St. Demetrius

“You bolstered the courage of Nestor, who then humbled the arrogance of Lyaeus in battle."

St. Demetrius is one of the most popular of Orthodox Saints. His Icon is similar to that of St. George except that his spear is raised to smite a man rather than a dragon, as in the case of St. George. In fact both Saints are known as “Military Saints”. And both are also “Great Martyrs” for their glory lies not in any military victory but in the victory that is won when one gives his life for the sake of the Gospel. Both men were put to death because they were Christians. St. Demetrius is also called “the Myrrh-streamer” because of fragrant healing oil which has flowed from his tomb.

St. Demetrius was brought up by Christian parents who kept their faith secret since the first three centuries of the Christian era were rife with persecution of the followers of Jesus. His father was a proconsul, a ruler of the city in the name of Rome. The emperor Maximian, trusting in the education of Demetrius, named him to hold his the post held by the father before he died. He gave him a strict command: “Put to death anyone who calls on the name of Christ”. Instead, Proconsul Demetrius used his post to proclaim the Gospel. When Maximian heard of this he was more than furious and ordered that Demetrius be immediately arrested. The Saint told his servant, Lupus, who also became a martyr, to give away his earthly goods for he was preparing for treasures in heaven.

When Maximian came to Thessalonica, an important city of the Roman Empire, named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great, the gladiatorial games were on. Maximian was particularly taken with a powerful barbarian (probably German) gladiator named Lyaeus whom no one could defeat. A young Christian named Nestor decided to take on the challenge. For this he asked the blessing of the former Proconsul Demetrius who was in prison. Then he went to battle with the prayer: “God of Demetrius, help me!” He was victorious and Lyaeus was thrown onto the spears upon which all his prior opponents had met their end. Maximian was furious and had the young Christian put to death after which he sent soldiers to Demetrius’ cell to kill him with spears. This happened on October 26 (November 8 on the Gregorian Calendar), 306.

It is Demetrius who prevailed, however, for Maximian is merely a name in history books while Demetrius continues to be present in the lives of countless faithful throughout the world who ask for his help and protection in the trials and tribulations of earthly life. His help was invoked by Kniaz’ Dimitriy to break the power of the Golden Horde at the Battle of Kulikovo on the Don River in 1380, thereby obtaining the title Dimitriy of the Don. Ever since the Orthodox of the lands of Rus’ have prayed on the Saturday before the Feast of St. Demetrius for the souls of the reposed, especially of the reposed soldiers who died defending their lands against hostile invaders.

This practice remains an important part of the Church life of the Ukrainian Orthodox. There is a synchronous connection with Remembrance Day when we pray for the soldiers who died in the world wars.

Thus the memory of St. Demetrius causes us to reflect upon the tragedy of armed conflict. The killing of other humans is never a good thing for every human bears the divine image. At times in this fallen (but also redeemed) world it is a lesser evil (which is nonetheless an evil). The death of Lyaeus reminded Maximian and other pagans that brute force does not win the day. It is faith that is victorious. Those who act in faith in a loving and caring God, even though they die, continue to live forever to proclaim the glory of God. The defeat of the Golden Horde made it possible to strive to build Christian nations out of the empire held by the Horde. The death of the Allied soldiers made it possible to defeat the incredibly cruel and self-deceived regime of the Nazis who brought such horror into the world.

We pray with St. Demetrius and St. George that the day may be hastened when wars shall forever cease under the Kingship of God. We also believe and proclaim that it shall be so. And we ask for wisdom and courage to work for the attainment of this in our daily lives. Amen.