Ro-di-te-li, secret chri-sti-ane, baptism of Demetrius and na-sta-vi-li in the faith. His father, the Roman pro-consul, died when Dimitri reached his final age. Im-pe-ra-tor Mak-si-mi-an Ga-le-riy, who ascended the throne in 305, appointed Di-mit-riy to the place of -tsa power and in the Fes-sa-lo-niy-region. Di-mitriy’s main duty was to defend his region from external enemies, but he-per-ra-tor demanded from him also, so that he would consume Christianity. Dimitriy, instead of this, began to use pagan customs, and to convert pagans to the Christian faith.
Of course, they soon realized that pro-consul Di-mit-riy was a hri-sti-a-nin. Returning from the march against the sar-ma-tov (tribes who lived near the Black Sea steppes), Max-si -mi-an stayed in So-lu-ni. Getting ready to die, Dimitri distributed his property to the poor, and he devoted himself to prayer and fasting. Im-pe-ra-tor turned on the pro-kon-su-la in the dark and began to entertain himself and the life of So-lu-ni-gla-di- a-tor-ski-mi sra-zhe-ni-ya-mi in the circus. Khristi-an found-ki-va-li and ta-shi-li in the arena. Well-known among the gla-di-a-to-ditch, the daring Liy easily defeated the meek Christians in the battle and in the face of the li-co-va -the roaring crowds threw them onto the spears again and again.
The young man Nestor, from Christianity, went to Di-mit-riy in the dark, and Di-mit-riy blessed him to unite-no-bor- relationship with Lee. Strengthened by God, Nestor defeated the gla-di-a-to-ra and threw him on the spear again and again. Nesto should have been called like a po-be-di-te-la, but instead of this, he was called like a chri-sti-a-ni-na.
At the order of im-per-ra-to-ra, the tem-nich-naya guard pierced Di-mit-riya with ko-drinks in 306. The body has led Di-mit-riya to be eaten by animals, but secretly to the nanny -whether his land. Servant Di-mit-riy Lupp took the bloody robe and the man's ring and began to heal the sick with them. It’s the same thing. In the reign of the im-per-ra-to-ra Kon-stan-ti-na Ve-li-ko-go (324-337) over the grave ve-li-ko-mu- Why did Demetrius erect a temple, and a hundred years later were his imperishable relics recovered? At the grave of Di-mit-riya, there were miracles and researches. In the reign of the im-per-ra-to-ra are the Mav-ri-kiya Avars who lived on Do-nu, the wasp-di-li city of So-lun. Saint Demetrius appeared on the city wall, and the 100,000-strong army of waiting people fled. Another time, the saint saved the city from famine. The life of St. Demetrius says that he freed captives from the yoke of the infidels and helped them reach the lu-ni.
Since the 7th century, under the cancer of St. Demetrius, the blessed and miraculously created world has been used, about which pi-sa-li sovre-men-ni-ki. In the 14th century, Dimitriy Chrizolog wrote about him: the world “by its nature is not water, but it is thicker than it and not like it.” not like any of the substances known to us... It is more surprising than all the benefits, not only artificial, but also the nature created by God.” For this reason, Di-mit-riya was named after Mi-ro-to-chi-vym.
See also: "" in the text of St. Di-mit-ria of Ro-stov.
Prayers
Troparion to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
Great will you find in troubles/ the champion of the universe, O passion-bearer,/ the conquering tongues./ Just as you brought down Lieva’s pride,/ and you boldly created Nestor for the feat,/ so , Saint Demetrius, / pray to Christ God // to grant us great mercy.
Translation: The universe has found a great defender in troubles, a conqueror of the pagans, in you. And just as you overthrew the pride of Leah, inspiring Nestor to fight, so, Saint Demetrius, pray to Christ God that He will grant us great mercy.
Kontakion to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
With your streams of blood, Demetrius, / God stained the Church, / giving you an invincible fortress, / and keeping your city unharmed // for this is your affirmation.
Translation: With the streams of your blood, Demetrius, God stained the Church, giving you invincible strength and keeping your city unharmed, for you are its affirmation.
Glorification of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
We magnify you, passion-bearing Saint Demetrius, and honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.
Prayer to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius, quick helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and to save us from the all-destructive plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to protect this city, this monastery and every Christian country. Seek from the Tsar of those reigning for victory and victory over the enemies of the Orthodox Christians, the entire Orthodox state, peace, silence, firmness in faith and advancement in piety; For us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that our blessed Lord Christ God, who works here, may be honored through your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven new for His eternal glorification with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Canons and Akathists
Canon 1 to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
Song 1
Irmos: Through the sea of the dark abyss, ancient Israel walked with damp feet, and with the cross-shaped hands of Moses defeated the power of Amalek in the desert.
We are crowned with divine torment, we rejoice in the presence of God, we shine with brilliance from the tedious and we fulfill enlightenment, most wonderful martyr.
As a being of the Truth, a witness, and even having labored to the point of blood, blessedly, patiently; Having shown firm resistance to the tormentor, the Lord accepts you.
You have brought down the recipient of malice to the earth, Demetrius, having killed him with your martyr's copy, with Divine goodness, more than the power of the mind, we strengthen for this, blessed one.
Theotokos: Motherless, as God is first, who is for us Fatherless from You, the All-Singing Mother of God, the flesh is received by unity, more than words and reason.
Song 3
Irmos: Your Church rejoices in You, Christ, calling: You are my strength, Lord, and refuge, and confirmation.
Reckon the commandment from you to the tormentors; You have preceded the Word of God more than all others, most passion-bearing.
You were a priest of the light of torment in the tabernacle, shining with the Divine Light, the passion-bearing martyr Demetrius.
You are a holy and wondrous source of healing, having acquired your city and treasure without stealing, you have been enriched with all joy.
Theotokos: Healing the image of the decayed earthly One, the Most Pure One will clothe You with this, remaining as a Lover of Mankind.
Sedalen, voice 4.
Song 4
Irmos: You are exalted, having seen the Church on the Cross, the Righteous Sun, standing in its rank, worthy of crying: glory to Your power, Lord.
Having conquered the lie of wickedness, having seen the Most High God's Word, crowning you with glory, Demetrius, singing: glory to your power, Lord.
Having established victory over flattery, you accepted the victorious crown of righteousness, Demetrius, calling to your Creator: glory to your power, O Lord.
We direct our life-giving hand, to the quietest refuge you have reached, where, now rejoicing, you call to Demetrius: glory to your power, Lord.
Theotokos: As the Most Sacred of all creatures, You have been vouchsafed to be the One Mother of God; having given birth to Him, You have enlightened the world with the grace of the Knowledge of God.
Song 5
Irmos: You, Lord, you have come into the world as my light, Holy Light, turn those who praise You from the darkness of ignorance by faith.
Welcome the fire of Divine love into the hearts, you extinguished the fire of godless idolatry, glorious Demetrius.
Delivering us from troubles, appearing, Demetrius, covering those who praise you with faith and love with your prayers.
Those who diligently flock to your temple with faith, Demetrius, will soon be delivered from ailments and strangled passions.
Theotokos: The Word of God, Consubstantial with the Father, is Yours, O Mother of God, more than mind and words, the Son, Consubstantial with You.
Song 6
Irmos: I will devour Thee with a voice of praise, Lord, the Church cries out to Thee, having been cleansed of demonic blood, for the sake of mercy the Blood flowed from Thy side.
According to what has come together, we sing of your glorious and luminous memory, and full of miracles, and the gifts of the Holy and Honest, Most Blessed, Spirit.
Resolve my captive sins with your prayers, for the martyr’s boldness to the Lady is invincible, and be my refuge and protection, Demetrius.
Theotokos: You found Your purity in the midst of thorns, like the purest color and richest color, O Bogomati! Bridegroom, the Word dwells in Your womb.
Kontakion, tone 2
Ikos
Song 7
Irmos: In the cave of Abraham, the Persian youths, out of love for piety rather than being scorched by flames, cried out: Blessed art thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Adorned with Divine glory and grace, O passion-bearing martyr, you shine radiantly and enlighten those who call: blessed art thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Like scarlet, adorned with your blood, having instead of a scepter, gloriously, a cross; Thou art now reigning with Christ, martyr Demetrius, blessed art thou, the caller, in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Theotokos: Most Glorified, Enlightened, Mother of the Virgin, protect all who honor Thee, the All-True Mother of God; Blessed are You among women, O All-Immaculate Lady.
