Demetrius of Thessalonica, Saint

DEMETRIUS OF THESSALONICA, Saint. - Martyr under Maximian around 306, whose cult, belatedly introduced to Thessalonica by the praetorian prefect of Illyricum Leontius at the beginning of the 5th century, immediately acquired the greatest celebrity throughout the Greek world both as a military saint and as patron of that metropolis, which believed itself to be in possession of his relics. The copious literature that grew up around the senatorial and consular character of the figure, as well as his cult, have as their foundation only a threefold series of later legends.

The primitive martyrologies did not know a St. Demetrius martyr at Thessalonica, but at Sirmium (Syriac Martyrology, 9 April), without indicating his particulars or with the qualification of deacon (Hieronymian Martyrology, under 9 April). D. was therefore a native of Sirmium, where his cult was previously found, and where likewise Leontius of Illyricum caused a church to be built? Were only some relics transferred to Thessalonica and not the body, which remained at Sirmium in the place of martyrdom? Why was the transition made from a saint who was a deacon to a saint who was a soldier? These are the problems raised by the comparative study of the legendary notices concerning St. D. in the documents now known. It is certain that the basilica erected by Leontius in Thessalonica was throughout the Middle Ages a goal of pilgrimages. In the Roman Martyrology, his feast is on 8 October.

Emanuele Candal