Saint Demitrios

St. Demetrios, the patron saint of Thessalonica, was born around 280 A.D. Being of high social standing, he was, although quite young, granted corresponding high military and political positions. When not engaged in these duties, he would often teach Christianity to the young people of Thessalonica. During the time of the persecution of Christians by Emperor Docletian in the early fourth century, St. Demetrios was arrested and imprisoned by Galerius, the eastern co-regent. When games were being held in Galerius' honor in Thessalonica, St. Demetrios commissioned one of his students, Nestor, to accept the challenge of Galerius' personal gladiator, Lyaeus. Through the prayers of the Saint, Nestor quickly dispatched the huge gladiator, thus bringing down the wrath of Galerius upon St. Demetrios. St. Demetrios was ordered to be killed by the sword as was Nestor a few days later. In the icon it is St. Demetrios who is depicted as the one defeating Lyaeus.

Photo by John Washinsky Text by the Ken Mitchel Family