St. Pantaleon - Patron of Doctors - July 27th
Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that the Emperor himself chose him for his own doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, Pantaleon got into trouble. He was a Christian, but little by little he let the bad example all around him ruin him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans, until at last he committed the great sin of giving up his Christian Faith entirely.
A holy priest named Hermolaos was deeply saddened to see the famous doctor desert Our Lord. He went to him and, with his wise, kind words, made him realize what a sin he had committed. Pantaleon listened to him and admitted that he had done very wrong. He detested his sin and joined the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he greatly desired to suffer and die for charity by taking care of poor sick people without any charge.
When the Emperor Diocletian began his persecution, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Not long afterwards, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian, and he was given the choice of denying his Faith or being put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to say he was not a Christian and no torture could make him do it.
There has been strong devotion in past ages to this Saint. In the East he is called the “Great Martyr and Wonder-worker.”
Let us avoid all companions, TV and radio programs, or books and magazines which could be a danger to our Faith.
