Traudel
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 Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: July 27th - Pantaleon the Physician M (RM) |
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July 27th - Pantaleon the Physician M (RM)
(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). Together with Saints Cosmas and Damian, Pantaleon is the
patron
of the medical profession (Bentley). He is invoked against lung disease
(Sheppard).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0727.shtml
Saint Quote:
Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong
to
Him whom the angels serve.
-Saint Agnes of Rome
Bible Quote:
He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in that which
is
greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little, is unjust also in
that
which is greater. (Luke 16:10)
<><><><>
"Lead, Kindly Light" a prayer of John Henry Cardinal Newman:
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home.
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene -
One step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that Thou-
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path, but no.
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will;
Remember not my past years.
So long Thy power hast blessed me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since,
And lost awhile. |
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