Demetrius of Thessaloniki

Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki was a Christian martyr, who lived in the early 4th century.

By the time Demetrius had reached maturity emperor Galerius Maximian had ascended the throne (305). The emperor's policy regarding Christians was expressed simply, "Put them to death."

Maximian, confident in Demetrius' education as well as his administrative and military abilities, appointed him to his father's position as proconsul of the Thessalonica district. Accepting the appointment, Demetrius returned to Thessalonica but instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he began to teach the Christian Faith openly to the inhabitants of the city.

When the emperor came into the city, he summoned Demetrius, who boldly confessed himself a Christian and denounced the falsehood and futility of Roman polytheism. Maximian gave orders to lock up the confessor in prison.

Meanwhile the emperor amused himself by staging games in the circus. His champion was a German by the name of Lyaeos. He challenged Christians to wrestle with him on a platform built over the upturned spears of the victorious soldiers.
A brave Christian named Nestor went to the prison to his advisor Demetrius and requested a blessing to fight the barbarian. With the blessing and prayers of Demetrius, Nestor prevailed over the fierce German. The enraged commander ordered the execution of the holy Martyr Nestor (October 27) and sent a guard to the prison to kill St Demetrius. At dawn on October 26, 306 soldiers appeared in the saint's underground prison and ran him through with lances.

During the Middle Ages, Demetrius came to be revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints, often paired with Saint George. His feast day is October 26.