laurence, Bassos and Probus witnessed his execution and heard the
Voice from Heaven. They recorded the life, the sufferings and death of the
saint.
Portions of the holy relics of the
Great Martyr Panteleimon were distributed throughout all the Christian world.
His venerable head is now located at the Russian monastery of Saint Panteleimon
on Mt. Athos.
The veneration of the holy martyr in
the Russian Orthodox Church was already known in the twelfth century. Prince
Izyaslav (in Baptism, Panteleimon), the son of Saint Mstislav the Great, had an
image of Saint Panteleimon on his helmet. Through the intercession of the saint
he remained alive during a battle in the year 1151. On the Feast of the Great
Martyr Panteleimon, Russian forces won two naval victories over the Swedes (in
1714 near Hanhauze and in 1720 near Grenham).
Saint Panteleimon is venerated in
the Orthodox Church as a mighty saint, and the protector of soldiers. This
aspect of his veneration is derived from his first name Pantoleon, which means
“a lion in everything”. His second name, Panteleimon, given him at Baptism,
which means “all-merciful”, is manifest in the veneration of the martyr as a
healer. The connection between these two aspects of the saint is readily
apparent in that soldiers, receiving wounds more frequently than others, are
more in need of a physician-healer. Christians waging spiritual warfare also
have recourse to this saint, asking him to heal their spiritual wounds.
The holy Great Martyr and Healer
Panteleimon is invoked in the Mystery of Anointing the Sick, at the Blessing of
Water, and in the Prayers for the Sick.
Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon - Troparion &
Kontakion
Commemorated
on July 27
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon, /
entreat the merciful God, / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
Kontakion — Tone 5
You emulated the Merciful One, / and received
from Him the grace of healing, / passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon; / by
your prayers, heal our spiritual diseases / and continually drive away the
temptations of the enemy / from those who cry out in faith “Save us, O Lord.”
San Pantaleone Medico
e martire
m. 305 c.
Pantaleone
nacque nella seconda metà del III secolo a Nicomedia, nell’odierna Turchia.
Diventerà successivamente medico e sarà perseguitato dall'imperatore di
Costantinopoli Galerio per la sua adesione alla fede cristiana. Fu condannato a
morte nel 305: gli furono inchiodate le braccia sulla testa, che poi il boia
gli mozzò. È il patrono di medici (insieme ai santi Cosma e Damiano) e delle
ostetriche. Viene considerato uno dei quattordici santi ausiliatori (viene
invocato contro le infermità di consunzione).
Patronato: Ostetriche,
Crema (CR), Miglianico (CH), Ravello (SA), Pianella (PE)
Etimologia: Pantaleone =
interamente leone, forte in tutto, dal greco
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio Romano: A
Nicomedia in Bitinia, nell’odierna Turchia, san Pantaleone, martire, venerato
in Oriente per avere esercitato la sua professione di medico senza chiedere in
cambio alcun compenso.
Pantaleone (Pantoléon,
Pantaleémon in greco; Pantaleo in latino) godette fin dall'antichità di un
vasto culto in Oriente e in Occidente, al pari dei celebri Cosma e Damiano o
Ciro e Giovanni, coi quali divise nella rappresentazione agiografica il modello
martiriale e taumaturgico di santi medici "anargiri" e molti tratti
leggendari stereotipi, e al pari di altri santi intercessori (gruppo dei
quattordici Ausiliatori in Occidente). La sua popolarità è testimoniata
dalla Passio giuntaci in varie redazioni e vaneggiamenti in greco, armeno,
georgiano, copto, arabo.
Secondo la leggenda Pantaleone, nativo di Nicomedia in Bitinia, educato cristianamente dalla madre Eubule (ricordata nel Sinassario Costantinopolitano al 30 marzo), ma non ancora battezzato, è affidato dal padre pagano al grande medico Eufrosino e apprende la medicina tanto perfettamente da meritarsi l'ammirazione e l'affetto dell'imperatore Massimiano. Si avvicina alla fede cristiana da esempio e dalla dottrina di Ermolao, presbitero cristiano che vive nascosto per timore della persecuzione, il quale lo convince progressivamente ad abbandonare l'arte di Asclepio, garantendogli la capacità di guarire ogni male nel solo nome di Cristo: di ciò fa esperienza lo stesso Pantaleone, il quale, dopo aver visto risuscitare alla sola invocazione dei Cristo un bambino morto per il morso di una vipera, si fa battezzare. La guarigione di un cieco, che si era rivolto a lui dopo aver consumato tutte le sostanze appresso ad altri medici, provoca la guarigione spirituale e la conversione sia del cieco che del padre del santo. Alla sua morte Pantaleone, distribuito il patrimonio ai servi e ai poveri, diventa il medico di tutti, suscitando per l'esercizio gratuito della professione l'invidia e il risentimento dei colleghi e la conseguente denunzia all'imperatore. Il cieco, chiamato a testimoniare, nell'evidenziare la gratuità e la rapidità della guarigione, nonché l'incapacità e la venalità degli altri medici, fa l'apologia di Cristo contro Asclepio, guadagnandosi perciò il martirio.
