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Demetrius of Thessaloniki

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[[Image:Dimitrij Solunski.jpg|right|frame|12th-century mosaic of St. Demetrius of Salonica, formerly in the Golden-Roofed Monastery of Kiev, now in the Tretyakov Gallery of Moscow.]]:''For other saints with the name "DemetriosDemetrius," see the [[Demetrios Demetrius (disambiguation)|disambiguation page]].
The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-[[martyr]] (Greek: Μεγαλομάρτυς) '''Demetrios Demetrius of Thessaloniki''' the [[Myrrh]]-streamer (Greek Μυροβλήτης) (also ''Demetrios'') is one of the most popular saints in the Orthodox world. He was martyred around the year 306 in [[Wikipedia:Thessaloniki|ThessalonikiThessalonica]], and his cult rapidly grew during the Middle Ages, when he was regarded as the first recognized as the [[patron saint|patron]] and protector of the city, militarily as well as spiritually. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[October 26]]. The [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] commemorates the Saint as a Mitar having a feast of Mitrovan on [[November 8]].
==Life==
Demetrios Demetrius came from a noble family of the Roman province of Macedonia. Through this noble ancestry and through his own ability and virtue he rose to a high military position under [[Wikipedia:Galerius|Galerius Maximian]], Caesar of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire (with [[Wikipedia:Diocletian|Diocletian]] as the Augustus, or senior emperor). Despite this position in the still-pagan empire, he remained fervent in faith and works for [[Christ]], encouraging many Christians to endure persecution and even bringing many pagans to the faith.
When Maximian returned from one of his campaigns to Thessaloniki, which he had made his capital, he had pagan games and sacrifices celebrated for his triumph. Demetrios was denounced by pagans who were envious of his success, and he was thrown into prison. While in prison he was visited by a young Christian named Nestor, who asked him for a blessing to engage in single combat with the giant Lyaios (or Lyaeus), who was posing as the champion of paganism. Demetrios gave his blessing and Nestor, against all odds, slew his opponent in the arena, as [[David]] had once defeated Goliath.
The enraged emperor, learning that this had occurred with Demetrios's aid, first had Nestor beheaded outside the city and then had Demetrios impaled in prison. Later Demetrios's servant Lupus was beheaded after using his master's blood-stained tunic and signet ring to work many miracles. The Christians buried Demetrius and Nestor next together in the bath where Demetrius had been imprisoned. During the seventh century a miraculous flow of fragrant [[myrrh]] was found emanating from his tomb, giving rise to the appellation ''Mirovlitis'', the ''Myrrh Gusher'' to his name. His tomb containing his [[relics]] is now in the crypt of the [[Church of Saint Demetrios (Thessalonica)|Church of St. Demetrios]] in Thessaloniki.
St. Demetrius is revered as the patron saint of Thessaloniki and is believed by the people as having intervened to save the city over the years from invading foreigners, from the Slavic nations, Bulgarians, Arabs, Saracens, and others. While well remembered in the Hellenic world, the memory of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki found an attachment in the Slavic, particularly the Russian, world from the times of the Russian [[Primary Chronicle]].
==Popularity in the sixth century==
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Myrrh-Streamers]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]
 
[[ro:Dimitrie Izvorâtorul de Mir]]
[[el:Δημήτριος Θεσσαλονίκης]]

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