Commemorated on October 26

Saint Dimitrios was born in 280 AD and raised in an esteemed family, as his father was a Roman governor of a province in Thessaloniki. It had been three centuries since Christ ascended into heaven, and there were still many harsh persecutions against Christians as Thessaloniki was predominately a pagan city.

The Holy Apostle Paul preached in Thessaloniki those who believed with conviction converted to Christianity. After several generations, the parents of Saint Dimitiros remained Christian, in secret, and they raised their son in the faith.

 At a young age he was baptized and within his father’s home there was a church that other Christians in hiding would attend.

Saint Dimitrios was highly gifted, as he was handsome, strong and intelligent. He was ranked above his peers in these areas. Although he was gifted, he was shy and would often look down when others spoke to him. He was a virgin in both the body and mind and had a pure heart and spirit.

A new Emperor came to power, Maximian, in the year 286.

Maximian had high regard for Dimitiros’ father and did not discover their secret loyalty to Christ. When Maximian met Dimitrios, he saw his as something special. After the death of Dimitrios’ father, the emperor appointed  him to replace his father’s position as governor trusting he would serve well. He also gave him authority over all of Greece’s soldiers.

Dimitrios’ duties were to protect the city from those trying to break into Thessaloniki and conquer its territory as well as condemn anyone who worshipped Christ.

Maximillan set a decree to put all to death who worshipped Christ.

Ironically, Dimitiros then returned to Thessaloniki and immediately began preaching the word of God the citizens. It said that the work Saint Dimitiros did for Thessaloniki was like a rebirth of the preaching’s of Apostle Paul.

Many turned over from the idols and converted to Christianity as Dimitri was given a gift and a boldness for Christ. He spoke freely and did not fear punishment, as he guided thousands toward the one true God.

He even gave order to one solider to wake him up each night, without saying as to why. He would dedicate his time in the night to prayer to God.

When the emperor heard rumors of what Dimitrios was doing, he did not believe it. He had Dimitiros brought to him, as he could not envision his greatest warrior preaching the Christian faith.

When Dimitrios got word of what was to come, he gave all of his belongings to the poor and prepared himself for a death in honor of Christ.

When Dimitrios was brought before the emperor, he spoke calmly and boldly. He professed his faith saying that Christ was his life and the glories and riches of the Earth are nothing compared to the Glory of the one true God.

After Maximian heard Dimitrios say these things to him, he was enraged. He wanted to make harsh punishment to Dimitrios but he knew that the young saint was his best soldier. So he had him imprisoned hoping he would change his mind.

This night Satan came to Dimitrios in the prison in the form of a large scorpion. Dimitrios had no fear and made the sign of the cross over the creature and immediately it died.

Again during this night an angel of the Lord came to him and lifted his spirits. He said to remain brave as Christ was with him. The angel placed a small crown on his head, similar to those given to the victors in the ancient Olympic games. After the angel placed it upon his head, Dimitrios soul filled with peace.

The next day the emperor then decided to have a circus where he attempted to make fools of the Christians.

With his Champion fighter Lyaeos, Maximum challenged and forced the Christians to fight against him. One Christian Nestor, a young boy, detested hearing Lyaeos call Christ worthless after he defeated each who fought against him. Lyaeos mocked the Christians saying that there God had no power.

Nestor stood up after a fight and yelled down to Lyaeos “I will show you the Christian God is true.”

The soldiers seized the boy and imprisoned him saying that now he will get the chance to fight Lyaeos. Lyaeos was a large and brawly man, and Nestor was only a young boy.

Nestor went to Dimitrios to get his blessing as he knew Dimtirios’ prayers would aid him in the fight.

Dimitirios gave him his blessing and told him that he would win the fight, but also he would be made a martyr for the Christian faith. Nestor accepted this with courage.  

Nestor, no champion before, succeeded and overthrew Lyaeos onto a stage where many spears.

The emperor was angered only increased, as he had been humiliated in front of many. He had also lost his great fighter and sought revenge.  He then ordered that Nestor be put to death and he also gave orders for Dimitrios to be killed.

Many of the emperor’s soldiers marched to Saint Dimitrios cell with long spears and when Dimitrios saw them approaching he raised his arms. They pierced his sides and one spear went straight through across his chest.  He gave his soul to the lord on the morning of October 26, 304 AD at the age of 24.

The emperor commanded his soldiers to throw Dimitiros’ body down a well. But before this could happen, some of his Christian friends came and properly buried his body under the ground where he died.

One of these men was named Lupus, who also became a saint. Lupus took Dimitrios’ blood soaked cloak as well as his imperial ring. He had dipped the ring into Saint Dimitrios’ blood. Both of these relics healed many from illness.

When the emperor found out it was Lupus who had taken these things, he had him put to death with beheading.

From this time, many would pray to Dimitrios and they have received healing and great blessings. He is still the protector of Thessaloniki and soldiers approaching the city for attack and claimed to see him standing guard over the city on his brown horse, and out of fear, they retreated.

Many churches have been made in his honor. When those venerating his relics tried to honorably take a portion to Constantinople or another place to be shared, Dimitiros came to them and made known his relics were not to be moved from Thessaloniki, not even a small portion.

The people of Thessaloniki feel him and honor him as the highest saint of the city. He continues to stream multitudes of myrrh from his body and it is radiant with a sweet and magnifying scent. He produces kilos each year – what glory given to such a vibrant soul!

Glory be unto God for this great and brave warrior who fought for the freedom of Christianity!

Troparion & Kontakion

Troparion — Tone 3

The entire world has found you to be a great champion in times of peril; / for you put the heathen to flight, O victorious one. / As you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaeus, and gave courage to Nestor in the stadium, / in the same way, O Holy Great Martyr Dimitrios, / entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(The Original Melody)
God, Who has given you invincible strength, Dimitrios, / has adorned the Church with the royal purple of the streams of your blood, / and has kept your city unharmed, / for you are its support.