Last Thursday, the festive divine liturgy was held at the honouring church of Saint Panteleimon in Dandenong, with the presence of Bishop Kyriakos, accompanied by several members the clergy of Melbourne.
On behalf of the Community and Parish of “Saint Panteleimon” in Dandenong, President Stefanos Karamoschos and Father Antonios Krinas expressed their gratitude to all the faithful who attended the church and honoured the grand celebration.
Kostas Alaveras, Dandenong Community’s Media Manager, also extended his gratitude to all the volunteers for the great success of the celebration.
The community will celebrate the saint with great splendour in a festive liturgy that will take place on October 28, as part ofthe two-day events of October 28-29 in honour of the 1940 anniversary.
Further details will be announced later.
Saint Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Healer
Saint Panteleimon (previously known as Panteleon) hailed from Nikomedia in Asia Minor and lived during the time of Maximian (286 – 305 AD).
His father, Eustorgios, was a pagan, but after his son’s teachings, he became a Christian. His mother, Euvouli, came from a Christian family.
He was trained in medicine by Eufrosynos and received Christian catechism and baptism from the priest Ermolaos, who was a priest of the Church of Nikomedia.
At some point, when a snake bit and killed a young man, Saint Panteleimon, invoking Christ, resurrected him.
His martyrdom was triggered by another miracle of Saint Panteleimon. Once, he healed a blind man who then reported the miracle to the king, saying that Panteleimon healed him in the name of Christ, whom he now believed in. After hearing this, the king immediately ordered Panteleimon’s execution. However, the Lord appeared before him in the form of the spiritual Ermolaos and gave him courage.
Ultimately, the king ordered his beheading, but as soon as the executioner’s sword came down, it bent and the iron melted like wax.
Witnessing this miracle, the soldiers present became Christians. Saint Panteleimon willingly submitted to martyrdom. It is said that from his wound, milk flowed instead of blood, and the olive tree to which he was tied suddenly bore fruit.
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