Il racconto a questo punto segue la struttura propria di una passio: l'imperatore con lusinghe e dolci rimproveri tenta di dissuadere il giovane dal preferire Cristo ad Asclepio. Pantaleone propone un'ordalia tra i sacerdoti pagani e lui: intorno a un paralitico, appositamente convocato, inutilmente si affannano i sacerdoti, invocando tra gli dei anche Asclepio, Galeno e Ippocrate; il santo invece dopo una tirata antiidolatrica guarisce nel nome di Cristo l'ammalato. Il miracolo suscita la conversione di molti e l'ostinazione dei sacerdoti e dell'imperatore, che alle lusinghe fa seguire una lunga serie di tormenti: raschiamento con unghie di ferro e bruciature ai fianchi con fiaccole, annegamento, esposizione alle fiere, ruota. Ogni tentativo risulta inefficace e provoca vieppiù l'ira del tiranno, che accusa il santo di “magia”. La Passio prende quindi l'andamento di un romanzo ciclico con l'inserimento di altri santi personaggi, perché su subdolo invito dell'imperatore Pantaleone ingenuamente non solo fa il nome dei vecchio Ermolao e di altri due cristiani, ma li va a prendere lui stesso per condurli al cospetto del sovrano, che li fa morire. La sentenza di morte del giovane non esaurisce la fantasmagoria del meraviglioso: la punta ripiega come cera; i carnefici chiedono perdono al santo e una voce dall'alto cambia il nome dei giovane: “non ti chiamerai più Pantoleon, ma il tuo nome sarà Pantaleémon, perché avrai compassione di molti: tu infatti sarai porto per quelli sballottati dalla tempesta, rifugio degli afflitti, protettore degli oppressi, medico dei malati e persecutore dei demoni”. Sul modello di altre passioni antiche è il santo a esortare i carnefici a colpirlo e due ultimi prodigi chiudono il racconto: dalla ferita esce sangue misto a latte, mentre l'albero al quale Pantaleone viene legato si carica di frutti.
La critica agiografica ha da tempo riconosciuto il carattere totalmente fabuloso della Passio, un racconto infarcito dell’elemento meraviglioso e miracolistico, di motivi ricorrenti nella letteratura del genere: un testo tipico delle passioni tarde o artificiali, tendente non a definire il profilo storico, ma a delineare il “tipo” sovrumano dei martire intrepido, del santo taumaturgo che opera gratuitamente la salvezza fisica e spirituale dei devoti. Molto evidenti sono in particolare i punti in comune con le Vite e Passioni di santi medici anargiri (specialmente Cosma e Damiano): l'opposizione tra medicina pagana venale ed evergetismo cristiano, il motivo dell'invidia dei colleghi... Ma assai più evidenti sono gli intenti di una simile letteratura, mirante a edificare e più ancora a infondere attraverso le figure dei santi medici conforto e fiducia nei fedeli.
Malgrado lo scarsissimo credito della narrazione, sono ben attestate le coordinate agiografiche. Il dies natalis di Pantaleone è prevalentemente fissato al 27 luglio, talora con oscillazione di qualche giorno. Il Martirologio Geronimiano al 28 luglio ha in Nicomedia Pantaleonis. Il Sinassario della Chiesa costantinopolitana ricorda Pantaleone al 27 luglio. Negli altri martirologi siriaci prevale la data bizantina del 27 luglio, ma il Martirologio di Rabban Sliba (Xlll sec.), oltre il 27 Tamouz (luglio), lo ricorda anche nei giorni 1 e 15 Tisrin I (ottobre). I martirologi storici medioevali dell'Anonimo Lionese, di Adone, di Usuardo, dipendenti dal Geronimiano, danno al 28 luglio una breve sintesi derivante dalla Passio latina, ricordando al 27 s. Ermolao e compagni. Il Calendario latino dei Sinai, probabilmente proveniente dall'Africa, dei sec. VIII o IX, ricorda Pantaleone il 25 febbraio, data forse di qualche fondazione o traslazione, che può essere accostata a quelle del 15 o del 19 febbraio rispettivamente del Calendario Marmoreo Napoletano (IX sec.) e del calendario mozarabico.
Secondo la leggenda Pantaleone, nativo di Nicomedia in Bitinia, educato cristianamente dalla madre Eubule (ricordata nel Sinassario Costantinopolitano al 30 marzo), ma non ancora battezzato, è affidato dal padre pagano al grande medico Eufrosino e apprende la medicina tanto perfettamente da meritarsi l'ammirazione e l'affetto dell'imperatore Massimiano. Si avvicina alla fede cristiana da esempio e dalla dottrina di Ermolao, presbitero cristiano che vive nascosto per timore della persecuzione, il quale lo convince progressivamente ad abbandonare l'arte di Asclepio, garantendogli la capacità di guarire ogni male nel solo nome di Cristo: di ciò fa esperienza lo stesso Pantaleone, il quale, dopo aver visto risuscitare alla sola invocazione dei Cristo un bambino morto per il morso di una vipera, si fa battezzare. La guarigione di un cieco, che si era rivolto a lui dopo aver consumato tutte le sostanze appresso ad altri medici, provoca la guarigione spirituale e la conversione sia del cieco che del padre del santo. Alla sua morte Pantaleone, distribuito il patrimonio ai servi e ai poveri, diventa il medico di tutti, suscitando per l'esercizio gratuito della professione l'invidia e il risentimento dei colleghi e la conseguente denunzia all'imperatore. Il cieco, chiamato a testimoniare, nell'evidenziare la gratuità e la rapidità della guarigione, nonché l'incapacità e la venalità degli altri medici, fa l'apologia di Cristo contro Asclepio, guadagnandosi perciò il martirio.
