"You were made worthy of great gifts, O all-praised ones..."

Sts. Cosmas and Damian the Holy Wonderworking Unmercenaries (source)

You were made worthy of great gifts, O all-praised ones, for you lived your lives in humility upon the earth, and you proceed everywhere, granting the gifts of healing of the passions, and you appeared as fellow conversers with the Angels, O Kosmas together with Damian, the most joyous and wise brothers: do heal our passions as well, through your prayers.

-Idiomelon from the Vespers Aposticha for the Feast of Sts. Kosmas and Damian, by Germanos

(source)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Homily II on St. Panteleimon by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  
Homily II on St. Panteleimon by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes: "A Lesson of Love"
"This I command you, to love one another." (John 15:17)
"The feast of a martyr is to imitate the martyr." [Quote of St. John Chrysostom]
The stars, my beloved, are not only contained in heaven, but our Church has its own, and the stars of the Church are the Saints (Martyrs, Confessors, Venerable Saints, Teachers and Fathers). The stars illumine heaven, but the noetic firmament of the Church is also illumined by the noetic stars, the Saints. They shine with their life, their virtues, their wonders. And like in heaven "star differs from star according to its radiance" (I Corinthians 15:41), thus among the Saints there are differences. One star of great prominence is today's Saint, the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. Let's take courage to utter a few words, weaving a humble encomium to his memory.

St. Panteleimon was born in the era of terrible persecutions against Christianity, during the reign of Maximian (286-305AD), in a land whose name brings forth tears, in a land which gave birth to so many of the Saints and Martyrs: Asia Minor. Specifically, his homeland was Nicomedia of Bithinia. There was his church, but on a dreadful day in August 1922, the children of Hagar reduced it to rubble. Today in Nicomedia, the bells do not ring. I believe, however, that one day they will ring there again!

His parents were nobles, aristocrats. His father was Eustorgios, an idolater in the close court of the king. His mother, Euboule, was a Christian according to tradition, and implanted in the heart of the child the seed of the faith and of virtue. The Saint, however, had the misfortune of losing his mother. Only those who have lost their mothers can sense the loss which is left in a family by her absence.

However, the seed which his mother had sown within him was not lost. The child grew, became a man and was noted for his goodness. His rich father made provisions to send him to the best teachers, and even to the famous professor of medicine, Euphrosynos. He studied near him, excelled in his lessons and later finished as a great physician. He, however, was still an idolater, and did not believe in Christ.

One encounter, however, changed his life. While he was still young, he met a pious priest of Nicomedia, Ermolaos, who led him into the mystery of Christianity . "If you wish to become a physician," he told him, "you must know the first and greatest physician of souls and bodies, and this is our Lord Jesus Christ!" He related His life and miracles, and from then, the young man began to take care to believe.

The young physician wished to test if things said by Ermolaos were true. And one day, as he was traveling through the countryside, he saw a child who had died, and next to him was a serpent fleeing who had poisoned him. He knelt beside the body, and lifted up his eyes on high and said: "In the name of Jesus Christ, O child, arise, and you, O beast, depart." And immediately, the child came to life, and the serpent died. This event, along with others like it, strengthened within him faith in Christ. He told this to Ermolaos, and was baptized.

The healings which he continued to work were many and are written in his Synaxarion. Only one I will say, that he was serving as a physician in Nicomedia, which had at that time, before the founding of Constantinople, served as the first city of the nation. His fame had spread. He healed with medical drugs, but there where science lifted up its hands out of weakness, in those difficult situations, St. Panteleimon prayed and said: "In the name of Jesus Christ...", and the sick were healed wondrously. His successes however brought about the wrath of his fellow doctors. They condemned him to the king, and thus he was brought before him. Maximian tried to coerce him to become an idolater and to sacrifice to the idols, but he stood immovable. And thus began his martyrdom.
  

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  

I will not relate his martyrdom in detail. The Saint's faith was great, and he was victorious through fire, and the sword, and iron nails, and ravenous beasts, and the wheel, and the sea, through everything. Many believed in Christ, not just through his wondrous healings, but through his manliness at the hour of his martyrdom. And aristocrats of the court and courtiers and patricians of the highest ranks, in addition to simple people came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because through all of the Saint's wonders, I discern that the greatest thing was his daily way of life: his love and his philanthropic offering, the sacrifice of himself in order to help his neighbor, his virtuous and chaste way of life, that which is sought of every Christian by the Lord.

In the end, according to the command of the emperor, the military guard led him two kilometers outside of Nicomedia, and there, before the sun had risen, around dawn, the lightning strike of the executioner's sword cut off the head of the Saint. And then, instead of blood, milk poured forth, according to the Synaxarion. And though his precious Relic was laid in the earth, it became a treasury and spring of wonders, while his holy soul flew to the heavenly mansions, to dwell among the Angels and Archangels, and from there, to intercede for everyone, and especially for his homeland of Nicomedia, that again she might see the glory of the faith and that the bells might ring there joyously through a national and religious resurrection.

