Saint Pantaleon
Stored in Cargo: Saint Pantaleon
| Saint Pantaleon | |
| Feast Day | July 27 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Physicians, midwives, livestock |
| Birthplace | Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (beheading) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint Pantaleon, Cologne, Germany |
Saint Pantaleon (3rd century AD – 305 AD) was a physician and martyr, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Born in Nicomedia, Bithynia, he converted to Christianity and was beheaded during Diocletian’s persecution. Canonized pre-Congregation, he is venerated for his healing and martyrdom.[1]
Pantaleon is the patron saint of physicians, midwives, and livestock, with his feast day on 27 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, his relics at the Church of Saint Pantaleon, Cologne, draw pilgrims. His cult inspires medical devotion.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Pantaleon was born in the 3rd century AD, likely 275 AD, in Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire, to a pagan father and Christian mother.[1] Nicomedia’s urban culture shaped his early life. His father, Eustorgius, ensured medical training.
His mother’s faith influenced his conversion.[3]
Early Life
Pantaleon studied medicine, serving as physician to Emperor Maximian.[4] Converted by a Christian priest, Hermolaus, around 303 AD, he practiced medicine freely, healing the poor. His faith led to arrest during Diocletian’s persecution, where he endured torture.
His miracles during trial inspired conversions.[5]
Occupation
Pantaleon was a physician and martyr.[1] He treated patients in Nicomedia, using skills for charity after conversion. His “occupation” as a martyr involved enduring torture, proclaiming Christ.
His healing miracles shaped his legend.[6]
Vocation
Pantaleon’s religious vocation began with baptism around 303 AD.[1] His medical charity and defiance of pagan authorities defined his calling. Facing execution, he prayed for his persecutors, earning martyr status.
His courage influenced early hagiographies.[7]
Death
Pantaleon was martyred in 305 AD in Nicomedia, Bithynia, beheaded, likely aged 30.[1] Executed under Diocletian, his death inspired devotion. Relics were dispersed, notably to Cologne.
His cult spread widely.[8]
Significant events
- Converted to Christianity, 303 AD.[5]
- Arrested for faith, 304 AD.[6]
- Performed miracles, 304 AD.[4]
- Martyred in Nicomedia, 305 AD.[1]
- Relics to Cologne, 4th century AD.[7]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire
Death location: Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Pantaleon’s sainthood was recognized post-305 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his martyrdom affirmed sanctity. Early hagiographies documented his life.
Devotion grew in Nicomedia.[1]
Venerable
Pantaleon was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His martyrdom affirmed virtue. Eastern churches ensured his status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Pantaleon did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] His veneration bypassed such stages. Nicomedia honored him with a feast day by the 4th century.
This aligns with early martyrs.[3]
Canonization
Pantaleon was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] His feast day of 27 July was set by the 4th century. No miracles were required; his martyrdom sufficed.
His veneration thrives in Cologne.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Pantaleon was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on martyrdom. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Pantaleon’s canonization.[1] His martyrdom sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early martyrs.[5]
Other notable miracles
- Legends cite healings during his trial, undocumented.[2]
- Relics in Cologne linked to cures, undocumented.[7]
Patronage
Saint Pantaleon is the patron saint of physicians, midwives, and livestock.[2] His patronage supports healing.[9]
Feast day
Pantaleon’s feast day is 27 July, celebrated with Masses in Cologne and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to his church mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Pantaleon is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Church of Saint Pantaleon.[2] Physicians seek his intercession. His relics are displayed on his feast day.
Depicted with a vial, his healing, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in hagiographies.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Pantaleon
- Catholic.org: St. Pantaleon
- Franciscan Media: Saint Pantaleon
- Catholic News Agency: St. Pantaleon
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Pantaleon". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pantaleon/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Pantaleon". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=146. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Pantaleon". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11358a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Pantaleon". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pantaleon. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Pantaleon". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-pantaleon/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Pantaleon". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-pantaleon-592. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Hans Mueller. "Church of Saint Pantaleon". Archdiocese of Cologne. https://www.colognediocese.de/pantaleon. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Pantaleon". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/27/101901-saint-pantaleon-the-martyr. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Pantaleon". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-pantaleon. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Pantaleon, Physician and Martyr". CatholicSaints via X. 27 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/pantaleon2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.