Song 8
Irmos: Daniel stretched out his hand, the gaping lions in the den, quenching the fiery power, girded with virtue, the zealous youths, crying out: bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Thou hast darkened all the enemy's wrath, gloriously, and, having been clothed with the inalienable power of Christ in the struggle, and having become a victor, the martyr Demetrius, thou cried out: bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Having shown the prosperity of the martyrs, the blessing of the martyrs, martyr, you have inherited; Having washed ourselves in the holy bath, even the second is not defiled by sinful pretexts, we pierce it with a spear, and call: bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Your miracles are many, more than the talents of the mind, which Christ gave you, shows everyone, gloriously, and the grace of healing, even more than words, your grace preaches to us, crying out: bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Theotokos: One in all generations, the Virgin Mother and the Pure Mother of God, let us hymn: She who is the Intercessor of our salvation, as the Deliverer of the world, gave birth to the Word, to whom we cry: bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Song 9
Irmos: The uncut stone from the uncut mountain, the cornerstone cut off to you, O Virgin, Christ, the aggregator of the dispersed nature; Thus, having fun, we magnify You, Mother of God.
Break the bonds of the sins of those who sing, more passion-bearing, set aside the excuses of passions, destroy the rumors of heresies and misfortunes, calm the storm with your prayers.
Direct your most sacred flock to the right paths of the Heavenly Kingdom, crowned martyr Demetrius, to saving pasture, to an eternal place.
May the crowns of glory and the Heavenly Kingdom be received by those who sing this, pray to thee, Martyr Demetrius, Life-Giver of the Lord and King of Powers.
Theotokos: As the root, the source and the guilt of incorruption, You, the Virgin, are all faithful, hoping, we honor with praises; You have exuded the Hypostasis of Immortality for us.
Svetilen
Canon 2 to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
Song 1
Irmos: Immerse the chariot of Pharaoh, sometimes work miracles, the rod of Moses, striking crosswise and dividing the sea, and save Israel the fugitive, the pedestrian, singing the song of God.
Myra is fragrant and honest, Demetrius, an open source, my heart has been washed from the passions of filth and, having shown me the fragrance of Christ through virtues through deeds, my mind has been filled with grace, your grace Divine songs.
The waters of a living river flow from the belly of the faithful, the Word of God speaks. The ever-flowing springs of your peace spill forth, and their streams rejoice the city of God, glorifying your martyr’s boldness.
The rod of ancient times of Moses, having struck a stone in the desert lands, opened the streams of multi-flowing rivers; your body, Demetrius, pierced by a spear, the source of peace, the new Israel, cooling.
Even though you have received retribution, Demetrius, your martyr’s ulcers, below the eye you see, below the ear you hear; Now there is a sea of peace, the rewards of purity are poured out by the end of the world, the passions of souls are cleansing.
Theotokos: Most impeccable friend, O All-Pure One, the Word of God found Thee, the false one dwelt in Thy: and having anointed acceptance from Thee with His Divinity, One passed from the two, and the exhausted myrrh was called Christ, for He is God and Man.
Song 3
Irmos: Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the One Lover of Mankind.
Born from Heaven from God, you were the heir of Divine blessings, the son of Christ, the heir of Christ, and you reigned with Him, for the image of this myrrh, Demetrius.
Having taken root like the tree of David, gloriously, with the flowing waters, you have given great fruit to the torment, and now the source of the world has appeared, passing through, the ends of the earth.
You drew the grace of Christ, from your ribs the blood flowed from water, you poured out your blood, for His sake you awakened; and now, like water, you pour out fragrant myrrh into the hearts, Demetrius.
Theotokos: In your sacred places, the vessels of your soul, Most Pure One, are full of the fragrance and peace of the Divine Spirit that has come upon you, for having given birth to God, you have betrayed the faithful from the stench of passions.
Sedalen, voice 4
As to the valor of the sufferer and the strong warrior of the All-Reigning Christ, we cry out in psalm: Rejoice, adornment and beauty of martyrs; Rejoice, bright star of the Church and wall and refuge of those who come running to you, glorious great martyr Demetrius, save you who sing from all foreign harm and all bitterness.
Song 4
Irmos: You are my strength, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bosom of the Father and visit our poverty. Together with the prophet Habakkuk I call Ti: Glory to Your power, Lover of mankind.
You rejected every kind of defilement by birth, the bath of generation, purity, you appeared, observing even to death. In the same way, Christ turns natural moisture into myrrh for you, Demetrius, just as He turned water into wine.
Like fire, the nature is taught to everything, saving the whole with strength; Thus, your myrrh, the more suffering, is drawn from everyone, but otherwise remains undiminished. Therefore, now we who are pious and worshipful, let us sing to God, Who gave you grace.
Whoever hears Your praise will create, O Christ the Word, seeing Your grace, which You bestowed upon Your sufferer; Demetrius, behold, the myrrh of the martyr, like a source, flows out, but the incense breathes and destroys evil and darkness.
For the fountain that rises from the earth has been poured before all the sowing can be rained upon; but you, martyr, have hidden yourself under the earth, and you have appeared as a source of fragrant peace, Demetrius; For many spears have opened the veins and now you will water the ends of the world.
Theotokos: We are the Bride of God, You and the Mother of God, Mother of God, for You, like a peace-inspired thorn, found the Word of God, blooming in the abundance of humble humanity, desiring Your kindness, the Flesh-bearer passed from You, the faithful blessed you.
Song 5
Irmos: Thou hast cast me away from Thy face, O unstoppable Light, and an alien darkness has covered me, the accursed one; but turn me and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.
You were a friend from Heaven who descended for mercy, like rain or drops dripping meekly, you intoxicated with mysterious gifts and now from the grave of the world the source of the well, Demetrius.
As a sufferer, like the law, having laid bare all worldly love, you, martyr, were fed with the oil of the graces of the Spirit. Having conquered the darkness of the beginning, you accepted the bribe of sharpening the sweet-smelling myrrh, Demetrius.
Thou didst appear, flourishing inside the greenery of the Lord, Demetrius, stained with the blood of torment and the wounds of sections, and suffering diseases, and the kindling of the furnace, and now the myrrh flows ever flowing.
Here again we see the Divine Ark, the temple of the martyr, with a candlestick inside, a coffin, carrying myrrh and oil, around which we will jump spiritually, and, jubilantly, we will praise the great Demetrius.
The new one, like Elijah, was wounded by jealousy for Christ’s love, denouncing the king and delivering him up to death. Either way, you live, and the source of peace still shows the coffin, like a bottle of oil that is never exhausted.
Theotokos: Your ancient sacrament, O Virgin, will be written by Your forefather, singing to the Tsar’s Daughter all glory within, who also glorified You as Blessed One. Rejoice, proclamation for the whole world.
Song 6
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for my iniquities are many, and bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray; I have cried out to You, and hear me, O God of my salvation.
You have flourished spiritually, like a fruitful olive tree, and with spear-bearing hands you will needlessly bend. You console the faithful, now flowing myrrh from your Divine tomb, Demetrius.
In the image of a bee, you showed you the very worker of all things, God-created virtues, a blessed, immaculate soul, like a honeycomb body, observing, and now exuding myrrh, which delights souls.
You loved Christ with all your heart, and you followed Him to the world of incense, and you partook of Him in the best way. And now there are constant streams of peace, Demetrius.
Drops of your suffering blood are dripping onto the earth, you have made incense from the source of peace. And now you continually draw this from those who draw upon you, Demetrius.
Then, wiser, your blood is poured out, like a new river flowing, to those who demand richly give your myrrh for healing, blessed one, to those who come diligently.
Theotokos: Seeing the golden-shaped light, the unquenchable Candlestick, our souls darkened by many sins, let us approach; gives more enlightenment and drives away all darkness.
Kontakion, tone 2
With streams of your blood, Demetrius, God stained the Church, giving you an invincible fortress and keeping your city unharmed; That is why you are a statement.