As I said in the beginning, my beloved, "The feast of a martyr is to imitate the martyr", as described by the sacred Chrysostom. Are we celebrating a martyr? Then we should imitate him. Today, therefore, from the world of the bodiless spirits beyond, the voice of St. Panteleimon reaches us, and mystically speaks to the ears of our souls: "O Christians who are honoring me, become my imitators!"

The Saints are the most clear sign that Christianity is not a utopia, a theory, a philosophy, it is a reality, a harmonious life. They reveal that Christianity crosses the ages and rules in all stations. The Saints are the heroes of the faith and of virtue, the pinnacles of prototypes worthy of imitation.

Today, St. Panteleimon compels us, as the teacher of all, and especially those who are educated, rational, and who are scientists and physicians. There is a false idea that is cultivated by the children of darkness that science is not compatible with our faith. It is false, a satanic lie. Because we see today's Saint was an educated and wise scientist, and through this also believed in the Lord. And not only St. Panteleimon, but many other Saints of the Church. And not only Saints of the ancient eras, but many contemporary and great scientists of national fame (physicians, chemists, mathematicians, physicists, astronomers, and every specialty) believe in God and confess Christ. I know of scientists in Athens who believe, fast and pray, and--it may seem strange to you--arise at midnight to pray the prayer rope! I know of a surgeon in "Evangelismos" Hospital who never takes up the scalpel without kneeling to say: "Lord Jesus Christ, help me, the sinner." Science, not of dimwits, but of great minds, kneels before the Crucified One. In Germany, a surgeon wrote a book with the title: "Behind us stands God", in other words, behind our science is found Christ, the Physician of souls and bodies.

But the Saint is not just the teacher of learned scientists, but of all Christians. He teaches us a lesson which is most simple, but also the most difficult. It is the two words of the Nazarene, which we heard in today's Gospel: "This I command you, to love one another." (John 15:17) It is the lesson of love. And this is taught by St. Panteleimon, because he applied this himself [in his own life]. Whatever he had, he offered, and he became a servant of the people, and suggests to us that we become benefactors, philanthropists and merciful in our social circles. Because of this, I entreat you to be moved even more deeply to deeds of love and philanthropy. Do not wait for everything from the government, from others.

May God, through the intercessions of St. Panteleimon, protect our whole people, that we might with peace and love worship our Lord Jesus Christ unto the ages of ages. Amen.
(+) Bishop Avgoustinos
From a homily recorded in the old Church of St. Panteleimon in Florina on Saturday July 27th, 1968(source)

  

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercu on us and save us! Amen!

"Let us hasten to the memory of the Unmercenaries..."

Sts. Kosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries (source)

  
Let us hasten to the memory of the Unmercenaries with a clean heart and a pure conscience, and let us cry out to them: Rejoice, O dyad, the healing of the sick, for you received from God the authority to perform healings.
-Prosomoion from the Aposticha for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Kosmas and Damian

(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to the Holy Unmercenaries (Greek Video)

Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to the Holy Unmercenaries (in Greek), for healing of soul and body, served in the Church of St. Panteleimon, Ampelokipi, Thessaloniki (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary

Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (in Greek), for healing of soul and body, served in the Church of St. Panteleimon, Ampelokipi, Thessaloniki (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to St. Luke the Surgeon (Greek)

Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon of Simferopol (in Greek), for healing of soul and body, served in the Church of St. Panteleimon, Ampelokipi, Thessaloniki (source)

  

Sts. Nektarios of Pentapolis and Luke of Simferopol, two great hierarchs and Wonderworkers of the 20th century (source)
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

A Prayer for Cancer Patients

Icon of the Theotokos "Pantanassa" ("Queen of All"), also known as "The Healer of Cancer" (source)

  

An Orthodox Prayer for Cancer Patients,

from the Cell of Elder Gabriel the Athonite,

Approved by the Orthodox Church of Greece
  

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who rules over the spirits of affliction and health for those who call upon You with fervor of heart, and who with faith in You have emptied themselves, hearken to us sinners, along with those afflicted with the dangerous illness of cancer, and who have been seized from among us, and who persist in longstanding and painful illness, our fathers, brethren and children, full of deep sorrows and pains, and who, unable to flee from their death, entreat everyone [to pray for them]. O Lord, through Your illumining and sanctifying Spirit, guide in medical science those who are seeking to discover and use the good medicine and revealing therapy. Grant strength to those who are suffering, and patience and relief from their pains, bestowing on them every healing of soul and body, through the intercessions of our Most-blessed Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the Life-giving Spring, whose waters in the queen of cities [Constantinople] healed the passion of cancer, of our Father among the Saints Parthenios, Bishop of Lampsakos, of the holy, glorious and wonderworking Unmercenaries, of the holy, glorious Great Martyr Panteleimon, [of St. Nektarios of Pentapolis, or other Saints desired to be commemorated, etc.] and of all Your Saints. Amen.
(source)
  

