St. Pantaleon was the highly esteemed physician in ordinary of Emperor Maximian. Besides all kinds of physical and spiritual help he gave, he supported many poor people sharing his goods. In the East he is counted among the `hagioi anargyrioi` which means that he helped without being payed for it. In the East they were quasi the counterparts of our helpers. Among the doctors there were envious collegues who betrayed him being a Christian. "I rather want my hands to be withered than that I lift them to take an oath upon the pagan gods ", Pantaleon said being a convinced Christian. As he was bound to an olive- tree his hands were nailed on his head by his tormentors. He prayed for them while he died. That is why he got the name of "Panteleimon". In some churches there were ampullas made of glass where the blood of the Saint is conserved. In the Convent of St. Augustin`s nunnery in Madrid the so-called wonder of St. Pantaleon takes place on July 27th. The blood in the ampulla becomes liquid and bubbles up (cf. also St. Januarius). In 871 Archbishop Gero of Cologne brought with him a relic from Constantinople. The church which has been built there in the Roman style keeps his skull since 1208. The church is an attraction for those who are interested in history of art. In Austria there are two places called St. Pantaleon. At Oberrotweil in the South of Germany there is an old tradition: A procession of horses in his honour.
| Name: | in Greek: Panteleimon : full of pity , compassion |
| Day of Commemoration: | July 27th |
| Native Place: | Nicomedia (Turkey) |
| Year of Death: | 305 tortured as the physician in ordinary of Emperor Maximian |
| Distinguishing Feature: | hands nailed on his head |
| Particular Patronage: | patron of doctors, midwives, diseased persons, helper against head-ache. |
Prayer:St. Pantaleon, you know that it is hard to be ill without hope to get well again. Sometimes it is even more difficult to see someone suffer whom we love and whom we cannot help. Pray for the doctors in whom we trust. Give them wisdom and patience for the right way of treatment.
