Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon

The Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon is a hand-painted image of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, the young Christian physician honored for mercy, selfless care for the sick, and faithfulness to Christ. Orthodox Christians turn to him in prayer for health, healing, strength in illness, help before surgery, and support for doctors and medical workers.

Saint Panteleimon is shown waist-length, in a red garment with a blue sleeve. In his hands he holds a medical box and a fine medical instrument. These details immediately identify him as a healer and physician, while the large gold halo, relief gilded background, ornamental border, and lower name inscription give the icon a solemn and clearly recognizable Orthodox character.

This icon is especially appropriate for a home where people pray for sick loved ones, a family icon corner, a prayer room, hospital chapel, doctor’s office, medical institution, or as a named icon for a man or boy named Panteleimon.

Features of the Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon

Saint Panteleimon is shown as a young man with an open and peaceful face. His gaze is calm and direct. For an icon of a healer, this expression is especially important: people often pray before this image during anxiety, illness, waiting for treatment, or recovery, and the saint’s face should lead the heart toward hope and trust in God.

The red garment recalls the martyrdom of Saint Panteleimon, while the blue sleeve and lighter details soften the composition. The clear silhouette, fine lines of the folds, and decorative details of the clothing allow the image to remain readable in both small home sizes and larger church formats.

The medical box in one hand and the fine medical instrument in the other reveal the main meaning of the icon. Saint Panteleimon is not shown with abstract symbols only; the details point directly to his healing service, compassion for the sick, and selfless help to suffering people.

The gilded background is decorated with relief ornament, surrounding the figure and ornamental border. The large radiant halo highlights the saint’s face and gives the icon a festive church character. The composition remains focused on the face, hands, medical box, and healing instrument.

Iconography: Medical Box, Instrument, and Martyrdom

Saint Panteleimon is traditionally shown as a young physician. The medical box and instrument in his hands are signs of healing service, mercy, and care for those who suffer. These details distinguish him from many other martyrs and make the prayerful meaning of the icon immediately clear.

The red garment is connected with his dignity as a martyr. Panteleimon did not only heal people; he openly confessed Christ and accepted suffering for the faith. For this reason, the icon unites two themes: medical mercy and faithfulness to Christ.

The gold halo and gilded background point to his glorification in the Church. In Orthodox iconography, gold is not ordinary decoration; it helps express the light of holiness. Here the gold creates a prayerful space in which human pain is brought before God with hope.

Materials, Gold Leaf, and Custom Execution

The icon is made on a solid linden board with oak support splines. Linden is well suited to hand-painted icons because of its even structure, and the oak splines help keep the board stable through natural changes in humidity and temperature.

The surface is covered with natural chalk gesso, creating a strong and smooth ground for painting. The icon is painted in egg tempera, a traditional Orthodox technique that allows the painter to show the softness of the face, clarity of line, deep red and blue tones, and fine details of the box, instrument, halo, and inscription.

The halo, background, and ornamental border are gilded with 23K gold leaf (960 purity). The relief gilded background gives the icon a solemn appearance and emphasizes the value of hand work. Before painting, the size, degree of gilding, relief ornament, color accents, inscriptions, and general decorative character may be discussed.

Icon Characteristics

Icon name	Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon
Saint	Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Iconographic type	Waist-length healer saint with medical box and healing instrument
Feast day	August 9 / July 27 old calendar
Decorative features	Relief gilded background, large radiant halo, red garment, blue sleeve, medical box, medical instrument, lower name inscription
Materials	Linden board, oak support splines, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera
Gold	23K gold leaf (960 purity) on the halo, background, and ornamental border
Available sizes	17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in); larger church and iconostasis sizes by agreement

Choosing the Size

Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Larger church and iconostasis sizes may be ordered by agreement.

The 17×21 cm format is suitable for a small prayer shelf, personal prayer corner, doctor’s office, hospital room, or compact gift for someone who is ill. The 20×24 cm size is a versatile home icon format that clearly shows the face, halo, medical box, and healing instrument.

The 27×31 cm size gives the icon more presence and makes the details of the vestment, gold background, lower inscription, box, and radiant halo easier to see. The 30×40 cm format is suitable for a spacious home icon corner, prayer room, chapel, hospital church, or doctor’s office.

