Saint Demetrios
12 Saint Demetrios
October 26
St. Demetrios was born in Salonica, Greece
(270 A.D.) Athletic in appearance and heroic in
spirit. He became a high-ranking officer of the
Roman army. Raised in the Christian faith, he
considered himself a soldier of Christ rather than
a military soldier and spent most of his time
preaching the Gospel and converting pagans to
the Christian faith.
Durning a cisit at Salonica, emperor Maximian
heard about Demetrios and called him to discover
the truth of the conversions. Upon Demetrios
confession, the emperor sent him to jail with the
command to inflict upon him the cruelest tortures.
At this time gladiatorial games were held in
the city with Lyaeus, an athlete-giant, as the main
contestant. The emperor decided to use Lyaeus
against the Christians and called upon any
Christian to fight Lyaeus as a duel between the
Christian faith and paganism.
Nestor, a friend of Demetrios, with the consent
and blessings of the imprisoned Saint, ac -
cepted the challenge and knocked down Lyaeus
proving the superiority of the Christian faith.
The emperor, however, blind with anger, com -
manded that Nestor be beheaded on the spot
and the Demetrios, who was recognized as the
inspiring power in this affair, be killed.
~ My Special Flower ~
Some people have a special way
Of entering your life
Presence like a breath of spring
There to ease your strife
That is what you are to me
Sweet flowers of the spring
Velvet petals very soft
That give me spirit wings
I feel the warmth and beauty
When you are by my side
Your loyalty and special love
Fills my life with pride
Knowing you will always be
A constant friend that cares
Forever I will offer you
My litany of prayers
Jesus always smile upon
This gentle friend you gave
Every day please bless her
For her beauty never fades
Thank you for the flowers
That are showered upon me
Of all the gifts I've treasured
Your friendship comforts me.