The Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon (286-305); Our Holy Father Clement the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Okhrid (910)
2 Timothy 2:1-10; John 15:17-16:2
Polyeleos Feast
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-10
Paul exhorts Timothy to rely on the grace and the strength that the Lord will provide as he continues to teach what he himself has been taught by Paul. We see here in part what is understood as Apostolic Tradition being passed from one generation to the next. It continues even to this day.
Paul reminds Timothy that this teaching must be faithfully preached, taught, and lived, despite all the false teachings that may surround it. Standing for the Truth of the Gospel, Timothy will certainly endure hardships and suffering. That is the cost of preaching the Gospel without compromise.
Today, we commemorate Saint Panteleimon. In his submission to Christ and His Church, St. Panteleimon was led to confess Jesus Christ before Emperor Maximian, and in doing so a paralytic was immediately healed. He served our Master well, and this led to his martyrdom. The Emperor tortured Panteleimon and then ordered him to be beheaded. The executioner’s sword bent like wax when it hit Panteleimon’s neck. He could kill Panteleimon until he finished his prayer to the Lord. Because Panteleimon persevered, there were many who converted to our Lord and His Truth. We, too, are to confess our Lord in our day-to-day lives. Like Panteleimon, we mustn’t be afraid. Like him, we serve our only Master.