Ikos
Let us all sing of this great one, having come together in faith, as the armorer of Christ and the martyr, Demetrius, in songs and singing we call upon the Lady and Creator of the universe: deliver us from cowardice and need, Lover of mankind, through the prayers of the Mother of God and all your holy martyrs. We all hope in You to get rid of troubles and sorrows, for You are our affirmation.
Song 7
Irmos: The Jewish youths boldly crushed the flame in the furnace and turned the fire into dew, crying: Blessed are you, O Lord God, forever.
Isaiah commands those who are thirsty to draw water, Demetrius. If I could see your coffin, I would cry out in every way: come to the source of peace and draw salvation.
You were such a land, but you settled in the land of the meek, where the water is sweet; Having already drunk to the point of satiety, now pour out the source of peace, Demetrius.
Thou art grown like a rod in a vine, remaining uncut to God and united; and having been filled with this unspeakable fatness, the ointment, like a stream, is sharpened by everyone now, Demetrius.
Oh, your new struggles! Oh, strange martyrdoms! For your sweat, shed for Him, blessed, Christ accepts, the source of peace shows you.
Shedding the stream of your peace, you stretched out the great abyss of miracles, drowning souls and bodies, ailments, and misfortunes, Demetrius, calming every storm.
Theotokos: Thou didst feed with milk, O Virgin, the Flesh-bearer, Thy begotten God, so that Adam’s illness in hell would be alleviated, having eaten knowledge from the tree and disobeyed the commandments.
Song 8
Irmos: By the sevenfold, the cave of the Chaldean tormentor, furiously kindled by the godly, with better power, having seen this, they were saved, crying out to the Creator and Savior: children, bless, priests, sing, O people, exalt to all ages.
May the revealed God make you exist in the world, Demetrius, preserving the unquenchable light of your soul, always anointed with the oil of deeds, and, like a palace, opening the doors to you, the ever-flowing source of the Divine world shows you, giving this grace to retribution of purity.
Not from blood, as the honest Gospel speaks, but from the lust of the flesh, Demetrius, you were born of God, honoring God Incarnate; Having diligently drained your blood for your sake, you have received wonderful grace from above, exuding Divine myrrh, fragrant souls.
You appeared as a ladder, animated, established on earth by the feet of flesh, and reaching to Heaven; For you have been enriched by God, confirmed, O martyr, in you. The pillar, having appeared, was anointed with the oil of the exploits of torment, and now flows with faith to those who approach the source of Divine peace.
The river of God's prescription is flooded, singing David prophetically, Demetrius; Behold, the coming of your peace is inexhaustible. Thus, many rivers, flooding, will raise their voices, and splash their hands in the glory of the God who has glorified you.
The One Trisagion Lord, You, the Most Powerful God, Whom the Theologized sufferer Demetrius is imprisoned in prison, and with the sensual scorpion of the serpent, having killed the mental one, and having cast down the pride of Leah through Nestor the Divine, he is pierced with a spear, and the ointment is now sharpening out of the grave.
Theotokos: For Adam - Lord, for Eve - You, All-Pure One, Gabriel - for the flattering serpent, the Cross - for the tree, the hill of the tomb - instead of Eden, Rejoice - instead of sorrow, a spear - instead of a flaming weapon, and crimson - instead of fig leaves: You For we sing, O Trokovitsa, for I am guilty of all.
Song 9
Irmos: Heaven and earth were horrified at this, and the ends of the earth were amazed, for God had appeared as a man in the flesh, and Your womb was the most spacious of Heaven; thus they magnify Thee, the Mother of God, the Angels and the people of the ranks.
Your spiritual welcome is alabaster, filled with the virtues of the Divine world, having Christ, I bow my head to you, martyr, as if your life was reposed in the lordship of purity. With this you are pleased and filled with grace, the myrrh-streamer of the world at the end.
Behold the indescribable rewards awaiting you, the bright image, behold, the source of the ever-flowing world, O sufferer! Therefore, standing before God with boldness as a martyr, ask our army for victory over their enemies, and peace will be given to the country.
In the image of the Cross of the Victorious, you conquered the severity of Lievo, and installed both the conqueror of Nestor and the fellow-sufferer; and now every barbarian language is being subjugated by the Orthodox, promoting, dominating, strengthening, and magnifying the earthly ends of Demetrius.
With warm love from the heart, those who resort to your honest ark, martyr of Christ, who sheds myrrh in rivers, with your prayers deliver from the deeds of the soul and the flood of passions of evil; show the sense of smell this most fragrant to the Lord.
We celebrate a day of spiritual joy, Demetrius, seeing your peace continually sharpening the source. You destroy the darkness of passions, as if you are filled with the Divine Light, as if in the day let us walk gracefully, and see God’s unapproachable Light.
Theotokos: You, the All-Pure One, are the golden dove, like an olive branch, bearing the Word of God, anointing Your flesh with the oil of the Divine. It is like an ark in the hearts of the sufferer, who wears myrrh from the grave and anoints the faces of the faithful.
Svetilen
You armed Nestor with the cross, through it you destroyed Leah’s pride, Demetrius, at the tributary, like Christ, you opened your side with a spear, in the image of your flock you guard.
Akathist to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
Kontakion 1
Wonderful governor of the city of Thessaloniki, great servant of Christ and glorious passion-bearer, Saint Demetrius, exuding the worldly mercy of myrrh, praiseworthy we will sing to you who honor your holy memory. But you, having boldness towards the Lord, deliver us from all troubles, who faithfully call to you:
Ikos 1
The Creator of Angels and the Lord of Powers has revealed you, most wonderfully, an angel in the flesh, a strong martyr and a strong representative of the faithful. Having resorted to your intercession, we bring you the joyful calico:
Rejoice, shining star in the firmament of the church; Rejoice, lamp, illuminating the world with miracles.
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of faith; Rejoice, indestructible shield of Christians.
Rejoice, bright adornment of Thessaly; Rejoice, Thessalonica, glorious praise.
Rejoice, fellow citizen of the apostles; Rejoice, O celestial martyrs.
Rejoice, accept the petitions of those who pray to you; Rejoice, pray to God for all of us.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 2
Seeing yourself childless, your pious parent diligently prayed to God for the gift of a child. The Almighty accepts her prayer, and remembering the alms he has given to the poor, bestows them on you, blessed one. For this reason, with joy, I cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having a divine mind, as if you were a child of what was given by God, you abhorred pagan charms, wiser. Having loved parental piety, through virtues like a ladder ascending from strength to strength, you have acquired the grace of God, and ask us, who honor you with these titles, to receive it too:
Rejoice, prayerful vegetation of a pious parent; Rejoice, heir to their piety.
Rejoice, you who made many glad by your birth; Rejoice, thou overshadowed by grace from above from the womb.
Rejoice, fragrant scent of virginity and incorruption; Rejoice, illuminated by your soul and body.
Rejoice, repository of God's gifts; Rejoice from your youth, despising idolatry.
Rejoice, you who love true worship of God even to death; Rejoice, for you have pleased Christ with your piety.
Rejoice, for through His grace you have created much fruit; Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High, Demetrius, is brave in battle, fearful of the enemy, renowned by all people. Likewise, the evil Tsar Maximian handed over to you the city of Thessaloniki, commanding, as if he were so wise, to persecute the Christians who sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having a zeal favorable to piety, you confessed Christ before the unbelievers, the most praiseworthy, and you taught them to believe and worship Him, and as the second Paul was a Thessalonian, with them we cry out to you:
Rejoice, precious bead of the Church of Christ; Rejoice, decoration of your city.
Rejoice, you who bear divine jealousy in your heart; Rejoice, victorious tormentors of deceit.
Rejoice, accuser of idolatry charms; Rejoice, cutter of idols' thorns.
Rejoice, piety to the teacher; Rejoice, teacher on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, unapproachable by visible and invisible enemies; Rejoice, invincible warrior of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 4
He was overcome by a storm of evil thoughts, the wicked king was dismayed, having led you, in all honesty, to be a faithful servant of Christ, leading you to faith in Him and overthrowing idols, teaching the Thessalonians to glorify the thrice-holy name of God and sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing that Maximian, who was breathing on you with rage, was coming to Thessaloniki, with prayer and fasting you prepared yourself for torment, commanding Luppus, your faithful servant, to squander all your possessions and temporary wealth on the poor. Moreover, praising you, we call you with love:
Rejoice, thou who did not fear the rebuke of the tormentor; Rejoice, that you may have gained Christ, you who are all wasted.
