Saint Pantaleon
Physician martyred at Nicomedia around 305
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Martyr
- Life
- d. ~305
- Era
- 4th century
- Feast
- 27 July
- Countries
- Türkiye
Life story
His martyrdom is better supported than his biography: he died around 305 at Nicomedia, now Izmit in Turkey, during the persecution of Diocletian. Devotion to him is attested in the fifth century by Theodoret and Procopius, and his name appears in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum.
The detailed story of his life comes from late hagiographies: he was a physician, said to have served the emperor (Maximian or Galerius depending on the source), was brought to the faith by Hermolaus, worked many miracles, and survived failed executions until he finally died. The Catholic Encyclopedia calls these accounts valueless as history, and sources disagree on the role of Hermolaus.
His name is often explained as meaning all-compassionate, an explanation that comes from later hagiography. In the Eastern tradition the name appears in the form Panteleimon.
His relics were venerated at Nicomedia and then moved to Constantinople; other parts are claimed at Saint-Denis near Paris, and his head at Lyon. A phial of his blood, now shown at Ravello, is said to liquefy each year on his feast; this is a local belief that cannot be verified. His feast is 27 July.
Works and witness
- Martyred at Nicomedia around 305
- According to tradition, practised as a physician
- Venerated from the fifth century
- Relics claimed at Constantinople, Saint-Denis and Lyon
Patron of
Physicians, Midwives
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Pantaleon" (newadvent.org/cathen/11447a.htm)
- Vatican City State, Saint of the day, 27 July (vaticanstate.va)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.