St. Parthenios of Lampsakos, among the Saints whose prayers especially help cancer patients (source)

   

Picture documenting "Great Helpers Against Cancer", or wonderworking Saints whose prayers especially help those suffering from this affliction, including: The Most-Holy Theotokos Pantanassa ("The Healer of Cancer"), Sts. Nektarios of Aegina, Ephraim of Nea Makri, Parthenios of Lampsakos, Patapios of Thebes, John Maximovitch, Anastasia of Rome and John the Russian (source)

   

Icon depicting the Holy Hierarchs and Wonderworkers: Sts. Luke of Simferopol, Nektarios of Pentapolis, and John of San Francisco (source)

   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to St. Julian of Emesa (Mar Elian Homsi) the Martyr and Unmercenary

St. Julian of Emesa (Mar Elian Homsi) the Martyr and Unmercenary - Commemorated February 6th (source)

  

The following are beautiful recordings in three parts of the Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to St. Julian of Emesa (Mar Elian Homsi), the Martyr and Unmercenary (تراتيل براكليسي القديس إليان الحمصي الطبيب الشافي )

   

May St. Elian help all those who are sick and suffering throughout the world, especially the Christians in the Middle East!

  

Part I (source)

 

Part II (source)

 

Part III (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  
Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to the Glorious Martyr and Unmercenary Healer Tryphon

After the "Blessed is our God", the "Lord, hear my prayer...", followed by:

God is the Lord and He revealed Himself to us, blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord (x4, with verses)

Troparion in the Fourth Tone. O You Who were lifted on the Cross.

To him who appeared as a trophy-bearer amidst struggles, and who is the namesake of godly nourishment, Tryphon the glorious Martyr of Christ, let us hymn and cry out to him: Deliver your entreaters from abject dangers, those who call upon your wondrous name with fervor, O Unmercenary.

Glory. Both now.

O Theotokos, we shall never be silent...

Then, Psalm 50, followed by the Canon in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

Ode I. Crossing the water as on dry land.

O Saint of God, intercede on our behalf.
As you are nourished with godly nourishment in the Heavens, O Martyr Tryphon, as an all-perfect Champion, through your intercessions, deliver my soul from bitter food.

O Saint of God, intercede on our behalf.
You hearkened to the divine words, and put them into practice, O Blessed Tryphon, and you loved them practically in your holy life, therefore make be worthy to live in holiness.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
You became a shepherd of your soul, O Tryphon, with wisdom in your thoughts. Make me ever worthy to be shepherded through your compassion, O Martyr, with divine wisdom.

Both now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion.

Illumine me with the noetic Light [Christ], Whom you bore, the radiance of the glory of the Father, O all-spotless Lady, and disperse the darkness of my sin.

Ode III. You are the foundation.

O Saint of God...
You cast down the might of the evil one, O glorious Tryphon, through the power of God. Therefore, deliver us from his schemes.

You trampled upon the fleshly serpent, O Tryphon, and put to end the enemy. Therefore, ever put to death his wiles, through your divine intercessions.

With your presence alone, O Tryphon, you truly made the evil spirits flee, through the power of the Spirit.

Theotokion.

Having you as my help, O All-Spotless one, I will not be overcome by any dangers in my life, with you as my protector, who saves me from afflictions.
  

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  

Ode IV. I have hearkened and heard, O Lord.

O God-bearer and Unmercenary, surround all those who honor you, and speedily grant them healing through your intercessions to the Savior.

 

As one nourished with eternal glory and rejoicing, O glorious Tryphon, intercede that those who hymn you might be delivered from every trial.

 

As one estranged from the love of God through the guile of the serpent, O glorious one, and through your intercessions, call me back, and deliver me from his hands.

 

Theotokion.

I have placed all my hopes in you, O Ever-Virgin, and I cry out to you: deliver me from every danger through your intercessions.

 

Ode V. Illumine us.

That I might hymn you as my protector, O glorious Tryphon, ever deliver your entreater from every danger through your prayers.

 

Grant me, the wretched one, victory against the enemy, O ever-memorable Tryphon, through your prayers, that, having been saved, I might ever glorify you.

 

Grant eternal life to your servant, O Martyr Tryphon, as a physician of souls and bodies, for I know you as a free healer of afflictions.

 

Theotokion.

