Feast day: 26 September
Almost nothing is known about Cosmos and Damian. Sometimes, however, it is important to explore the cult of saints who have become extremely popular, even though the facts about their lives have been forgotten. Little is known about St Nicholas of Myra, yet he is one of the most well-loved saints in the calendar.
Cosmos and Damian were third-century Arab physicians, who became Christians and are said to have practised medicine without requiring a fee. They were martyred in Syria during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. They were arrested by the prefect of Cilicia, who ordered them to recant; according to legend, however, they refused and were crucified, stoned, shot with arrows and finally beheaded. Their younger brothers shared their martyrdom. The veneration of Cosmos and Damian quickly spread beyond Constantinople and accounts of their martyrdom were written by various authors from the eighth to the fourteenth century, such as Andrew of Crete, Peter the Wonderworker, Theodore II Laskaris and a certain Maximus circa 1300.
As early as the fourth century, churches dedicated to the two saints were established in Jerusalem, in Egypt and in Mesopotatamia. The Emperor Justinian I (527-565) brought their reputed relics, which had been buried in Syria, to Constantinople. He suffered from a cancerous leg; the story goes that he had a dream in which the two brothers removed the diseased limb and replaced it with one from a recently deceased man. The Emperor awoke to find himself cured. In gratitude he built a church in their honour in his city. It became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. In Rome Pope Felix IV (526-530) rededicated the Library of Peace as the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano. The reputed skulls of the saints are venerated in the Convent of Las Delcalzas Reales of the Clares in Madrid. They have been there since 1581 as a gift from the Empress Maria of Hungary, sister of Emperor Charles V. There are other places where similar relics are displayed such as Munich, Vienna and Venice.
Cosmos and Damian are invoked in the Canon of the Mass, Eucharistic Prayer no. 1, and in the Litany of the Saints. They have become the patrons of physicians, surgeons and pharmacists, and also of twins. In Brazil they are regarded as protectors of children and on their feast day - especially in Rio de Janeiro - children are given bags of candy with the saints’ effigy printed on them. They are celebrated elsewhere in Brazil with similar customs. Cosmos and Damian are venerated in Utica, New York, at St Anthony’s parish during the annual pilgrimage, which takes place on the last weekend of September. Busloads come from Canada and other destinations. There is a two-day festival with music and food and processions through the street.
The Orthodox Church celebrates the twin brothers as Unmercenary Physicians. Their icon depicts them as laymen holding medicine boxes. They are also shown holding a spoon to dispense medicine. There are many churches throughout the world dedicated to them.
Saints Cosmos and Damian, pray for us.