TODAY'S SAINT (Demetrius)
DEMETRIUS
Martyr
All that we know for certain about St. Demetrius is that he was martyred during the persecution of Diocletian at Dirmium in Dalmatia. Afterward a prefect of Illyrea name Leontius introduced his cult to Salonika, translated some of his relics there, and built a temple in his honor in both cities. From the 5th century on, Salonida was the great center of the cult of St. Demetrius, and his imposing church was destroyed only in 1917.
According to a legendary history, St. Demetrius was a citized of Salonika who was arrested for proclaining the Faith. He was then slain without a trial as he was being detained in a room of the public baths. Other accounts make him a proconsul and a warrior-saint, and in this latter capacity he almost equaled the popularity of the great legendary figure St. George. Both of these saints were adopteas patrons by the crusaderes and a story says that they were seen in their ranks at the Battle of Antioch in 1098.
St.. Demetrius is still very popular in the East and his feast is celebrated with solemnity in the Eastern liturgy.
PRAYER
Almighty and ever-living God, You enabled St. Demetrius
totight for justice even unto death. Through his help, grant
that we may tolerate all our might to You Who alone are life.
Amen.
Feast: Occtober 26
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posted by US Catholic @ 1:21 PM
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