O Spotless Pure One, the name that is sweetest to me, through your mighty protection, save me, who have hastened to take refuge in you.

 

Ode VI. Have mercy on my, O Savior.

Wither the atrocious ashes and miasmas and mania of the idols, O glorious one, and water our plants with the waters of piety, for all those who praise you with gracious hymns, O Tryphon.

 

Your eternal and martyric blood, O Champion, ever pours forth fragrance like myrrh, pouring forth healings, and the dust of your body sanctifies the souls of those who approach you in faith.

 

Having seen you as a worker of healings, O glorious Tryphon, make the passions to wither, as we ever draw from you as from an unemptying spring, a river of healings and gifts of salvation.

 

Theotokion.

As the true Mother of Christ, the Creator of all creation, I entreat you fervently, O All-Spotless Lady, to grant me forgiveness of my many offenses, and to deliver me from dangers.

 

Deliver us from dangers and afflictions, O Tryphon, through your intercessions to Christ, O Unmercenary, for those who praise you with fervor and faith.

 

Spotless One, who by a word did bring to us the Word eternal...

 

Then, the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Kontakion in the Second Tone.

O Unmercenary, as one partaking of godly nourishment in the Heavens, through your ceaseless intercessions to God, grant deliverance from every passion of the souls of your entreaters, for you are an invincible Champion, O ever-memorable Tryphon.

 

Then, the Prokeimenon in Tone Four.

God is wondrous among His Saints, the God of Israel, He will give strength and support to His people, Blessed is God. (2)

Verse: In Churches, bless God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.

God is wondrous among His Saints, the God of Israel, He will give strength and support to His people, Blessed is God.

  

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

The Gospel according to St. Luke (10:19-21).

Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.  Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Through the intercessions of the Unmercenary, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God...
Then the Prosomoion in the Plagal of the Second Tone. No one is turned away from you.
No one is turned away from your protection and is sent away without help against the passions and dangers, O Tryphon, Martyr of the Lord, but one asks for the grace of healings, and he receives salvation and healing through your prayers to God.

Then, the Priest says the "Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance...

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

Then, the Canon resumes. Ode VII. Once from out of Judea.

You rejoice, dancing together with the choirs of the Martyrs as one bearing a crown, O Tryphon, and they honor you, and hymn you in faith, as an Unmercenary who grants healing of afflictions and passions through your prayers.

The Master of all and God has placed a heavenly crown upon your head, and you have come to ever dwell in His heavenly mansions. Make us worthy of them, O Saint Tryphon, as you entreat for us.

Dry the streams of my tears, O Unmercenary Tryphon, for my heart is granted a spring welling forth healings from your Icon. Fill me with compunction, that I might be cleansed from the filth of the passions, O Thrice-blessed one.

Theotokion.

You bore the God before the ages in your sacred arms, O All-Spotless one. Do not cease to entreat Him that your servants be granted deliverance from fire, earthquake, famine, and incurable afflictions.

Ode VIII. The King of Heaven.

As one tempted by a multitude of illnesses, O Blessed one, I hasten to you, asking for salvation, for you, O Tryphon, are a deliverance of those ailing.

As one nourished and rejoicing with the Angels in the heavenly mansions, intercede with the Lord on behalf of those who hymn you.

O Saint Tryphon, become a physician of the illnesses of your entreater, and of burdensome passions, and cut off their frenzy, through your divine intercessions.

Theotokion.

Grant my a stream of tears, O Lady, that I might cleanse the filth of the passions from my soul, and guide me on the ways of salvation.

Ode IX. Saved through you, O Theotokos.

Entreat for us to the God of all, for nourishment with heavenly food, O glorious Tryphon, that we might be granted forgiveness of offenses.

Shining from the light of the first Light [Christ], O Tryphon, and having been set aflame with His divine radiance, through your intercessions, make us to partake of Him as well.

As one partaking of godly nourishment and joy together with the Angels, intercede with the Creator, O Blessed one, on behalf of your servants.

Theotokion.

Grant deliverance, O Theotokos, for those ailing and from every danger, for your entreators, for they ever take refuge, praying to you. 

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

 

Then, "It is truly right to call you blessed...", followed by the Megalynaria.

The wondrous Martyr of the Lord, and most-ready helper from Lampsakos, a protector and deliverer for those who call upon him, let us all honor the divine Tryphon.

Come, O faithful, let us venerate the holy Icon of the divine Tryphon, who drives away from us the stench of the passions, and grants healing and deliverance to all.

All the ranks of Angels...

Then, the Trisagion, followed by the Troparion in the First Tone. A Heavenly Place.

You manfully endured the pains of tortures, and truly inherited the life without pain, O ever-memorable Tryphon, the foundation of Champions. Therefore, today, the Church of Christ celebrates your all-holy memory, and rejoices in a godly manner.

