Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, the Roman general who became a martyr!
Dimitri came from a noble Christian family. He was born in Thessaloniki sometime between the 3rd and 4th centuries.
At a very young age, he was appointed general of the armed forces, but what inspired him even more was teaching the word of God!
Despite the persecution launched by the Romans against the Christians, he continued to convert people until he was denounced as a troublemaker and thrown into prison.
Shortly thereafter, Nestor, a young disciple of Dimitri, was chosen by Emperor Galerius to face a colossus in combat.
Before the duel, Nestor visits his spiritual father to receive his blessing. With the Lord's protection, the frail man manages to defeat the giant!
Humiliated by this feat accomplished in the name of Christ, the emperor ordered that Nestor and Dimitri be put to death.
As the supreme witness to the faith, Dimitri was proclaimed a great martyr and is also known as “the Myrrh-Giver” because of the miraculous fragrance that emanated from his body. He is commemorated on April 9!