What People Pray for Before Saint Panteleimon

Orthodox Christians pray before Saint Panteleimon especially for health and healing. They turn to him in physical illness, before surgery, during long treatment, when facing a serious diagnosis, pain, fear, fatigue, and spiritual discouragement.

People pray before this icon for healing of the sick, relief of suffering, help before treatment or an important medical decision, support for doctors and nurses, peace of soul during illness, strengthening of children, the elderly, and the seriously ill, patience, hope, and gratitude to God after recovery.

The icon is not a substitute for medical treatment and is not a charm. Orthodox prayer before Saint Panteleimon is prayer to God through the intercession of the holy healer. Prayer for health should be joined with reasonable care for the body, medical help, gratitude, and trust in God.

Who This Icon Is For

The Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon is especially suitable for those undergoing treatment, recovering from illness, or praying for the health of loved ones. It is often chosen for a home where there are sick relatives, for a hospital room, medical office, chapel, or hospital church.

As a named icon, it is suitable for men and boys named Panteleimon. It can be given for baptism, name day, birthday, or another important occasion. It is also a meaningful gift for doctors, nurses, medical workers, medical students, and all who care for the sick.

For a church or chapel, the icon can be made in a larger size or as part of a row of holy healers and unmercenary saints. The format and decorative solution may be selected for the place, lighting, and neighboring icons.

Feast Day and Life of Saint Panteleimon

The feast day of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is celebrated on August 9 according to the new calendar, corresponding to July 27 on the old calendar. This date is often considered when choosing a named icon, a gift for a doctor, a thanksgiving gift after recovery, or an icon for prayer for health.

Saint Panteleimon lived in Nicomedia at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth century. He was trained in medicine and became known for ability, attention to people, and compassion for the sick. After meeting the Christian priest Hermolaus, he came to faith in Christ and understood medical service as a work of mercy rather than a path to wealth or fame.

He helped the sick without payment, which is why he is also honored as an unmercenary healer. During the persecution of Christians he openly confessed Christ and accepted martyrdom. The Church honors him as both Great Martyr and Healer.

Blessing and Care

The icon of Saint Panteleimon may be blessed in church before it is given, or after it is received in your parish. A blessed icon is approached not as a decorative picture, but as a holy image for prayer, thanksgiving to God, and turning to Him through the intercession of the saint.

A hand-painted icon should be treated carefully. Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush or dry soft cloth, without pressure. The icon should not be wiped with a wet cloth or placed in direct sunlight, near a heater, humidifier, or a source of sudden temperature changes. Gilded and relief areas, inscriptions, and the painted surface should be handled especially gently.

Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Questions and Answers

Who is shown on the Orthodox Icon of Panteleimon?

The icon shows the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, a young Christian physician venerated as a helper of the sick and a patron of medical service.

Why is Saint Panteleimon called a healer?

Saint Panteleimon was a physician who helped the sick selflessly, joining care for the person with prayer and faith in Christ. The Church honors him as a healer and unmercenary saint.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They pray for healing, help during illness, support before surgery, relief from pain, strength of soul, help for doctors, and mercy toward those who suffer.

For whom is this icon suitable?

It is suitable for the sick and their families, doctors, nurses, medical workers, medical students, and men or boys named Panteleimon.

When is the feast day of Saint Panteleimon?

The feast day of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is August 9 on the new calendar, corresponding to July 27 on the old calendar.

What does the medical box in his hand mean?

The medical box points to Saint Panteleimon’s service as a physician, his care for the sick, and his selfless help to those in need.

What does the medical instrument mean?

The fine instrument emphasizes the saint’s connection with healing and reminds the faithful that he is venerated as a helper in illness and patron of doctors.

What sizes are available?

Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Larger church and iconostasis sizes can be discussed individually.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board with oak support splines, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera, and 23K gold leaf (960 purity), with a relief gilded background and ornamental border.

How should a hand-painted icon of Saint Panteleimon be cared for?

Keep it away from moisture, direct sunlight, and sudden temperature changes. Dust it gently with a dry soft brush or cloth, especially around gilded and relief areas.