Then the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Dismissal, after which the people venerate the Icon while the hymn is chanted:

Prosomoion in the Second Tone. When from the Tree.

You received from God, O Tryphon, the grace to grant healings for those who have taken refuge in your protection in faith, and who hasten to you, amidst many incurable afflictions, healing the passions through the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, O wise one. Therefore, we also entreat you: pray to the Lord of all to deliver those who honor you from dangers.

Lady do you receive...

My numerous hopes are placed...

Through the prayers...
(source)
   

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  
Additional Prayer to St. Tryphon
O holy martyr of Christ Tryphon, swift helper of all that seek refuge in thee, and quick to intercede for those that pray before thy holy image! Hearken now and at every hour unto the prayer of us thine unworthy servants, who venerate thy holy memory (in this all-holy temple erected to the praise of thy name, and in every place).  For Thou, O Saint of Christ, thyself hast promised before thy departure from this corrupt life, to pray to the Lord for us, and hast asked of Him this gift: if anyone in their any need or sorrow shall begin to invoke thy holy name, they shall be delivered from every instigation of the evil one. And as thou didst once heal the ruler's daughter in Rome, who was tormented by the devil, so also preserve us from his cruel snares all the days of our life, moreover be thou our intercessor in the dread day of our last breath, when the dark visions of wicked spirits begin to surround and terrify us: be then our helper and swift banisher of evil spirits, and our guide to the Kingdom of Heaven, where thou now standest with the choirs of Saints before the Throne of God;
pray the Lord, that He grant us also to be partakers of everlasting joy and gladness, that we may be found worthy together with thee to glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, for all ages. Amen.
(source)
  
Also see a previous post for the famed Prayers of St. Tryphon said at the Holy Water Blessing in prayer for health and deliverance of Gardens and Farms from pests.
  

St. Tryphon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  

   Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"You received from God the grace of healings..."

Icon of the Holy Unmercenaries Sts. Kosmas, Damian and Panteleimon (source)

  
You received from God the grace of healings, and freely heal the passions of our souls and bodies, O universal Unmercenaries. Therefore, through you, Christ grants to His faithful ones good health, showing you to be unerring lights for the whole world. Entreat Him that our souls may be saved.
-Idiomelon of the Praises in the First Tone, by Anatolios
  
(source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Service of the Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries

The Synaxis of the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries (source)

  
Note: This is an in-progress translation of a liturgical service in praise of the Holy Wonderworking and Unmercenary Physicians. This is a translation of a Greek text, which places their feast on October 17th (that of Sts. Cosmas and Damian from Arabia, along with their brothers and fellow unmercenary martyrs Sts. Leontios, Evtropios and Anthimos). The traditional 20-numbered band of Holy Unmercenaries in the Greek tradition of course is by no means exclusive. There are of course female Holy Unmercenaries (Sts. Philonilla, Zenaida, Hermione, and even St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria in some traditions. There are other Saints not necessarily known as physicians in their lifetimes, but are known for many wondrous cures and therefore are sometimes numbered with the Unmercenaries (such as Sts. Vlasios, Spyriodon, Artemios, etc.) Finally, there have been later additions to the holy band of Unmercenaries through the passage of time, most notably St. Luke the Surgeon of Simferopol, who reposed in the 20th century. As a result, let this not serve as a fixed or exclusive service, but one in prayer to our Lord to heal our many physical, psychological and spiritual afflictions with His mighty arm, through the intercessions of His healing Saints, who left behind every earthly repose, "placing all their hope in heaven" (from the Idiomelon to the Holy Unmercenaries), while giving their lives in love for their fellow men.

Also note, a vespers text exists from the Russian tradition which places this feast on the first Sunday of November (likely in proximity to the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian of Asia Minor who celebrate November 1st). As such, I have begun by translating the Matins text and may proceed to the Vespers and the Matins Canon at some point. Finally, note that the translation is not set to the Byzantine meter of the Prosomoia. May the Saints pray for us all and heal our world!

Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries (source)

  

Matins

 

After the First Stichologia, the Kathisma in the First Tone. Your tomb, O Savior.

Let us celebrate, O godly-minded ones, the divine and joyous memory of all the sacred Unmercenaries, who are our patrons, and let us praise them out of duty, for they have become the common protectors and saviors of all those in dangers, who speedily deliver all those who hasten to them in faith.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O unwedded and Pure One, Theotokos Maria, the only protection and covering for the faithful in dangers and trials and terrible circumstances, deliver all of those who place their hope in you, having you, O Lady, as a savior for our souls through your divine intercessions.

After the Second Stichologia, the Kathisma in the Third Tone. The beauty.