Rejoice, thou who imputed the vain glory of this world into one’s mind; Rejoice, having received heavenly glory from Christ our God.
Rejoice, for you have compassion for everyone who requires help from you; Rejoice, quick intercessor to those in need.
Rejoice, enricher of the poor; Rejoice, representative of the orphans.
Rejoice, helper to the poor; Rejoice, hungry nourisher.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 5
Be like the most godly star, Demetrius, you boldly preached the Sun of Truth through darkness to the possessed king. In prison, imprisoned by him, you glorified Christ our God in it, as in the bright devil, singing to Him with joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the flow of good, the hater of the devil, the blessed one who has passed away, consumed by envy, rushes at you in the form of a scorpion. Having trampled upon him, you saw in the great lordship the angel of the Lord, strengthening you and giving you the crown of paradise, therefore accept from us earthly a small crown of praise:
Rejoice, trumpet, who proclaimed Christ God to the unfaithful; Rejoice, flute, who delights the hearing of the faithful.
Rejoice, for with your courage you have rejoiced the inhabitants of heaven; Rejoice, comforted in a darker prison by a holy angel.
Rejoice, most bright palace in heaven, like a martyr who inherited; Rejoice, victorious in the flesh, fleshless enemies.
Rejoice, thou who have plundered them like a spider; Rejoice, the bright end of victory has been accepted.
Rejoice, crowned with the crown of the King of Glory; Rejoice, thou who hast been granted deep grace from Him.
Rejoice, you who have great boldness in acquiring Him.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 6
The preacher of evil, Maximian, rejoiced, as his mighty fighter Leah killed Christians. Blessed Nestor, not tolerating that inhumanity, asked you, martyr, for a blessing, and went overthrown him to the spear, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Having shone forth in Thessalonica the enlightenment of truth, holy one, you sent Nestor to the Lord through beating from the wicked. You yourself, by the command of the king, were gored with spears for Christ; before Him remember us too, who remember your suffering and cry out to you:
Rejoice, having strengthened the deposition of Nestor with your prayers at Lievo; Rejoice, for after the death of Leah, you suffered martyrdom together with Nestor.
Rejoice, for for the sake of the One who was pierced on the Cross, you were gored with spears; Rejoice, escorted into heaven with glory by an angel after death.
Rejoice, dwell in the unflickering light with your soul; Rejoice, rejoice with the martyrs and all the saints.
Rejoice, protection of those who sing songs; Rejoice, prayer book for those who honor your holy memory.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 7
Although blessed Lupus received a blessing from you, the passion-bearer of Christ, after your death he took your ring and the robe dipped in your blood, and having performed many miracles and healings with them, he was beheaded, and he sang together with you and Nestor in the Trinity to the glorified God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
By building a new temple for you, Leontius, who was healed by you, will find in the land your holy relics, exuding myrrh, whose fragrance filled the whole city and healed many sick people. In the same way, heal and sweeten us, who cry out to you:
Rejoice, lover of the fragrance of virtues from youth; Rejoice, angelic disposition acquisitive from infancy.
Rejoice, vessel of grace; Rejoice, temple of purity and purity.
Rejoice, for the Lord has made an abode in you with the Father and the Spirit; Rejoice, for He glorified your relics with incorruptibility of grace.
Rejoice, fragrant Myrrh flows from those; Rejoice, grant sanctification and healing to those.
Rejoice, for you are more fragrant than spikenard and myrrh; Rejoice, for with your fragrance you drive away the stench of passions.
Rejoice, you who sanctified your land and clothes with your blood; Rejoice, heal our mental and physical wounds with your wounds.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 8
You created a strange and wondrous miracle, most wonderfully, when your temple builder returned home, he received the shroud from your holy relics, and passed the wavering and high-water river without getting wet. To the same God who is glorified in you with your heart and lips, sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All burning with love and zeal for you, Leontius the Second, in your honor, holy one, created a temple in Illyria, his fatherland, and there, as in Thessaloniki, many sick and suffering from unclean spirits were healed by your prayers, and many other miracles were performed. And we, marveling at you, cry out:
Rejoice, strong intercessor of those who glorify you with love; Rejoice, wonderful covering for those who build temples in your name.
Rejoice, health to the giver; Rejoice, healer of ailments.
Rejoice, you direct the flow of blood; Rejoice, Eparch Marina, free from scabs and pus.
Rejoice, with your clothes, like Paul of the Ubrists, you worked miracles; Rejoice, who showed the way to Leonty on the river.
Rejoice, for the rapids of the river obey you; Rejoice, for the souls of malice flee from those who call on your name.
Rejoice, for through your intercession we too hope to be preserved from the slander of the enemy; Rejoice, for through your intercession we also believe that we will be delivered from the flood of other troubles.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature was amazed, Saint Demetrius, at your great boldness. I wanted to betray Thessaloniki to the Lord as an enemy, and by the appearance of an angel, I commanded you to leave the city, but you did not leave that glorious one. Having also been vouchsafed a terrible vision and hearing, Illustration tremblingly exclaimed: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The many-prophesied events will not be able to understand, like sometimes captive virgins, your image, the holy one who captured them by sewing, who suddenly admired you, and placed you at your tomb, holding a vigil in your memory, blessing the Lord for you, with tenderness we call to you:
Rejoice, for the truth on earth, even suffering to the point of bleeding; Rejoice, in heaven you stand boldly before the throne of God.
Rejoice, you who are useful from there and send to the faithful; Rejoice, free those who call you from troubles.
Rejoice, for you quickly help those who are embittered; Rejoice, for the Lord graciously listens to your prayers.
Rejoice, inexhaustible storehouse of miracles; Rejoice, inexhaustible source of signs.
Rejoice, liberator of the captives; Rejoice, tamer of barbaric insolence.
Rejoice, send consolation to the sad; Rejoice, give joy to those who mourn.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 10
To save your city from famine, you appeared, Demetrius, in the sea shelters and fathers, commanding those who had wheat to sail with it to Thessaloniki. Moreover, having been delivered from death by you, I give thanks to God for you: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You have appeared to your city as an indestructible wall, God-wise, and an invincible protector to all who call on you, so the Creator of heaven and earth has been kind to you. Likewise, teach us to invite you:
Rejoice, great lover of mercy; Rejoice, compassionate caretaker for the needy.
Rejoice, you who save the faithful from famine; Rejoice, remove them from the invasion of those tongues.
Rejoice, you who have delivered many of Thessalonians from the bonds of bitter labor; Rejoice, removing destructive ulcers and other harm from them.
Rejoice, commander, overcome by no one in courage; Rejoice, warrior, who is no longer depleted in strength.
Rejoice, all who rush towards your city, like Moses, overthrow Amalek; Rejoice, as Sampson, drive away the foreigners.
Rejoice, thou who grant victory to the faithful tsar over their enemies; Rejoice, helping us as a Christ-loving warrior in battle.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome, O great praise, before the radiance of your glory and the greatness of your miracles. When King Justinian desired to have part of your relics in the Sophia Temple, fire came from your tomb against those sent from him, forbidding them to touch your race. In the same surprise and fear, I cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
A shining star, to those who exist in the darkness of unreason, we see you, holy one. I serve Onesiphorus at your tomb with the darkness of sacrilege, and by your double appearance I forbade him to steal the candles lit by the faithful at your relics. For this reason, we call you with reverence:
Rejoice, you who lived holy before your martyrdom; Rejoice, glorified by miracles at the end.
Rejoice, for you rest alive in the city with your relics; Rejoice, for you are the one who brings miracles to life.
Rejoice, for you dissolve the truth with mercy; Rejoice, for you burn with the fire of jealousy for the glory of God.
Rejoice, having your holy relics inviolable; Rejoice, those who dare touch it, like lightning scorching.
Rejoice, you who teach those who sin; Rejoice, punisher of blasphemers.
