Blessed Dimitri Of Philadelphia – 2 June – Story & Sacred Art Iconography
Blessed* Dimitri Of Philadelphia. A Greek officer in Turkish army. Forcibly converted from Christianity to Islam as a child. A 25 years old martyr whose feet were cut off and who was burnt alive.
Dimitri (1632–1657) was born in Philadelphia (Asia Minor) into a Christian family of Byzantine tradition. When he was 13, his father died and Dimitriwas forced by the Turks into the service of the highest official of the city and to convert to Islam. When he grew up he became a military officer.
At the age of 25 Dimitri realized that the true faith has been stolen from him. He openly confessed himself to be a Christian, for which Turks cut off his feet and then threw him into the fire where he was burnt alive.
Iconography of Blessed Dimitri of Philadelphia – a young man wearing garments of a Turkish nobleman. Holding a crucifix.
* Saints are publicly venerated throughout the Church, the Blessed are publicly venerated only in a particular community or locality. Any of them can be worshiped privately. The process of declaring someone as a Saint in the Church consists of several stages. From first to last, the corresponding titles are: Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed and Holy. “Blessed” are the beatified. Beatification requires one witnessed miracle and allows the local church to honor the beatified person. Canonization requires two witnessed miracles and allows for the veneration of the Saint by the universal Church.
