25/10/2024
A blessed feast day to all who are celebrating today the feast of Saint Dimitrios
26 October 2024 - The Holy and Great Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer and Patron of Thessaloniki
This glorious and wonderworking saint was born in Thessaloniki of noble and devout parents who raised and educated him with great care. Demetrios’ father was a commander in Thessaloniki. When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed Demetrios as commander in his place. As he appointed him, Maximian, an opponent of Christ, particularly recommended that he persecute and exterminate the Christians in Thessaloniki. Demetrios not only disobeyed the emperor but openly confessed and preached the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Thessaloniki. When the emperor heard of this, he became furious with Demetrios. Then, when he was returning from battle against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped at Thessaloniki to investigate the matter. The emperor summoned Demetrios and questioned him about his faith. Demetrios openly acknowledged his Christian Faith to the emperor and also denounced the emperor's idolatry. Maximian cast Demetrios into prison. Knowing what was awaiting him, Demetrios gave all his goods to his faithful servant Lupus to distribute to the poor, and joyfully awaited his imminent suffering for Christ the Lord. An angel of God appeared to him in prison, saying: "Peace be to you, O sufferer of Christ; be brave and be strong!" After several days, the emperor sent soldiers to the prison to kill Demetrios. The soldiers found the saint of God at prayer and ran him through with lances. Christians secretly took his body and honorably buried it. Healing myrrh flowed from the body of the martyr of Christ, curing many. Soon, a small church was built over his relics.
An Illyrian nobleman, Leontius, was afflicted with an incurable illness. He hastened, with prayer, to the relics of St. Demetrios and was completely healed. In thanksgiving, Leontius erected a much larger church on the site of the old church. The saint appeared to him on two occasions. When Emperor Justinian wanted to transfer the relics of the saint from Thessaloniki to Constantinople, flaming sparks sprang from the tomb and a voice was heard: "Stop, and do not touch!" And thus, the relics of St. Demetrios have remained for all time in Thessaloniki. As the protector of Thessaloniki, St. Demetrios has appeared many times, and on many occasions has saved Thessaloniki from great calamity. His miracles are without number.
Apolytikion of the Day (Third Tone)
The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.