Rejoice, give sanctification to those who reverence you diligently; Rejoice, fragrance of peace to those who faithfully honor you.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 12
You have received grace, Demetrius, to heal every ailment and every illness in people. Grant healing to our souls and bodies, so that we may sing thanks to God, who has given you a helper and healer: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your miracles, we please you, most miraculously, having boldly confessed Christ God before the wicked, we glorify your martyrdom, we honor your memory, and we bring you joyful calico:
Rejoice, zealous follower of the feet of Christ the Savior of all; Rejoice, let us pass on his courageous imitator.
Rejoice, glorify God with heavenly powers; Rejoice, pray with the Queen of heaven and earth for peace.
Rejoice, thou who grantest blessing to the faithful with a multi-healing world; Rejoice, healing those who are weakened in body and spirit.
Rejoice, Saint Demetrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Kontakion 13
Oh, holy great martyr and faithful servant of Christ, Demetrius, the myrrh-streamer, having received this little hymn from us, pray to Christ our God, may the shrine of the Orthodox faith dwell and be fragrant in our hearts, may the oil of good deeds multiply in our lives, may our lamps not go out in the midnight hour of the meeting of the Heavenly Bridegroom, and may we be honored with you to sing to Him in the eternal Kingdom: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Creator of Angels...” and the 1st kontakion “Wonderful Governor...”
Prayer
Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius, quick helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and to free us from the all-destroying plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to show mercy to this city, this monastery and every Christian country. Seek from the King of the Reigns victory and victory over the enemies of the Orthodox Christians, the entire Orthodox Empire for peace, silence, firmness in faith and advancement in piety; for us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that our Lord Christ God works here with grace, we may be worthy through your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven for His eternal glorification with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dmitry of Thessalonica is a famous Christian saint. He is revered as one of the first to enlighten people that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God the Father, our Savior from original sin and the conqueror of death. Not all believers know about the life of Demetrius, his exploits and labors, as well as the miracles that God performed through his prayers.
One of the most revered Orthodox Christian saints, the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, was the son of the Roman proconsul. The father of the future glorified saint served in the Greek city of Thessaloniki (now this city sounds like Thessaloniki, in Old Church Slavonic - Thessaloniki). The Monk Andrei Rublev paid special attention to the personality of the Great Martyr, painting the face of Demetrius on one of the frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir.
Life of Demetrius of Thessalonica
A saint was born in the third century after Christ. Then it was a particularly difficult time for Christians: for the open confession of Jesus Christ as God from the pagans and polytheists, the brave souls were threatened with certain, most often painful, death. Therefore, Christians hid their faith, that is, they were “secret.”
The parents of Saint Demetrius were such secret Christians. The future saint was baptized in a secret church, which was located inside the house itself. The boy was raised in the Christian faith. After the death of his father, Saint Demetrius received the position of ruler of the Greek Thessaloniki. Guided by zeal for the Christian faith, he began to openly spread Christianity and teach the true religion of the Thessalonica residents, who were mostly idolaters.
Soon the emperor received a denunciation that his proconsul Demetrius is an ardent Christian. The emperor was offended and ordered Saint Demetrius to be taken into custody and imprisoned. Demetrius knew that he was in danger of death, and began to prepare in advance. He distributed his property to the poor, and he devoted himself to fasting and prayer. In prison, he was honored with a visit from the Angel of Christ, and this led to the prisoner’s desire for martyrdom even more.
Maximian stopped in the city of Thessaloniki, returning from a military campaign. The ruler, having imprisoned his proconsul, decided to teach the inhabitants of the city a lesson and entertain himself with gladiator fights. Maximian's men were looking for Christians and dragging them into the arena. The famous fighter Liy easily defeated meek Christians in battle and, while the frenzied crowd rejoiced, threw them off the platform onto spears.
A young man named Nestor, who was a pupil of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, came to prison to listen to his instructions. The young man, no longer wanting to see Liy kill many beautiful and kind people, decided to engage in a duel with the bloodthirsty killer. He went to Demetrius in prison and asked for his prayers and blessings for this matter.
The saint crossed him and prophetically said that the young man would defeat Leah and accept martyrdom. The young Christian, supported by the almighty power of the Holy Trinity, defeated Leah and threw him off the platform onto the spears.
When the ruler Maximian called Nestor to answer what kind of sorcery he used to defeat such a skilled warrior, he answered directly that the gladiator was defeated by an angel who was sent by the “God of Demetrius.” The enraged emperor ordered without delay put Nestor to death.
Realizing that it was through the prayers of Demetrius that the young man was able to win, Maximian ordered him to be put to the same death as Leah was killed: the saint was tortured with spears. Demetrius's servant named Lupp collected the blood of the great martyr onto a cloth and dipped a ring belonging to the new saint into it.
Soon miracles of healing began to emanate from these objects. Word about them quickly spread throughout Thessaloniki, people came to honor the memory of the saint and receive the necessary help. The emperor found out about this and ordered the execution of Lupp. The body of Demetrius, like-minded people of the former proconsul, was buried out of fear of the ruler in the same place where he met his martyrdom. Many signs and wonders were performed at the place of death of Demetrius of Thessalonica, and now the glory of the great martyr spread throughout Thessaly and Macedonia.
Miracles of the Great Martyr
About the silver throne
Many miracles occurred at the relics of the saint, but only the brightest and most memorable ones have reached us.
One day there was a fire in the church built in honor of the great martyr. The strong flame melted the silver canopy over the shrine of St. Dimitri. The Archbishop of Thessaloniki in those years was Bishop Eusebius, who was going to restore the cover. However, he had very little silver for this.
Also in the same temple there was a silver throne, which remained completely undamaged after the fire. The archbishop decided to transfer the throne to the cover for the saint's shrine, but at the same time did not yet notify anyone of his intention. At the same time, there was one God-fearing presbyter named Dmitry at the church. The Holy Great Martyr appeared to him three times with the same words: “Go and tell the bishop that I myself will take care of the city and my church, and that he should leave me in charge of them. Therefore, let the throne not overflow.”
The pious Christian obediently conveyed the words of the saint to the archbishop, but he only listened to the words conveyed for the third time and ordered not to overfill the throne. Soon a citizen of Thessaloniki, whose name was Mina, appeared at the temple and donated 75 pounds of silver. He expressed the desire that this precious metal be used for a canopy over the saint’s shrine. After this, other citizens of Thessaloniki also came and brought silver in the same way. From the collected donations was made magnificent cover over the shrine of the Great Martyr Demetrius.
About the siege of the city
When Emperor Mauritius came to power, the Avars living on the Don besieged the city of Thessaloniki. The Monk Demetrius appeared on one of the city walls and, striking with a spear, threw off the wall the first of the enemies who climbed there. Falling, he dragged the other attackers along with him, and the hundred-thousand-strong army of the besiegers rushed away from the city in horror. However, after some time the enemy came to his senses and laid siege to the city again.
At that time, a certain righteous resident of Thessaloniki named Illustry fervently prayed in the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius for the liberation of the city from its opponents. Suddenly he saw two angels who entered the temple and headed towards the tomb of the great martyr. At their call, Demetrius, as the story goes, “came forth in his likeness,” while, the narrator clarifies, “his face shone brighter than the sun’s light.” The welcoming angels “kissed him” and conveyed the command of the Almighty Lord to leave Thessaloniki, since Thessaloniki “will be taken by the filthy.”
Saint Demetrius began to cry, saddened, and asked to tell the Vladyka that he could not leave his hometown in such trouble and see its death, standing on the sidelines. The saint boldly answered the heavenly messengers: “If you destroy Thessaloniki, then I will perish with it; If you deliver, then I will be delivered with him.” The angels were disappointed with the decision of the great martyr and left, warning him that for disobedience he would face the wrath of God. The saint lay back in the tomb.
The next morning, Illustry told his fellow citizens about what he had witnessed. They were very encouraged and rejoiced that their heavenly intercessor was with them. After a week of siege, enemies for no apparent reason fled, abandoning both their throwing weapons and tents.
About help in hunger
When the siege of the city was lifted, it turned out that all the grain reserves in the city were destroyed, and famine struck in Thessaloniki.
The Great Martyr appeared more than once on ships sailing the sea, went around the islands and piers, commanding ships everywhere with wheat to go to Thessaloniki. Thus, the city was saved by Saint Demetrius from famine.
