(), or PANTOLEON (Παντολέων), or PANTELEEMON (Παντελεήμων),
a physician of Nicomedia in Bithynia, in the third century after Christ, the son of
Eustorgius, a person of wealth and consequence, but strongly devoted to paganism. His mother,
whose name was Eubula, was a zealous Christian, and educated him in the Christian faith; she
died, however, while he was yet young, and he was in danger of relapsing into paganism. After
receiving a good preliminary education, he studied medicine under a physician named
Euphrosynus, and by his engaging manners and good conduct attracted the notice of the Emperor
Maximian, so that he was intended for the post of one of the royal physicians. About this time
he became acquainted with an aged Christian priest, named Hermolaus, by whom he was confirmed
in his attachment to the Christian faith, and shortly after baptized. He then endeavoured to
convert his father from paganism, in which attempt he at last succeeded. He made himself an
object of dislike and envy to the other physicians by the number of cures he effected, and was
at last denounced to the emperor as a Christian. After being in vain tempted to embrace
paganism, and suffering many tortures (from some of which he is said to have been miraculously
delivered), he was at last beheaded, probably A. D. 303. The name of
Panteleemon was given him on account of his praying for his murderers.
His memory is celebrated in the Romish church on July 27. A very interesting account of his
life and martyrdom is given in the "Acta Sanctorum" (Jul. 27. vol. vi. p. 397), taken chiefly
from Simeon Metaphrastes. (See Bzovius, Nomenclator Sanctor. Professione
Medicor. ; C. B. Carpzovlus, De Medicis ab Eccles. pro Sanctis
habitis, and the authors there referred to.)