Icon of Saint Great Martyr Panteleimon. 19th century






Great Martyr Panteleimon (275–305) is considered the patron saint of doctors and the healer of the sick. In his earthly life, Saint Panteleimon was a physician. He lived in Nicodimia in northwest Asia Minor in the 3rd century. He devoted his whole life to the destitute and suffering, leading them to the Christian faith. For confession of Christianity, the saint was subjected to terrible tortures on the orders of Emperor Maximilian, but no torture caused him harm. Icons depict Saint Great Martyr Panteleimon with a casket for medicines that look like miraculous relics in one hand and a measuring spoon for medicines in the other.