Christians all over the world celebrate the Feast of the Holy and Glorious Great Martyr Demetrius, the myrrh-gusher and patron saint the city of Thessaloniki. His life was marked by the courage to confess faith in Christ, even in the face of persecution and death.
Saint Demetrius lived during the time of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian Galerius, from 284 to 311. He was the son of a governor of Thessaloniki and was raised in the Christian faith, secretly, because of the persecutions against Christians. After the death of his parents, the young Demetrius was appointed by Emperor Maximian as governor of the city of Thessalonica, where he continued to preach the Christian faith.
However, when the emperor learned that Demetrius was a Christian, he became angry and ordered that he should be imprisoned. While in prison, Demetrius helped a young Christian named Nestor confront a feared pagan fighter, Lie, who was killing many of the Christians. With Demetrius' blessing and prayers, Nestor managed to defeat Lie in battle, and this act of courage led to the murder of Saint Demetrius, who was pierced with spears in prison. He died in the year 306.
Drops of myrrh began to flow from his tomb, and his relics became famous for the miracles and healings they performed. Today the relics of St. Demetrius are kept in his church in Thessaloniki, Greece, and continue to bring help to those who pray in faith.
In his teachings, St. Demetrius urges us to love and faith:
"Do not let your heart be troubled – believe in God!"
"This his is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another."
