“A doctor turned saint” sounds like a movie plot. But it is the true story of St. Dimet. Right here in Hamburg-Neugraben stands a church dedicated to this fascinating figure. St. Dimet was not always a saint.
Originally, he was a Persian doctor and an idolater. Like St. Paul, Dimet persecuted Christians. He converted to Christianity later in life. The Persian religion could not satisfy him. He longed to know the true God.
A Christian named Uaros catechized him. Dimet withdrew to Nisibis. There, Schabai baptized him in a monastery. He received the monastic tonsure.
He moved to the monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. It was in Theodosopoulos. Archimandrite Urbelos guided the monastery. Urbelos was a strict ascetic. For sixty years, he did not eat cooked food. Nor did he lie down to sleep. Instead, he rested standing, supporting himself on his staff.
Dimet was ordained a deacon. The archimandrite wanted him to be a presbyter. But Dimet felt unworthy. He wished to remain a simple monk. With the abbot’s blessing, he left for a deserted place. He ascended a desolate mountain in Syria. He lived in a cave with two disciples. He devoted himself to asceticism and prayer.
Stories spread about St. Dimet. People flocked to him for blessings and healing. He converted many pagans. Emperor Julian the Apostate arrived. He was traveling on a campaign against the Persians. Julian ordered soldiers to find Dimet. They found him praying in a cave with his disciples. The soldiers walled them up alive inside.
Emperor Julian accused Dimet of seeking popularity. Dimet had reproached Julian for his impiety. Julian was enraged. He had Dimet and his disciples stoned to death. They were chanting the Sixth Hour.
St. Dimet died on September 24, either in 362 or 408 AD. A woman healed by St. Dimet moved his relics. Bishop Theodore of Amid transferred them. St. Joseph, a disciple of Bishop Theodore, built a monastery over the relics.
Today, we remember St. Dimet. Churches bear his name in Tur Abdin, Lebanon, and Qelith. Here in Hamburg, this church stands as a testament to his life. St. Dimet is commemorated on September 24 and August 7. The story of St. Dimet is a reminder that anyone can change. Even a persecutor can become a saint.