Unemptying wealth of sympathy and goodness is poured out upon us by the divine Unmercenaries, and no mind of mortals, nor mellifluent tongue can tell of the surpassing ocean and the true streams of their many wonders. Therefore we cry out to them: Rejoice, O eternal springs.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

At the beauty of your virginity, and the resplendency of your chastity, Gabriel stood amazed and cried to you, O Theotokos: What are the appropriate words of praise to present to you? What name shall I call you by? At a loss and perplexed am I. And so as I was ordered I cry to you: rejoice, O you Who are full of grace!
  

Panagia Glykophylousa, surrounded by a multitude of the Holy Unmercenaries, Physicians and Healers of Christ (source)

  

After the Polyeleos, the Katisma in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. The wisdom.

Paradoxically you received from Christ the gifts of heavenly wonders, and you heal all of our passions freely, for within you has shown forth the grace of the Spirit, working the power of divine healings. Therefore, you have inherited incorruptible good things through your unmercenary minds, O God-bearing Unmercenaries. Intercede with Christ God, that forgiveness of offenses be granted to those who celebrate you holy memory with fervor.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Let us all praise the Queen and Mother of the Creator of all, and let us magnify her with our voices and cry out to her in hymns: O Virgin and All-hymned cause of joy, save those who honor you, and protect all those in temptations of all kinds and illnesses and trials through your intercessions, for, as the Mother of God, you have boldness. Entreat that healing of afflictions be granted to those who cry out to you. Intercede to your Son and God that your servants might be granted forgiveness.

Then the Hymns of Ascents in the Fourth Tone, followed by the Prokeimenon:

To His Saints who are in His earth, the Lord has been shown wondrous.
Verse: God is wondrous in His Saints.

 

Matins Gospel of the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Sts. Cosmas and Damian (November 1st)

 

Psalm 50.

 

Glory.

Through the intercessions of the Unmercenaries, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Both now.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Then the Idiomelon in the Second Tone.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God...
The choir of the Saints rejoices unto the ages, for their have inherited the Kingdom of the heavens, while the earth that has received their Holy Relics breathes forth fragrance, for they became the servants of Christ, and have come to dwell in eternal life.

Then the Priest says the, "O God, save Your people..." Followed by the Canons to the Theotokos and the Holy Unmercenaries (to be translated at a later time).
  

Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries (Source)

  

Kontakion in the Second Tone.

You have received the grace of remedies, spread strength over those in need, glorious, wonderworking Physicians; but by your visitation, cast down the insolence of enemies, healing the world by wonders.
 

The Oikos.

The word of the wise Physicians surpasses all understanding and wisdom; for having received grace from the Most High, they invisibly bestow strength on all; therefore on me too they have bestowed the grace of narration, to sing their praise as God-bearing, well-pleasing to God and healers, who grant multitudes of cures; for they rescue all from pains, healing the world by wonders.

  

Synaxarion
On this day (October 17th) we honor the Synaxis of all the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries (twenty in number).

Verses
I ever honor together the Unmercenaries,
Being gathered here in their church.
The twenty-numbered band of the Unmercenaries,
O choir, save those you entreat you.
Twenty, therefore, Unmercenaries, I ever hymn.
  
Then, the Katavasies of the Theotokos, followed by the 9th Ode.

  

Exaposteilarion in the Third Tone. In the Temple in Spirit.

Receiving the grace of healing from God, blessed Unmercenaries, you cure diseases and heal all those who faithfully have recourse to your divine shrine, and therefore with one voice, we worthily call your holy memory blessed.

 

Another for the Saints in the Fourth Tone. The Disciples gathered.

Together with Saints Kosmas, let us hymn Sampson, Panteleimon, the Damians, Ermolaos, Cyrus and John, Thalelleos, Aniketos, Tryphon, Diomedes, Leontios, Eutropion, Anthimos, with Mokios, Julian, and let us praises the Twenty and celebrate their joyous memory in a godly manner.

 

Theotokion in the same tone.

Let us hymn with a godly mind the Mountain of God, the Palace, and Lamp-stand, and Container, and Ark, and Altar, the Rod and fiery divine Throne and Gate, the Temple and Bridal Chamber, the Pure Virgin, from whom God became incarnate without change and in a manner surpassing nature, and deified our fallen nature, uniting it with the ineffable.

 

Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries (source)

  

Then, the Praises, followed by the Prosomoia in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

What shall we call you?

What shall we call you, O Unmercenaries? Heaven, for you related the glory of God. Liturgists, for you ceaselessly glorified Him. Bodiless, for you put off the flesh. Stars, for you shine upon the ends of the earth. For many are your names, and even more are your accomplishments. Intercede that our souls be saved.

