Pantaleon
died c. 304 – Feast: July 27
The cult of this martyr spread in Asia Minor, where Emperor Justinian rebuilt his church in the sixth century, but no actual facts have survived. According to legend, he was a court physician to Emperor Galerius, but rejected a life of self-indulgence because of a Christian friend. After being arrested during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, he was repeatedly tortured, then beheaded. Many marvels were attributed to his intercession and he became a popular patron of physicians. Reputed relics of his blood kept in Ravello, Italy, are said to liquefy on his feast day.
