October 26: Saint Demetrius the Myroblytis is celebratedtranslated

The Martyrs hold the vanguard in the chorus of saints of our Church, because they gave their testimony for Christ and sealed it with their martyrdom. They exchanged their lives for faith in the true God, setting in practice the example of the greatest heroism in the history of the world, defying the horrible persecutions of the pagans.

By Lambros Skontzou (Theologian)

One of them is the Great Martyr Saint Demetrius. He was born and lived in Thessaloniki during the years of the emperors Diocletian (284-304) and Maximian (286-305), in an extremely difficult time for the Church, because in those years the most terrible persecutions against Christians had broken out, where whole clouds of martyrs shed their blood for their faith in Christ.

From his devout parents he inherited deep piety. This made him a fervent Christian youth, adorned with the virtues and gifts that flow from the Christian life. His remarkable education made him a teacher of the Christian faith. His knowledge and above all his brilliant example attracted multitudes of pagans to the saving faith of Christ.

As a teenager he was called to serve in the Roman…