 

What shall we call you, O glorious ones? Physicians, for you heal the afflictions of mortals. Rivers, for you fill the earth with wonders. Saviors, for you save everyone from dangers. Lights, for you enlighten many. Many are your graces, and even greater are your awesome deeds. Intercede that our souls be saved.

 

What shall we name you, O wise ones? The uprooters of passions or the sower of virtues, noetic paradises, or fruitful plans, sending forth gifts, and nourishment, and granting incorruption to all. Many are your graces, and unemptying are your healings. Intercede that our souls be saved.

 

Your temple has been shown to be a river as from Eden, which surrounds the world, pouring forth and watering healings for the faithful, granting grace freely to those who cry out to you with fervor and in faith: Many are your wonders, O all-blessed Unmercenaries. Intercede that our souls be saved.

 

Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

(Modeled after the Doxastikon: "The Choir of the Holy Fathers", from the Sundays of the Holy Fathers)

The multitude of the Holy Unmercenaries, who have been gathered from the ends of the earth to rejoice on this joyous day, and whom we hymn harmoniously today together at their sacred shrine, in which they stand invisibly, together with Christ Who crowned their sacred heads, and grants to them the unending grace of wonders. To them let us cry out melodiously: O divine assembly, hoplites inspired by God, in the Lord's army, ever-shining stars of the noetic firmament, the unassailable towers of mystical Sion, the fragrant flowers of Paradise, the fervent physicians of the sick, the boast of the Martyrs, the pride of the Righteous, ceaselessly intercede on behalf of our souls.

 

Both now. Theotokion.

O Lady, do you receive from your servants their entreates, and deliver us from every danger and trial.

 

Then the Great Doxology, followed by the Apolytikion of the Saints in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

O Holy Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, visit our infirmities. Freely you have received, freely give to us.

 

The Epistle and Gospel from the feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Kosmas and Damian (see November 1st).

 

Megalynarion for the Holy Unmercenaries.

You received the gift from God of healing the afflictions of the faithful, and speedily delivering from the gravest passions those who call upon you, O Unmercenaries.

  

The Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries (Source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes on St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  
Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes on St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr: He was cast out due to jealousy
"For he knew that for envy they had delivered him" (Matthew 27:18)

My beloved, we are honoring the holy memory of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. Our topic will be the question: What was the reason that St. Panteleimon was persecuted? To this we will give a short response.

St. Panteleimon lived and struggled during the era of persecutions, when the Roman Emperor was Diocletian. He was born in Nicomedia of Asia Minor. His father was an idolater, but his mother was from the women who planted deeply into the heart of their children their faith in Christ. Therefore, she taught St. Panteleimon the truths of the faith.

He was well-sown. He had a call towards learning. He studied medicine near noted scientists. He became an exemplary physician. There were many physicians then, like there are today. However, it is rare today to find a Christian physician. The majority are faithless, materialists. And these have no worth; may God protect you from falling into their hands.

St. Panteleimon differed from them. In what way did he differ? He differed in three ways.

First, regarding money. They were lovers of money. They charged their patients a lot and became rich. St. Panteleimon was unique, a man of ideology. He used science as a mission. He was seen at night visiting huts [of the poor and sick] like an angel. While the others went only to the houses of the great ones, he went to the houses of the poor and served the sick.

And a second way in which he differed from the others. As a famous Greek university professor once said, physicians frequently study medicine like veterinary medicine, and many doctors act like veterinarians. They don't see anything else beyond veins, bones, flesh, ribs, hearts and lungs. Man of course is these, but behind this is something invisible. There is a "little motor", which moves the biological body, and there is the existence of man. And the doctor, when he doesn't see this "little motor", is blind, and is not in the position to perform his work. This "little motor" is the spiritual factor, the soul of man. A multitude of experiments and observations have shown that the soul with the passions, feelings, conscience and impulse greatly impacts the body. There is an interconnectedness between body and soul. This is what our Church chants during the 15-days of August, and which is scientifically correct: "From the great multitude of my sins, ill am I in body, ill am I also in soul..." (from the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos). And both are sick but the root of evil is sin. Therefore, St. Panteleimon made the correct diagnosis. He saw that, when the soul is freed from guilt, the body is given life, and man breathes deeply. Many illnesses (apoplexies, heart attacks, cancer) have as their cause the spiritual world. Some bitterness from remorse or from slander or from divisiveness or from injustice or anxiety waters the body with poison.
  

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  
So he differed first for not taking money, secondly because he saw man as a psychosomatic whole, and thirdly, for besides the other medicines which the other physicians had, St. Panteleimon had a rare and unique medicine, and this was the faith. He believed deeply. Because of this, together with medicines from herbs from the earth that he gathered, he knelt next to the pillow of the sick, praying, and--let the faithless disbelieve it, we believe it--the sick man was healed. And to this day, we see the sign of the Cross in clinics, hospitals and healing centers. How truly awesome a thing is the power of faith, a medicine of healing for bodily and spiritual illnesses.

