October 26 - Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher.

October 26 - Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher.

Today, we commemorate the Great-Martyr and Myrrh-Gusher Saint Demetrios, the patron Saint of Thessaloniki. Along with Saint George, he is one of the most revered military saints of the Church. St Demetrios was born in 270 to devout parents who were Christians in secret, and his father was a military commander in Thessaloniki. When his father died, the pagan Emperor Galerius Maximian appointed Demetrios to take his place.

As commander, Demetrios was tasked with defending the city from barbarians, and eradicating Christianity. But instead of persecuting Christians as ordered, Demetrios used his position of authority to instruct the inhabitants of the city in the Christian Faith, and he converted many pagans by his eloquence and wisdom. After a military victory against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped in Thessaloniki to celebrate with the locals and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Envious pagans denounced Demetrios, and after he confessed his faith before the emperor, he was thrown into prison.

As part of the festivities, Maximian had arranged for gladiatorial combat to take place in the city’s amphitheater. The emperor’s most fierce fighter was a man of gigantic stature and strength named Lyaios, who was undefeated in combat. A young Christian named Nestor decided to confront the giant Lyaios, to prove that true strength is with those who believe in Christ. Before this David vs Goliath battle, Nestor went to the cell of Demetrios asking for his prayers. In the battle, the giant Lyaios charged Nestor, but the young boy slipped to the side, and fatally stabbed him in the heart.

The emperor was enraged at having been shown up by the young Christian, and ordered his beheading. Hearing St Nestor call upon the God of Demetrios before his martyrdom, Maximian ordered his soldiers go to the cell of St Demetrios and thrust their lances into his chest. Thus, St Demetrios delivered his soul in 306. At the church of St Demetrios in Thessaloniki, the site of his martyrdom, fragrant myrrh has been known to miraculously flow forth from his reliquary, and thus he is called “the Myrrh-Gusher.”

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