Pantaleon

Saint Pantaleon was born in Nicomedia in Bithynia (in today’s Turkey), the son of a wealthy pagan father and a Christian mother, Saint Eubula. After his mother’s death he drifted from the faith while studying medicine under a renowned physician, eventually serving as physician to the emperor. Through the quiet witness of Saint Hermolaus, Pantaleon returned to Christ, learning to trust the true “Physician of souls” above all earthly skill. His compassion soon shone in deeds: invoking the name of Jesus, he miraculously healed the sick, converted his father, and then used his inheritance to free slaves and give generously to the poor. During the Diocletianic persecution he was denounced by jealous colleagues and pressured to renounce Christ. Pantaleon instead confessed the faith openly, enduring severe tortures and remaining steadfast until he was finally beheaded in 305. Honored in East and West as an unmercenary healer and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is invoked especially by physicians and midwives. His feast day is July 27.