The
feast is also popular under the name Panteleimon the Traveler, or Water
Panteleimon – it is a traditional feast connected to the belief that
evil could happen that day unless women do house jobs, and that way no
one in the house would get sick. That day, the fly-away birds gather
getting ready for the long flight south, which gives the name of
Traveler to the Panteleimon’s Day. The saint is also believed to be the
lord of the heavy rains and floods. He is also honored as a great
healer.
The traditional belief is that migrating birds start
gathering at large groups and prepare for the long way. The Water
Panteleymon is connected to the belief that the Saint is the master of
strong rain and floods. In some parts of Bulgaria, he is also honored
as a healer.
St Panteleimon was born about 284 AD in the city of
Nicodemia. His real name was Pantoleonta. His mother raised him in the
Christian way of life. His father sent him to study under the famous
physician, Evfrosinos. Quickly he surpassed the other students. Because
of these virtues, he became well known in Nicodemia. St Panteleimon
distributed his wealth among the poor and then proceeded to cure all
who came to him. The only payment he would ask was that the healed
person believe that Jesus Christ was their true healer. His jealous
fellow-doctors betrayed Panteleimon to the Emperor Maximian, who
sentences Pantoleonta to awful tortures but miraculously he suffered no
harm.
Name day of everyone named Panteley, Dobra, Dobrin, Dobrina.