Il racconto a questo punto segue la struttura propria di una passio: l'imperatore con lusinghe e dolci rimproveri tenta di dissuadere il giovane dal preferire Cristo ad Asclepio. Pantaleone propone un'ordalia tra i sacerdoti pagani e lui: intorno a un paralitico, appositamente convocato, inutilmente si affannano i sacerdoti, invocando tra gli dei anche Asclepio, Galeno e Ippocrate; il santo invece dopo una tirata antiidolatrica guarisce nel nome di Cristo l'ammalato. Il miracolo suscita la conversione di molti e l'ostinazione dei sacerdoti e dell'imperatore, che alle lusinghe fa seguire una lunga serie di tormenti: raschiamento con unghie di ferro e bruciature ai fianchi con fiaccole, annegamento, esposizione alle fiere, ruota. Ogni tentativo risulta inefficace e provoca vieppiù l'ira del tiranno, che accusa il santo di “magia”. La Passio prende quindi l'andamento di un romanzo ciclico con l'inserimento di altri santi personaggi, perché su subdolo invito dell'imperatore Pantaleone ingenuamente non solo fa il nome dei vecchio Ermolao e di altri due cristiani, ma li va a prendere lui stesso per condurli al cospetto del sovrano, che li fa morire. La sentenza di morte del giovane non esaurisce la fantasmagoria del meraviglioso: la punta ripiega come cera; i carnefici chiedono perdono al santo e una voce dall'alto cambia il nome dei giovane: “non ti chiamerai più Pantoleon, ma il tuo nome sarà Pantaleémon, perché avrai compassione di molti: tu infatti sarai porto per quelli sballottati dalla tempesta, rifugio degli afflitti, protettore degli oppressi, medico dei malati e persecutore dei demoni”. Sul modello di altre passioni antiche è il santo a esortare i carnefici a colpirlo e due ultimi prodigi chiudono il racconto: dalla ferita esce sangue misto a latte, mentre l'albero al quale Pantaleone viene legato si carica di frutti.
La critica agiografica ha da tempo riconosciuto il carattere totalmente fabuloso della Passio, un racconto infarcito dell’elemento meraviglioso e miracolistico, di motivi ricorrenti nella letteratura del genere: un testo tipico delle passioni tarde o artificiali, tendente non a definire il profilo storico, ma a delineare il “tipo” sovrumano dei martire intrepido, del santo taumaturgo che opera gratuitamente la salvezza fisica e spirituale dei devoti. Molto evidenti sono in particolare i punti in comune con le Vite e Passioni di santi medici anargiri (specialmente Cosma e Damiano): l'opposizione tra medicina pagana venale ed evergetismo cristiano, il motivo dell'invidia dei colleghi... Ma assai più evidenti sono gli intenti di una simile letteratura, mirante a edificare e più ancora a infondere attraverso le figure dei santi medici conforto e fiducia nei fedeli.
Malgrado lo scarsissimo credito della narrazione, sono ben attestate le coordinate agiografiche. Il dies natalis di Pantaleone è prevalentemente fissato al 27 luglio, talora con oscillazione di qualche giorno. Il Martirologio Geronimiano al 28 luglio ha in Nicomedia Pantaleonis. Il Sinassario della Chiesa costantinopolitana ricorda Pantaleone al 27 luglio. Negli altri martirologi siriaci prevale la data bizantina del 27 luglio, ma il Martirologio di Rabban Sliba (Xlll sec.), oltre il 27 Tamouz (luglio), lo ricorda anche nei giorni 1 e 15 Tisrin I (ottobre). I martirologi storici medioevali dell'Anonimo Lionese, di Adone, di Usuardo, dipendenti dal Geronimiano, danno al 28 luglio una breve sintesi derivante dalla Passio latina, ricordando al 27 s. Ermolao e compagni. Il Calendario latino dei Sinai, probabilmente proveniente dall'Africa, dei sec. VIII o IX, ricorda Pantaleone il 25 febbraio, data forse di qualche fondazione o traslazione, che può essere accostata a quelle del 15 o del 19 febbraio rispettivamente del Calendario Marmoreo Napoletano (IX sec.) e del calendario mozarabico.
La diocesi di Crema, in provincia di Cremona, lo celebra il 10 giugno, giorno in cui per sua intercessione la città fu liberata dalla peste.
Autore: Antonello Antonelli
