St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki

Demetrios was a Roman officer in Thessaloniki who openly taught the faith in his own city. He was arrested under the emperor Maximian, and from prison he blessed a young Christian named Nestor, who went into the arena and defeated the emperor’s champion gladiator. In revenge soldiers ran Demetrios through with spears in his cell. His relics began to stream fragrant myrrh, and for centuries the city has credited him with defending it from sieges. His great basilica still stands in Thessaloniki.

• Feast: October 26 (New Calendar)
• Lived: died c. 306
• Place: Thessaloniki
• Relics today: St. Demetrios Basilica, Thessaloniki