Demetrius of Thessalonica

Tradition makes Demetrius an officer of Sirmium or Thessalonica, imprisoned for his faith under Galerius and run through with spears in the baths where he was held. His shrine at Thessalonica, built over those baths, became the religious heart of the city, which credited him with repelling the Avar and Slav sieges of the seventh century by appearing on the ramparts. He is called myroblyte because his tomb was said to exude a fragrant oil that pilgrims carried away. With Saint George he forms the pair of mounted warrior saints of Byzantine iconography.