Miracle of the relics
When the pious ruler Justinian built a magnificent temple in Constantinople in honor of Sophia the Wisdom of God, he equipped honest men to Thessaloniki to bring from there any part of the relics of St. Great Martyr Demetrius for the decoration and consecration of the newly erected temple. Arriving in Thessaloniki, the king's envoys approached the sacred shrine, in which the relics of the great martyr rested, in order to fulfill the royal command.
Suddenly, a stream of flame burst out of the shrine, showering everyone present with a stream of sparks, and a voice came from the fire: “Stop and don’t dare touch me.” All who witnessed this miracle fell on their faces, filled with awe; After this, the royal envoys, having taken only a little land near the place where the holy relics were, returned to the ruler and told him about everything that had happened to them. Everyone who listened to the story was shocked. The envoys handed over half of the brought land to the ruler, and the remaining part was placed in the temple container.
Veneration of Demetrius of Thessalonica in Rus'
There is a lot of evidence that this saint was especially revered by our ancestors, as well as confirmation Dimitri's exceptional responsiveness, helping everyone who needs his protection:
The saint, although he was not Russian by origin, was nevertheless always considered a defender of our Motherland, one of the first patrons of those who participated in military affairs. Prince Dmitry Donskoy greatly revered the Greek saint. On the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, in 1380, he solemnly transported the central shrine of the Vladimir Cathedral from Vladimir to Moscow - icon of the great martyr, which was written on the board of the saint’s tomb. In memory of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, Demetrius Parents' Saturday was established for church-wide commemoration.
For the first time such a memorial service was held in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra on October 20, 1380 by the holy Venerable Sergius himself, abbot of Radonezh, and Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy himself was also present there.
How does the Great Martyr help?
The prayer to Demetrius of Thessalonica can be offered on very different occasions. Here are some examples when the saint showed (and personally) his great help:
If anyone needs help, then you can pray to the saint with an akathist- a small home or temple service, the text of which is compiled in such a way as to cover the entire biography of the saint, mentioning his main miracles and facts of help. Such a prayer is universal and will help you correctly express your feelings and requests to one of the great Christian saints.
Christian saint, venerated among the great martyrs
Biography
According to life, Demetrius was the son of the Roman proconsul in Thessalonica. His parents were secret Christians, baptized their son in the house church and raised him in accordance with Christian principles. After the death of his father, Demetrius was appointed by Emperor Galerius in his place. Having received the appointment, Demetrius showed himself to be an open Christian, preached in the city and converted many of its inhabitants to Christianity.
News of Demetrius' activities reached the emperor and, returning from the war against the Slavic tribes, Maximian stopped in Thessaloniki. Before this, Demetrius instructed his slave Lupp to distribute his property to the poor, and he himself, according to the hagiographer: “began to pray and fast, thus preparing for the crown of martyrdom.” Brought to trial by the emperor, Demetrius confessed himself to be a Christian and was imprisoned. A few days later, battles were organized in the city, in which the imperial favorite fighter Liy defeated many opponents, including city Christians, who were forced to fight with him. The Christian Nestor, who was present, with the blessing of Demetrius, entered the battle and threw Leah from the platform onto spears. In anger, the emperor ordered the immediate execution of Nestor, and the next morning Demetrius:
The body of the martyr was buried at night by the Thessalonica Christians, and the servant Luppus “reverently took his master’s robe, sprinkled with his honest blood, in which he also dipped the ring. With this robe and ring he performed many miracles.”
Version about the Pannonian origin of the saint
The most ancient martyrologists connect the martyrdom of Demetrius with the city of Sirmium (modern Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia), then the capital of the Roman province of Lower Pannonia. Thus, the Syrian martyrology of 411 under April 9 indicates the memory “in Sirmium of Demetrius,” and the martyrologies of Jerome of Stridon under this date indicate the memory “in Sirmium of Demetrius the deacon.” For this reason, there is a hypothesis about the Serbian origin of the cult of St. Demetrius and that initially the day of his memory was April 9, and October 26 commemorates the transfer of his relics from Sirmium to Thessaloniki. According to researchers, the relics of Demetrius could have been transferred to Thessaloniki either after the capture of the city by Attila in 441, or by the Avars in 582 (the latter assumption was disputed by archaeologists excavating the Thessaloniki Basilica of St. Demetrius).
History of the relics
According to his life, after the execution of Demetrius, his body was thrown to be devoured by beasts, but they did not touch him and the remains were buried by Thessalonica Christians. In the 4th century, the first church in his honor was built over the grave of the saint in Thessaloniki - the Basilica of St. Demetrius. A hundred years later, in 412-413, the Illyrian nobleman Leontius, in memory of his deliverance from paralysis, built the first large church between the ancient baths and the stadium that had turned into ruins. The altar part of the built church was located above the supposed burial place of the saint, and during its construction the relics of St. Demetrius were found.
The relics were placed in a silver ciborium. It had a hexagonal base, blank walls and a roof topped with a cross. Inside there was a silver box with the image of the saint's face. Believers could go inside and light candles in front of it. The description of the ciborium was made by the Thessalonian Archbishop John in the middle of the 7th century, and its image was also on the mosaic of the northern colonnade of the basilica (known only from watercolors by the English architect W. S. George). The precious ciborium was lost in a fire in the 7th century.
After this, the relics were placed in a marble tomb. Presumably at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th century, perhaps during the period of the Latin kingdom of Thessalonica, they were taken from Thessaloniki to Italy. The relics were discovered in 1520 in the abbey of San Lorenzo in Campo and returned back to Thessaloniki only in the 20th century: in 1978 - the honest chapter, and in 1980 - the main part of the relics (six large particles remained in Italy).
Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica was the son of the Roman proconsul in Thessaloniki (modern Thessaloniki, Slavic name - Thessaloniki). It was the third century of Christianity. Roman paganism, spiritually broken and defeated by a host of martyrs and confessors of the Crucified Savior, intensified persecution. The father and mother of Saint Demetrius were secret Christians.
In a secret house church that was in the house of the proconsul, the boy was baptized and instructed in the Christian faith. When his father died, and Demetrius had already reached adulthood, Emperor Galerius Maximian, who ascended the throne in 305, summoned him and, convinced of his education and military-administrative abilities, appointed him in his father’s place as proconsul of the Thessalonian region.
The main task entrusted to the young strategist was to defend the city from barbarians and exterminate Christianity. It is interesting that among the barbarians who threatened the Romans, our ancestors, the Slavs, occupied an important place, especially willingly settling on the Thessalonian Peninsula. There is an opinion that Dimitri's parents were of Slavic origin.
In relation to Christians, the will of the emperor was expressed unambiguously: “Put to death everyone who calls on the name of the Crucified One.” The emperor did not suspect, when appointing Demetrius, what a wide path of confessional exploits he was providing for the secret ascetic. Having accepted the appointment, Demetrius returned to Thessalonica and immediately before everyone confessed and glorified our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he began to openly teach the inhabitants of the city the Christian faith and eradicate pagan customs and idolatry.
The compiler of the Life, Metaphrastus, says that he became for Thessalonica in his teaching zeal " the second apostle Paul“, because it was the “apostle of tongues” who once founded the first community of believers in this city (1 Thess., 2 Thess.). Saint Demetrius was destined by the Lord to follow the holy Apostle Paul in martyrdom.
When Maximian learned that the newly appointed proconsul was a Christian, and converted many Roman subjects, carried away by his example, to Christianity, the emperor’s anger knew no bounds. Returning from a campaign in the Black Sea region, the emperor decided to lead the army through Thessalonica, full of desire to deal with the Thessalonian Christians.
Having learned about this, Saint Demetrius ordered his faithful servant Lupp in advance to distribute the property to the poor with the words: “Divide the earthly wealth among them - we will seek for ourselves heavenly wealth.” And he devoted himself to fasting and prayer, preparing himself to accept the crown of martyrdom.
When the emperor entered the city, Demetrius was summoned to him, and he boldly confessed himself to be a Christian and exposed the untruth and vanity of Roman polytheism. Maximian ordered the confessor to be imprisoned, and an Angel came down to him in prison, comforting him and strengthening him in his feat. Meanwhile, the emperor indulged in gloomy gladiatorial spectacles, admiring how his favorite strongman, a German named Liy, threw the Christians he had defeated in the fight from the platform onto spears.
