The miracles of St. Demetrios are inumerable. From the time of his martyrdom up to today, his miraculous presence and speedy intercession have been manifested for all who have turned to him with their whole hearts. It often seems that when we have no other hope but to turn to the Lord and his saints, that then he manifests himself and grants that for which we ask, because we now ask with greater urgency and even abandon. Such was the case with the healing of a young woman upon whom doctors had given up, but whose family sought out with fervent prayer the help of the Lord.

In the 1920s, a young woman from Thessaloniki, who would go on to become the well-known and saintly Gerontissa Gavrilia, had become quite ill. She had had a persistent high fever for many days and her family was greatly worried.  They prayed fervently for the Lord to work a miracle, as the doctors were unable to help their daughter.

One night while her family was asleep, Avrilia, which was her baptismal name, heard the sound of someone wearing a suit of armor come clanging into her bedroom. Then a hand pulled aside the mosquito net around her bed and she saw a young man who spoke to her in a reassuring voice. “Do not be afraid. Tomorrow you shall be made well.” And then he disappeared.

Avrilia cried out and her mother came to her. When her mother heard the description of the strange visitor she made the sign of the cross and said, “The Lord be praised!” It was the eve of October 26th, the feast day of St. Demetrios, and the fever abated just as the saint said it would. 

“The world found in you a great champion in dangers, a victor who could turn the nations back, as you restrained Leos in the arena, inspiring Nester with courage, O great martyr Demetios, entreat Christ our God, that he grant us the great mercy.”