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Hieromartyr Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina in Sicily

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

The Hieromartyr Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina, was born when our Lord Jesus Christ yet lived upon the earth.

The parents of Pancratius were natives of Antioch. Hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, Pancratius’ father took his young son with him and went to Jerusalem in order to see the great Teacher for himself. The miracles astonished him, and when he heard the divine teaching, he then believed in Christ as the Son of God. He became close with the disciples of the Lord, especially with the holy Apostle Peter. It was during this period that young Pancratius got to know the holy Apostle Peter.

After the Ascension of the Savior, one of the Apostles came to Antioch and baptized the parents of Pancratius together with all their household. When the parents of Pancratius died, he left behind his inherited possessions and went to Pontus and began to live in a cave, spending his days in prayer and deep spiritual contemplation. The holy Apostle Peter, while passing through those parts, visited Pancratius at Pontus. He took him along to Antioch, and then to Sicily, where the holy Apostle Paul then was. There, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul made Saint Pancratius Bishop of Taormina in…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Anna Šimková

Pancratius was born during the Lord's lifetime, and his father took him to Jerusalem to see Christ with his own eyes. That is something incredible. I wonder what the trip from Antioch was like with the little boy.

Светлана Кузнецова

Yes, this road from Antioch to Jerusalem with a little boy was probably quite an adventure. I imagine how his father carried him in his arms somewhere, and then they both stood and looked at Christ. I wonder if Pankraty later remembered these days throughout his life.

Natalia Wiśniewska

Yes, this road from Antioch to Jerusalem with a little boy must have been quite a journey - on foot, through mountains and deserts. I wonder if Pancracy later told the apostles about it when he was already a bishop in Sicily. I remember that in the choir we once sang a hymn in memory of him.

Ольга Зайцева

It is interesting how the apostles Peter and Paul together ordained him bishop in Taormina. And after such an early meeting with Christ in childhood, his whole life was probably special. I have a small image of him in my embroidery - such a quiet face.