Feast Day: August 17th
The Life of Saint Demetrios: the following words heard from the tortured lips of Saint Demetrios: “Lord, have mercy on Your servant. Queen of Heaven Pray for us.”…
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Prayers
Kontakion: You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Demetrios; extinguishing the allure of false gods, you enlighten the faithful, always interceding for us all.
Saint Demetrios was a Monk and travelled around the villages to preach Jesus Christ and to strengthen the Christians during persecution.
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The conversation between Ali Pasha and Saint Demetrios:
Ali Pasha: “You announced the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and consequently the fall of our leader [the Sultan].”
Saint Demetrios: “My God reigns Eternally and for Eternity and I respect the teaching He gave us.”
Ali Pasha: “What do you have on your chest?”
Saint Demetrios: “The venerable Icon of His Mother.”
Ali Pasha: “I want to see it.”
Saint Demetrios: “It cannot be dishonored. Order one of my arms cut off and then I will present it to you.”
Ali Pasha: “Is this the way you stir up trouble? Are we therefore desecrators? I recognize in your words the leader of the Bishops who are inviting the Russians to subjugate us. Name your fellow conspirators.”
Saint Demetrios: “My fellow conspirators are my conscience and my duty, which oblige me to comfort the Orthodox Christians and to help them be obedient to your laws.”
Ali Pasha: “You mean to your laws.”
Saint Demetrios: “This name glorifies me.”
Ali Pasha: “Do you carry the Icon of the Virgin which is said to carry great charms?”
Saint Demetrios: “Say Miracles. The Mother of Our Saviour is our intercessor before her Eternal Son and God. The Theotokos performs her Miracles daily among us and we call upon her daily.”
Ali Pasha: “Let us see if she will protect you. Executioners, torture him.”
The executioners immediately set upon Saint Demetrios, spit on his face, forcibly removed the Icon from his hands, and placed bamboo sticks under his finger and toe nails. With nails they pierced his arms and legs. During all this Pouqueville records the following words heard from the tortured lips of Saint Demetrios: “Lord, have mercy on Your servant. Queen of Heaven Pray for us.”
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After ten days of being enclosed by this wall, Saint Demetrios gave up his Spirit to the Lord. His last words were those of Saint Babylas of Antioch:
“Soul, return to your rest, for the Lord will bless you.”
An Icon