This was St. Panteleimon. And because of this, his healing center was marked every day with a line of sick people, while they did not go to the other physicians of Nicomedia anymore. This being passed over, however, enflamed the hearts of his colleagues with the yellow lamp of jealousy. They were jealous of him, they hated him. They saw that, as long as he was a physician in Nicomedia, they would have to change careers because everyone was hastening to St. Panteleimon. And the sick, who themselves were loosing hope, found their healing near him. Behold therefore the cause of jealousy. Because of this they cast him out. They hated him from the beginning. With what slander did they do so? As an unmercenary? As one taking advantage of people? As an adulterer? As a fornicator? As a dangerous person? As a criminal? None of these things. If they condemned him with these during that decadent regime, it wouldn't work. They condemned him with a condemnation that took hold. Isn't that how it is, that the slanders of the faithful change in every age? Sometimes they use slander A, other times B, other times C. I will not dwell on this, I will just mention that, from the time...with various slanders, with foolish things the jealous attack the worthy men to discredit them--though at the heart of the matter, they don't believe the slanders--and people are no longer judged according to proper and steadfast criteria (ethically), but according to other criteria (politics).

They condemned him therefore with the condemnation of that era that was so devastating: that he was a Christian. And this condemnation led man to dash him to pieces. He was seized, led before rulers, confessed his faith with boldness, suffered all kinds of martyrdom, and thus, his holy soul flew to the heavens like a wholly-white dove to dwell in the heavenly mansions, in order to rejoice together with the Holy Angels and Archangels.

Behold, my beloved, the cause of the persecution and the martyrdom of St. Panteleimon: jealousy.

O jealousy, a great and abyss of a passion! It is a worm and viper that consumes the bowels of he who is jealous, but is also the grave of great men. Terrible are its consequences. If we open the holy stories, we will see that, from the beginning, this was the destruction of the human race. "Out of the jealousy of the devil", says Solomon, "death entered into the world" (Wisdom of Solomon 2:24). Satan was jealous of the magnificence of man, and was filled with wrath against him. Because of this was the first blood spilled upon the earth, due to jealousy. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel and he murdered him "in the field" (Genesis 4:8). From jealousy Esau persecuted Jacob (ibid 27:41), the eleven children of Jacob persecuted Joseph the All-comely (ibid 37), King Saul persecuted David (I Kings 19:10), and a long line of holy men were snuffed out.

And we have examples from our own national history. Great men were snuffed out like the righteous Aristides in antiquity, Socrates who drank the poison, and in later years, Harilaos Trikoubes, etc.

But why do we need other examples? Cast your eye on the Praetorium and to Golgotha. "Which of these two do you wish that I release?" asked Pilate, "Barabbas or Jesus?" Everyone cried out together: "Barabbas". And the Evangelist notes psychologically: "This he did", Pilate, in other words, "for they delivered Him up out of envy." (Matthew 27:18) The envy of the Scribes and Pharisees, which were like fireflies quenched before the great sun that is Christ, led our Lord to Golgotha. Therefore, my brethren, it is a general rule. If there ever appears some person, some worthy personality, who would perform their duty, he will elicit envy and rouse up persecution. Meaningless people do not bother, those who offer help and give their lives to those around them, they are the ones persecuted. St. Paul said this: "All those who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (II Timothy 3:12). All those who believe in Christ will be persecuted, along with all those seek to live according to His commandments. It is their fate. All those living, either through his word or through his example, bring about an earthquake. However, this is an earthquake of salvation. Blessed are the communities who have such men, either in science or in the military or in politics or in the holy clergy, for they become the agents of the proper way.

Pray, my brethren, that the sickness of envy might be healed, that it might abandon you. And may our Lord, through the intercessions of St. Panteleimon, transform all our hearts, and may we go forth with virtue and love, to the glory of God. Amen.

+Bishop Avgoustinos

(Homily of Metropolitan of Florina Avgoustinos Kantiotes, delivered in the Holy Church of St. Panteleimon, Florina, 7/27/1976) (source)

  

St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Unmercenary (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

"You trampled upon the basest pleasures..."

Sts. Cyrus and John the Unmercenaries (source)

  
You trampled upon the basest pleasures, and clearly proceeded towards the divine height of martyrdom through grace, O Cyrus and John, lights for the whole world. Therefore, we entreat you that we be delivered from the darkness of sin and from afflictions, as you pray to the God of all.
-Kathisma from the Matins for the feast of Sts. Cyrus and John the Unmercenaries

(source)
  

St. Cyrus the Unmercenary (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!