This glorious and wonderworking saint was born in
Thessalonica of noble and devout parents. Implored of God by childless parents,
Demetrius was their only son, and so was raised and educated with great care.
Demetrius's father was a commander in Thessalonica.
When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed
Demetrius as commander in his place. As he appointed him, Maximian, an opponent
of Christ, particularly recommended that he persecute and exterminate the
Christians in Thessalonica. Demetrius not only disobeyed the emperor but openly
confessed and preached the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Thessalonica. When
the emperor heard of this he became furious with Demetrius. Then, when he was
returning from battle against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped at Thessalonica
to investigate the matter.
The emperor summoned Demetrius and questioned him
about his faith. Demetrius openly acknowledged his Christian Faith to the
emperor and also denounced the emperor's idolatry. Maximian cast Demetrius into
prison. Knowing what was awaiting him, Demetrius 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 Demetrius.
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 of the sick. 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. Demetrius 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 translate the relics
of the saint from Thessalonica to Constantinople, flaming sparks sprang from
the tomb and a voice was heard: "Stop, and do not touch!" And thus,
the relics of St. Demetrius have remained for all time in Thessalonica.
As the protector of Thessalonica, St. Demetrius has
appeared many times, and on many occasions has saved Thessalonica from great
calamity. His miracles are without number. The Russians considered St.
Demetrius to be the protector of Siberia, which was conquered and annexed to
Russia on October 26, 1581.
Miracle One of St. Demetrius
of Thessalonica
Demetrius was a commander of Thessalonica during his
life and remained so after his repose. People have felt his presence in
Thessalonica, especially in times of great calamities. He protects the city,
wards off misfortunes, repels invaders, and helps all who invoke his name.
Here is a wonderful example of his unusual aid to
people in need.
Once, the barbarians attacked Thessalonica and were
unable to overtake it. Infuriated at this, they pillaged the countryside and
bound and carried off two beautiful maidens whom they gave as a gift to their
prince. These maidens knew how to embroider well. When the prince saw their
handiwork, he said to them: "I hear that there is a great god in your
land, Demetrius, and that he works great miracles. Embroider his face on this
linen." The maidens told him that St. Demetrius was not a god but rather
God's servant and the helper of Christians. At first, they refused to embroider
the face of the saint, but when the prince threatened them with death, they
carried out the command and completed the task by St. Demetrius's Day. On the
eve of the feast, they looked at their embroidery and wept sorrowfully, as they
had to spend the feast day in slavery and had to give that embroidered image of
their beloved saint to an impious barbarian. Both maidens prayed to St. Demetrius
to forgive them. Then St. Demetrius appeared to them and took them both away,
as an angel had once taken the Prophet Habakkuk. He brought them to
Thessalonica and set them in his church. A solemn all-night vigil was being
celebrated, and many people were there. When they learned of the miraculous
rescue of these Christian maidens, all glorified God and St. Demetrius, His
great servant and commander.
Miracle Two of St. Demetrius
of Thessalonica
That the saints of God live, clothed in great glory
and might in the heavens, Orthodox Christians know, not by their own reasoning,
but by the true help and visitations of the saints. At times the saints appear
so that men may see and hear them; at times, only to be either seen or heard;
at times, though unseen and unheard, they influence our thoughts, our
dispositions and our actions.
Among the many miracles of St. Demetrius in
Thessalonica the following is recorded:
A young man named Onesiphorus was appointed to the
service of sacristan in the Church of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica. His
primary task was to keep an account of the candles and lampadas. This young man
began to steal candles, take them home, and then resell them. St. Demetrius
appeared to him and said: "Brother Onesiphorus, your action is not pleasing
to me, for you are stealing candles. By this, you bring harm to others and
especially to yourself. Cease doing this and repent!" Onesiphorus was
frightened and ashamed and, for a time, stopped stealing candles. But he
eventually forgot himself, and again began to steal candles. One morning, a
distinguished man brought some large candles to the tomb of the saint, lit
them, prayed and left. Onesiphorus approached the candles and stretched forth
his hand with the intention of taking them, but at that moment a voice like
thunder roared: "Are you doing that again?!" As though struck by
lightning, Onesiphorus fell to the ground, unconscious. When someone came into
the church he found him and lifted him up off the floor; he gradually came to
himself and related all that had happened. Everyone was astonished, and
glorified God.
Source : http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/74963.htm
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