A brave young man named Nestor, from Thessalonica Christians, came to his mentor Demetrius in prison and asked to bless him for single combat with the barbarian. With the blessing of Demetrius, Nestor overpowered the holy saint, a ferocious German, with his prayers and threw him off the platform onto the spears of the soldiers, just as a pagan killer threw off Christians. The enraged ruler ordered immediate execution Holy Martyr Nestor(October 27) and sent guards to the prison to pierce Saint Demetrius, who blessed him for his feat, with spears.
At dawn on October 26, 306, warriors appeared in the underground dungeon of the holy prisoner and pierced him with spears. Faithful Servant Saint Lupp He collected the blood of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius on a towel, removed the imperial ring from his finger, a sign of his high dignity, and also dipped it in the blood. With the ring and other shrines, consecrated with the blood of Saint Demetrius, Saint Luppus began to heal the sick. The emperor ordered to seize and kill him.
The body of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild animals, but the Thessalonica Christians took it and secretly buried it. Under Saint Constantine, Equal to the Apostles (306–337), a church was erected over the tomb of Saint Demetrius. A hundred years later, during the construction of a new majestic church on the site of the old one, the incorruptible relics of the holy martyr were discovered.
From the 7th century, with the cancer of the Great Martyr Demetrius, miraculous outflow of fragrant myrrh, in connection with which the Great Martyr Demetrius receives the church name Myrrh-Streaming. Several times the admirers of Thessaloniki the Wonderworker made attempts to transfer his holy relics or particles of them to Constantinople. But invariably Saint Demetrius mysteriously manifested his will to remain the patron and protector of his native Thessalonica.
Repeatedly approaching the city, the pagan Slavs were driven away from the walls of Thessaloniki by the sight of a formidable, bright young man who walked around the walls and inspired terror in the soldiers. Perhaps this is why the name of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica is especially revered among the Slavic peoples after their enlightenment with the light of the Gospel truth. On the other hand, the Greeks considered Saint Demetrius to be a Slavic saint par excellence.
The name of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is associated, by God’s decree, with the very first pages of the Russian chronicle. When the Prophetic Oleg defeated the Greeks near Constantinople (907), as the chronicle reports, “the Greeks were afraid and said: it is not Oleg, but Saint Demetrius sent against us from God.” Russian soldiers always believed that they were under the special protection of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. Moreover, in ancient Russian epics, the Great Martyr Demetrius is portrayed as Russian by origin - this is how this image merged with the soul of the Russian people.
Church veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in the Russian Church began immediately after the Baptism of Rus'. The foundation of the Dimitrievsky Monastery in Kyiv, later known as the Mikhailov-Golden-Domed Monastery, dates back to the early 70s of the 11th century. The monastery was built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Duke Izyaslav, in Baptism by Demetrius († 1078). The mosaic icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica from the Cathedral of the Dimitrievsky Monastery has survived to this day and is located in the State Tretyakov Gallery.
In the years 1194–1197, the Grand Duke of Vladimir Vsevolod III the Big Nest, in the baptism of Demetrius, “created a beautiful church in his courtyard, the holy martyr Demetrius, and decorated it marvelously with icons and writings” (i.e., frescoes). Dimitrievsky Cathedral is still a decoration of ancient Vladimir.
The miraculous icon of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki from the iconostasis of the cathedral is also now located in Moscow in the Tretyakov Gallery. It is written on a board from the tomb of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, brought in 1197 from Thessaloniki to Vladimir. One of the most valuable images of the saint is the fresco on the pillar of the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral, painted by the reverend monk-icon painter Andrei Rublev.
The veneration of Saint Demetrius continued in the family of Saint Alexander Nevsky (November 23). Saint Alexander named his eldest son in honor of the holy great martyr. And the youngest son, the holy noble prince Daniel of Moscow († 1303; commemorated March 4), erected a temple in Moscow in the name of the holy great martyr Demetrius in the 1280s, which was the first stone church in the Moscow Kremlin. Later, in 1326, under Prince John Kalita, it was dismantled, and the Assumption Cathedral was erected in its place.
Since ancient times, the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica has been associated in Rus' with military feats, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland.
The saint is depicted on icons as a warrior in feathered armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. On the scroll (in later images) they wrote a prayer with which Saint Demetrius addressed God for the salvation of his native Thessaloniki: “Lord, do not destroy the city and the people. If you save the city and the people, I will be saved with them; if you destroy them, I will die with them.”
In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, the veneration of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is closely connected with the memory of the defender of the Motherland and the Church, the Grand Duke of Moscow Demetrius of Donskoy († 1389).
“The Sermon on the Life and Repose of Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia,” written in 1393, like other ancient sources, praises him as a saint. Spiritual son and pupil of Metropolitan Alexy, Saint of Moscow († 1378; commemorated February 12), student and interlocutor of the great prayer books of the Russian land - St. Sergius of Radonezh († 1392; commemorated September 25), Demetrius of Prilutsk († 1392; commemorated February 11), St. Theodore of Rostov († 1394; commemorated November 28), Grand Duke Demetrius “was very sad about the churches of God, and held the country of the Russian land with his courage: he defeated many enemies who came against us and fenced his glorious city Moscow with wonderful walls.” Since the time of the white-stone Kremlin built by Grand Duke Dimitri (1366), Moscow began to be called White-stone. “The Russian land flourished during the years of his reign,” the title “Word” testifies.
Through the prayers of his Heavenly patron, the holy warrior Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Grand Duke Demetrius won a series of brilliant military victories that predetermined the further rise of Russia: he repelled the onslaught of the Lithuanian troops of Olgerd on Moscow (1368, 1373), defeated the Tatar army of Begich on the Vozha River (1378), crushed military power of the entire Golden Horde in the battle on the Kulikovo field (September 8, 1380 on the day of the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) between the Don and Nepryadva rivers.
The Battle of Kulikovo, for which the people named Dimitri Donskoy, became the first all-Russian national feat that rallied the spiritual forces of the Russian people around Moscow. “Zadonshchina,” an inspired heroic poem written by priest Zephaniah Ryazan (1381), is dedicated to this turning point in Russian history.
Prince Dimitry Donskoy was a great admirer of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. In 1380, on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the main shrine of the Vladimir Demetrius Cathedral - the icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, written on the board of the saint’s tomb. In the Moscow Assumption Cathedral, a chapel was built in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius.
In memory of the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, it was installed for church-wide commemoration.
For the first time, this requiem service was performed at the Trinity-Sergius Monastery on October 20, 1380 by St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, in the presence of the Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy himself.
Since then, it has been celebrated annually in the monastery with the solemn commemoration of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, including the schema-monks-warriors Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrei (Oslyabi).
DEMITRIY OF SOLUNSKY
Troparion, tone 3
You will find a great champion in troubles, the universe, more passion-bearing, / conquering tongues. / Just as you brought down Liev’s pride, / and you boldly created Nestor for the feat, / so, Saint Demetrius, / prayed to Christ God / to grant us great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 2
With streams of your blood, Demetrius, / God stained the Church, / giving you an invincible fortress, / and keeping your city unharmed; / that you are a statement.
Demetrius of Thessaloniki - the second Apostle Paul - is the name given to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. On the eighth day of November 306, Demetrius was killed for openly declaring himself a Christian. A common thing for that time was to die for the belief that decades ago the Son of God walked the earth. Every day of the church calendar is the memory of some martyr and saint. It is difficult to remember everyone known by name. It is impossible to imagine how many of them we have no idea about the life and death of.
It so happened that in Russia Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica was especially revered. On the one hand, he is a warrior saint, and our ancestors had to fight a lot. On the other hand, it was reported that Demetrius was a Slav by origin, although he lived in Greek Thessaloniki. Many even considered Dimitri to be Russian. He was perceived as a patron and assistant of the Russians, who sometimes helps them against the Greeks themselves. Evidence of this can be found in the chronicle narration of how Oleg defeated Constantinople in 907: “the Greeks were afraid and said: it is not Oleg, but Saint Demetrius sent against us from God.”
