08 works, Today, October 26th, is Martyr Saint Demetrius' day, his story illustrated #297

Manuel Panselinos the Great Iconographer

Martyr Saint Demetrius, circa 1290

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Church of Protaton on Mount Athos

Demetrius is represented by Panselenos standing upright holding a javelin in his right hand and a bow and two arrows in his left. Behind him his shield is visible. Panselenos decorates his hair with a diadem similar to Saint George's. More on this work

Manuel Panselinos or Panselenos was a Byzantine painter, from Saloniki,  of the late thirteenth and early fourteenth century, one of the most important late Byzantine artists , and one of the main creators of the religious iconography of Eastern Christianity . It is considered the summit of the Macedonian school , sometimes called the school of Panselinos (1290-1320). 

The first mention of his name is in an 18th-century manual of painters by Dionysius of Fourna, who does not provide his dates or mention specific works. It is unclear to this day whether there was actually a painter by this name, since contemporary sources do not mention him. More on Manuel Panselinos or Panselenos

Unknown artist

Demetrius Defends Thessaloniki from the Kumans

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Visoki Decani Monastery, Kosovo & Metohija

Martyr Demetrius, the Outpourer of Myrrh, was a native of Thessalonica, born of noble parents. His wisdom and distinction in battle earned him rapid advancement in the service of the Empire: in time he was appointed commander of all the Roman forces in Thessaly, and Proconsul of Hellas. 

Unknown artist

St. Demetrius Killing Bulgarian Tsar Kaloian

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Visoki Decani Monastery, Kosovo

Despite these worldly honors, Demetrius put his Christian faith before all, and by his words and example brought many pagans to faith in Christ.

Unknown artist

St. Demetrios before Maximian

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The Patriarchate of Pec, Kosovo

When the Emperor Maximian, a persecutor of Christians, came to Thessalonica he appointed games and public sacrifices to celebrate his recent victory over the Scythians. Some jealous pagans used the visit to denounce Demetrius to the Emperor. Maximian had Demetrius cast into a fetid cell in the basement of some nearby baths. Maximian had brought with him a huge barbarian of tremendous strength named Lyaios, who fought many men in the arena and defeated them all, to the entertainment of the Emperor and the crowds. 

Unknown artist

St. Demetrios blessing St. Nestor

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The Patriarchate of Pec, Kosovo

Kartsoneon Brotherhood

SS Demetrios and Nestor

Icon

Mount Athos

Ioaniki from Samokov (unknown–post-1861).

Saint Demetrius, c. 1824

Bulgarian icon

I have no further description, at this time

Demetrius spearing the gladiator Lyaeus, who is dressed in a Turkish uniform

I found no biographical data on the iconographer

A young Christian named Nestor determined to show the people that the only true strength is in Christ: he visited Demetrius in his cell and asked for his blessing to challenge Lyaios to combat. The Martyr made the sign of the Cross over Nestor and sent him to the arena with his blessing. Nestor, a young boy, cried out before the Emperor 'God of Demetrius, help me!' and quickly killed the mighty Lyaios, to the astonishment of the crowd. 

Unknown painter of Chandakas

The martyrdom of Saint Dimitrios, c. 15th century

50.5x53cm

I have no further description, at this time

In the picture, the young Saint Demetrius is sitting on a bench, on which he rests with his left hand and raises his right while receiving the blows from the spears of the soldiers, who are standing on the left. Behind him, his slave, Loupos, watches the scene in horror. At the same time an angel descends from heaven holding a precious crown to crown the saint. In the background are a building that has a gate with an arched lintel, as well as a wall with a tower-like structure.

The infuriated Emperor had Nestor slain with his own sword, and sent soldiers to Demetrius' cell, where they killed him with their spears. Demetrius' servant, a believer named Lupus, retrieved the body of Demetrius and buried it with honor. He kept the Saint's ring and blood-stained tunic, and through them worked several miracles and healings. When the Emperor heard of this, he had Lupus, too, beheaded.

Unknown artist

St. Demetrios' martyred body was initially thrown within a well in the bathhouse where he was martyred, but was later buried piously by the Christians of Thessaloniki

Fresco
I have no further description, at this time

As a sign of the grace that rested on the holy Demetrius, a fragrant myrrh flowed copiously from the Martyr's body after his death, healing many of the sick. For many centuries, St Demetrius has been a patron Saint of Thessalonica. More on Martyr Demetrius

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