Saint Panteleimon is standing on a gold ground, with the lower register in dark green. He is wearing a green chiton with gold, bejewelled edges and over that a red cloak. In his hands he holds a medicine box, a traditional attribute of the saint. In the red roundel at the top of the raised frame (stripped to gesso) we can see Christ Emmanuel, watching over the saint.

Panteleimon (the name means ‘all merciful’) was an early Christian martyr in the 3rd century during the reign of Maximian. He was already famous in his lifetime as a Christian healer and miracle worker and his cult became widespread in both east and west. He is one of a group of saints known as anargyroi (‘without money’) who refused to accept payment for their healing services. The saint is often invoked in prayers for the sick.