Probably, after the arrival of the relics was announced in churches, many heard the story about the life of St. Demetrius or read his “Life” (if they were not familiar with him before).
So, there is a possibility that Demetrius’s parents were Slavs (Slavic tribes used to settle near Thessaloniki and were engaged in trade. Some scientists believe that thanks to this, Saints Cyril and Methodius were familiar with the Slavic language from childhood: it was necessary to somehow communicate with market traders). They believed in Christ, built their lives according to the commandments and had a small church in their house.
Her son Dimitri was baptized in it. The father was an influential man - the proconsul (supreme ruler) of Thessalonica, professed Christianity secretly. When he died, the emperor met Demetrius and gave him the position of proconsul: the young man was smart and talented and probably knew well everything that a proconsul was supposed to do. There was one “but” that Galerius Maximian did not suspect: the new ruler of Thessalonica was also a Christian.
Unlike his father, young Demetrius did not hide his faith and immediately confessed himself as a Christian before his subjects. One can imagine how disgusted this honest and truthful young man was with the possibility of living, constantly hiding from others - his neighbors - the most precious and important thing that he had - faith in Christ. We can say that Dimitri did not care at all about how to please the emperor, get more valuables for himself and his family, or simply prolong his life.
Faith lived in his heart, and now he had in his hands the enormous opportunities that the position of proconsul gave, Saint Demetrius decided to use them to preach the Gospel. In the Life he is called “the second Apostle Paul.” founded a Christian community in Thessalonica, and Demetrius significantly increased it. And, like his great predecessor, he died the death of a martyr.
The emperor was angry when he learned about the proconsul's preaching. Maximian was just returning from a campaign in the Black Sea region, and decided to visit Thessaloniki with his entire army. Demetrius calmly ordered the servant to distribute all his property to the poor (“Divide the earthly wealth among them - we will seek heavenly wealth for ourselves”) and began to prepare himself for inevitable death by fasting and prayer.
By order of the emperor, the deposed proconsul was imprisoned. And at dawn on October 26 (November 8) they pierced his body with spears.
The body of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild animals, but the Thessalonica Christians took it and secretly buried it. Under Saint Constantine (306-337), a church was built over the tomb of Saint Demetrius. A hundred years later they began to build a new temple and its incorruptible relics were found.
Since the 7th century, during the cancer of the Great Martyr Demetrius, a miraculous flow of fragrant myrrh began. That's why Saint Demetrius is called Myrrh-streaming…
Dmitrov is one of the oldest cities in the Moscow region, founded in 1154 by the Rostov-Suzdal prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Named in honor of the holy great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki - the heavenly patron of the son of Yuri Dolgoruky - Vsevolod, who was born that year.
The complete life of the holy martyr. Demetrius of Thessalonica
Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. Icon with Life
Saint Demetrius was the son of the Roman proconsul in Thessaloniki (modern Thessaloniki, Slavic name - Thessaloniki). It was the third century of Christianity. Roman paganism, spiritually broken and defeated by a host of martyrs and confessors of the Crucified Savior, intensified persecution. The father and mother of Saint Demetrius were secret Christians.
In a secret house church that was in the house of the proconsul, the boy was baptized and instructed in the Christian faith. When his father died, and Demetrius had already reached adulthood, Emperor Galerius Maximian, who ascended the throne in 305, summoned him to his place and, convinced of his education and military-administrative abilities, appointed him in his father’s place. Proconsul of the Thessalonian region.
The main task entrusted to the young strategist was to defend the city from barbarians, as well as to exterminate Christianity. It is interesting that among the barbarians who threatened the Romans, our ancestors, the Slavs, occupied an important place, especially willingly settling on the Thessalonian Peninsula. There is an opinion that Dimitri's parents were of Slavic origin.
In relation to Christians, the will of the emperor was expressed unambiguously: “Put to death everyone who calls on the name of the Crucified One.”
The emperor did not suspect, when appointing Demetrius, what a wide path of confessional exploits he was providing for the secret ascetic. Having accepted the appointment, Demetrius returned to Thessalonica and immediately before everyone confessed and glorified our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he began to openly teach the inhabitants of the city the Christian faith and eradicate pagan customs and idolatry. The compiler of the Life, Metaphrastus, says that he became for Thessalonica in his teaching zeal “the second Apostle Paul,” because it was the “apostle of tongues” who once founded the first community of believers in this city (1 Thess., 2 Thess.). Saint Demetrius was destined by the Lord to follow the holy Apostle Paul in martyrdom.
When Maximian learned that the newly appointed proconsul was a Christian, and converted many Roman subjects, carried away by his example, to Christianity, the emperor’s anger knew no bounds. Returning from a campaign in the Black Sea region, the emperor decided to lead the army through Thessalonica, full of desire to deal with the Thessalonian Christians.
Having learned about this, Saint Demetrius ordered his faithful servant Lupp in advance to distribute the property to the poor with the words: “Divide the earthly wealth among them - we will seek for ourselves heavenly wealth.” And he devoted himself to fasting and prayer, preparing himself to accept the crown of martyrdom.
When the emperor entered the city, Demetrius was summoned to him, and he boldly confessed himself to be a Christian and exposed the untruth and vanity of Roman polytheism. Maximian ordered the confessor to be imprisoned, and an Angel came down to him in prison, comforting him and strengthening him in his feat. Meanwhile, the emperor indulged in gloomy gladiatorial spectacles, admiring how his favorite strongman, a German named Liy, threw the Christians he had defeated in the fight from the platform onto spears.
A brave young man named Nestor, from Thessalonica Christians, came to his mentor Demetrius in prison and asked to bless him for single combat with the barbarian. With the blessing of Demetrius, Nestor overpowered the holy saint, a ferocious German, with his prayers and threw him off the platform onto the spears of the soldiers, just as a pagan killer threw off Christians. The enraged ruler ordered immediate execution Holy Martyr Nestor(October 27) and sent guards to the prison to pierce Saint Demetrius, who blessed him for his feat, with spears.
At dawn on October 26, 306, warriors appeared in the underground dungeon of the holy prisoner and pierced him with spears. Faithful Servant Saint Lupp He collected the blood of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius on a towel, removed the imperial ring from his finger, a sign of his high dignity, and also dipped it in the blood. With the ring and other shrines, consecrated with the blood of Saint Demetrius, Saint Luppus began to heal the sick. The emperor ordered to seize and kill him. The body of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius was thrown out to be devoured by wild animals, but the lions and tigers did not touch him and the Thessaloniki Christians were able to take him and secretly buried him.
This was performed for the first time in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery on October 20, 1380 by St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, in the presence of the Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy himself. Since then, it has been celebrated annually in the monastery with the solemn commemoration of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, including the schema-monks-warriors Alexander (Peresvet) and Andrei (Oslyabi).
The relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius are located in Thessaloniki in the Basilica of St. Demetrius, which in 1988 was included in the list of World Heritage Sites as part of the Early Christian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki. In the Middle Ages, the relics were taken to Italy and returned back to Thessaloniki only in the 20th century: in 1978 - the honest chapter, and in 1980 - the main part of the relics (six large particles remained in Italy).
DEMITRIY OF SOLUNSKY
Troparion, tone 3
You will find a great champion in troubles, the universe, more passion-bearing, / conquering tongues. / Just as you brought down Liev’s pride, / and you boldly created Nestor for the feat, / so, Saint Demetrius, / prayed to Christ God / to grant us great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 2
With streams of your blood, Demetrius, / God stained the Church, / giving you an invincible fortress, / and keeping your city unharmed; / that you are a statement.
Prayers to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, the myrrh-streamer
First prayer
Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ, Demetrius, quick helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, and that we may be delivered from the all-destroying plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to show mercy to this city, this temple and every Christian country. Ask the King of those reigning for victory and victory over your enemies, but for our entire power peace, silence, firmness in faith and advancement in piety: for us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master Christ God is done here, Let us be worthy through your prayers to inherit the kingdom of heaven, for His eternal glorification with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Second prayer
Holy Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and for us, the accursed (names), to be delivered from the all-destructive plague, fire and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to favor this parish (or house) and our temple. Ask us for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through Your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and there glorify Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen