Very beautiful and moving painted Russian icon depicting Saint Pantaleon (also known as Panteleimon or Pantalemon), who is the patron Saint of Physicians and Doctors.
Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He lived in the 2nd-3rd century AD. and was, at one time, the personal physician to the Roman Emperor Maximianus. He was won back to Christianity by the priest Hermolaus and when his father died he came into the possession of a large fortune. Once he returned to Christianity he devoted himself to taking care of poor sick people without any charge for his medical services. He was put to death by the Emperor in 305 AD after refusing to deny his faith.
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