#saint demetrius

[orthodoxadventure]

The garment of the martyr's soul can be understood as his body, of which, again according to the Song, "the cheeks are like vessels of myrrh", and the fingers "like lilies dripping fragrance" (cf. S of S. 5:13. 5 Lxx). As for his pierced side, having been, as it were, opened up by the spears, it can no longer be like a vessel containing myrrh nor like lilies from which fragrant drops escape, but yields and ever-flowing, inexhaustible fountain. Instead of saying with the psalmist, "The river of God is full of water" (Ps. 65:9), we must say that God's spring, the martyr's body, is full of myrrh, miracles and healings, and, most amazing of all, although it pours forth torrents, it remains full. It is as though the holy martyr's soul uttered the same words when it ascended out of his body to God as that soul wedded to God in the Song, namely: "Away, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that my spices may flow out" (S. of S. 4:16).

The Homilies by Saint Gregory Palamas

[monogreek]

Saint Demetrius (Demetrios of Thessaloniki)

by Minas Avramidis (1877-1954)

[koredzas]

Ortolano - Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch and Saint Demetrius. Detail. 1520

[orthodoxadventure]

Of his own accord, he was handed over, imprisoned, seized by the executioners' hands, and suffered as a wrongdoer by the action of wrongdoers, imitating the Lord Who suffered for our sake.

So when the murderous spear-bearers arrived, sent by the tyrant, he received the last blow, with open arms, into his bosom, where he was to be mortally wounded. Or, more precisely, he accepted the many blows, the piercing points of the lances, which went everywhere, through his inward parts, his bones, his flesh, and both his sides, one from the outside and one from within. He doubled, or rather multiplied, the passion of the Saviour's side, filling up, as Paul says, what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1:24). He so desired to be killed and to shed his blood for Christ's glory, over and over again without ceasing if it were possible, that he received a fount of myrrh in his body from the One Who knew his all-surpassing and extraordinary love for Him. Thus, when there was no more blood, this myrrh would thenceforth and for ever pour from his body instead of blood to the glory of Christ, Whom Demetrius not only glorified during his lifetime, through his death and afterwards, but also continues to glorify, and by whom he in turn has been glorified, is glorified and will be glorified, in a divine way, both on earth and in heaven.

The Homilies by Saint Gregory Palamas

[orthodoxadventure]

The Feast of the Translation of the relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest – 2025

[orthodoxadventure]

The martyr is at hand, the Great Martyr Demetrius. After having finished his course, kept the faith (cf. 2 Tim 4:7), and resisted to the point of shedding his blood (cf. Heb. 12:4) to uphold godliness, he was so far from taking revenge on those who had mistreated him, that by praying to God for them he stopped the wickedness of some of them, whereas others he transformed, with the result that nothing of that ungodliness remains in this city. Instead, the city within which and on account of which the divine martyr underwent violent death, stands firm and continues to exist, through his protection in all sorts of circumstances, his many and varied kindnesses, and his unceasing supplication to God.

The Homilies by Saint Gregory Palamas

[orthodoxadventure]

TSAREVICH DEMETRIUS OF UGLICH

The Holy Right-Believing Tsarevich Demetrius was born over four hundred years ago.

As the lawful heir to the Russian throne, he posed a threat to those seeking power. At just eight years old, he was martyred in the town of Uglich through the schemes of Boris Godunov.

Countless miracles occurred at the tsarevich’s grave. When his tomb was opened fifteen years after his death, his relics were found wholly incorrupt and were solemnly transferred to the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Moscow.

In Uglich, on the very site of his martyrdom, a memorial church was erected—the Church of Saint Demetrius on the Blood.

He is revered as the patron saint of children, and his name is invoked in prayers for healing, especially from eye ailments.

The Holy Right-Believing Tsarevich Demetrius of Uglich is commemorated on June 16.

[orthodoxadventure]

The Patriarchal Cathedral contains the reliquary with the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, the protector of Bucharest