ST. DIMITRIOS THE MYRRHSTREAMER

Every church is dedicated to a feast of the Lord, the Virgin Mary or a Saint. Our church has the honour of being dedicated to two Saints who showed their love to Christ and His Church with their sacrifice. May they intercede for us always!

Feastday: October 26th

Apolytikion (Dismissal Hymn):

Μέγαν εὕρατο ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις, σὲ ὑπέρμαχον ἡ οἰκουμένη, Ἀθλοφόρε τὰ ἔθνη τροπούμενον. Ὡς οὖν Λυαίου καθεῖλες τὴν ἔπαρσιν, ἐν τῷ σταδίῳ θαρρύνας τὸν Νέστορα, οὕτως Ἅγιε, Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεὸν ἱκέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

All the world has you, its mighty champion, fortifying us in times of danger, and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. So, as you humbled Lyaios's arrogance by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, thus, O holy Great Martyr Dimitrios, to Christ our God pray fervently, beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy.

About his life:

Saint Dimitrios the Great Martyr hailed from Thessaloniki. He belonged to a noble and religious family of whom he was the most religious son. In his life, St. Dimitrios taught about Christ and His love to every person who wanted to listen.

At the time St. Dimitrios was alive, it was seen as 'illegal‛ to be a Christian according to the Roman authorities. They couldn’t understand Christianity and its message of love. For hundreds of years, thousands of Christians witnessed for Christ through martyrdom.

In 290, Emperor Maximian went to Thessaloniki. When it was discovered that St. Dimitrios was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. When the Olympics were taking place in the city, Maximian remained a spectator and a certain friend of his arrived. His name was Lyaeus, a barbarian and a notable wrestler because of the height and strength of his body. As Lyaeus stormed into the stadium, he challenged the citizens to a contest but all who fought with him were defeated. At that moment, a youth by the name of Nestor, another Christian of Thessaloniki, went to visit St. Dimitrios. Nestor asked for the Saint's blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handedly. Nestor then sealed himself with the sign of the precious Cross and said, "O God of Dimitrios, help me!" Immediately, Nestor began the combat and overpowered Lyaeus with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving Lyaeus lifeless upon the earth he once fought. As Maximian became overwhelmed with grief and learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded that St. Dimitrios be held accountable. St. Dimitrios was pierced with a long cavalry spear. Maximian also commanded that Nestor be slain with his own sword.

Scriptural Readings for the Saint's feast include:

St. Dimitrios made a difference!

He was able to fight against the powers of the Evil One with the help of Christ. If we have faith, Jesus says that we can do great and marvelous things. St. Dimitrios taught people about the Faith, brought them closer to God, and was willing to give up everything to be close to Him. All of us should take a moment and ask, are we bringing ourselves, our family, and friends closer to Him? Being brave for God will mean that we will be together with Him. Let’s make that commitment today.

Saint Dimitrios: About