Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church sends greetings to the participants in ‘The Worship of St.Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Healer and Relations between Russia and Mount Athos – towards the 1700th Anniversary of his Blessed Demise) conference

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent the following greetings to the participants and guests of ‘The Worship of St.Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Healer and Relations between Russia and Mount Athos – towards the 1700th Anniversary of his Blessed Demise) conference being held in the Pilgrims Centre of the Moscow Patriarchate on 15 December 2005.

Dear archpastors, revered fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

I wholeheartedly greet you, the participants in the church scholarly conference dedicated to the memory of the Holy and Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. The conference is held in compliance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and concludes the programme of events by which our Church marked the 1700th anniversary of the martyr’s death of the saint who is deeply venerated by the people of God.

The Holy and Great Martyr Panteleimon is one of brightest stars on the horizon of the holy Orthodox Church adorned by the assembly of numerous martyrs and confessors. Their suffering was foretold by the Lord Himself: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you’ (Jn 15:20). The words of the Saviour reveal the meaning of martyrdom that is a complete imitation of Christ and participation in His witness and His salutary work. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized the enormous and unprecedented number of martyrs in the recent years. The process of glorification continues, and a topic of martyrdom is close and important to our Church.

The Prophet David said that ‘the righteous will be remembered for ever’ (Ps 112:6). Seventeen centuries that separate us from the martyrdom of St.Panteleimon is not a long period for God, in Whose eyes, according to the Divine Psalmist, ‘a thousand years are but as yesterday (Ps 90:4). However, this period occupies a considerable time in human history, and the memory and commemoration of this saint passed from one generation of Christians to another is interesting to theology. There should also be noted the deep veneration of St.Panteleimon in Byzantium and later in Russia where it was established when nation was baptized. The Providence of God unites our Church by spiritual ties with the Great Martyr through the Holy Mount Athos, where his venerable head rests in the Russian Monastery of St.Panteleimon.

St.Panteleimon is venerated not only as a great martyr, but also as a healer and unmercenary. This brings us to the theme of spiritual and physical healing in the Orthodox Church. The healing in the Church of Christ is performed by the grace of the Holy Spirit given according to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through prayers and partaking of the Holy Mysteries. The miracle of healing in the Church should be accompanied by physicians’ work as the ministry of love performed for prevention and alleviation of human suffering. By the grace of God, nothing stands in the way of our Church as she develops her mission in the medical sphere. A rich positive experience of such ministry has been accumulated in our capital city and elsewhere. May Gad grant this sacrificial God-pleasing work of the Orthodox clergymen and laymen to be developed and improved through the prayers of St.Panteleimon and other holy physicians and unmercenaries.

I wholeheartedly wish success to this church scholarly conference to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and in praise of the holy and glorious Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.

I invoke God’ blessing on your work.

+ALEXY,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA