September 26
Saints Cosmas and Damian
“The Silverless Ones”
Martyrs
(3rd Century – Around 303)
“We are no magicians, no corrupters of the people; but in faith, Christians, and physicians by profession. We are not actuated by selfish motives, by lust of gain, in the practice of our science, as we take remuneration from no one. The happy cures we make we owe not so much to our knowledge, as to the power of Jesus Christ, whom we worship as the true God.””
Saint Cosmas and Damian
Saint’s Life Story
Their Early Life
Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers from Arabia born some time in the 200s of noble and virtuous parents. Very little is known of their early lives. They were Christians, who went to Syria to study and be trained as a physician in Syria. But, they were concerned about more than healing bodies. They brought their belief in Christ to those to whom they ministered. They seemed to have practiced their medical profession somewhere on the southern coast of Turkey.
“The Silverless Ones”
They seemed to have practiced their medical profession somewhere on the southern coast of Turkey. They were said to have taken no fee for their services, earning them the name anargyroi (“silverless”) or the moneyless ones. They took as their mandate Jesus’ words when sending his Apostles out on mission: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; give freely.” (Matthew 10:8).
They were loved and respected by the people for their good works and their zeal for the Christian faith, which they took every opportunity to propagate. Their acts of charity not only healed the physical ailments of many, but also led numerous individuals to embrace the teachings of Christ.
Miraculous Acts
They both became the subjects of numerous miraculous accounts. Legend tells of a man named Justinian, who suffered from an ulcered leg. Through divine intervention, Damian was able to replace the infected limb with a healthy one from a recently deceased man. This extraordinary act astonished the community and reinforced the brothers’ reputation for holiness and healing.
Their Martyrdom
During the persecutions under the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian faced intense trials for their unwavering Christian faith. They were denounced to the governor of Cilicia, named Lysias, as Christians who cured various illnesses and delivered possessed persons in the name of the one called Christ. In addition, it was said that they do not permit others to go to the temple to honor the gods by sacrifices.
So, Cosmas and Damian were arrested and subjected to various forms of torture. After these preliminary torments, they were sentenced to be bound hand and foot and thrown into the sea. they both prayed: “We rejoice, Lord, to follow the path of Your commandments, as in the midst of immense riches; and even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil.” Then, they recited the 23rd Psalm.
Although they were bound and thrown into the sea, an Angel untied their bonds and drew them out of the sea. The witnesses of this fact returned to announce to the governor what had happened. They were brought back to Lysias as magicians, and he decided to imprison them until he could decide upon their fate.
Remarkably, despite enduring other torturous ordeals, the brothers miraculously remained unharmed. These displays of divine protection only strengthened their resolve to remain steadfast in their beliefs. Ultimately, Cosmas and Damian met their martyrdom, being tortured and beheaded around 303 in Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey).
Veneration to Saints Cosmas and Damian began immediately. The faithful asked for their intercession, especially in matters of physical illness. Saint Gregory of Tours spoke about the twin brothers in this way: “These two physicians cured as many people by their prayers as they did by their medical knowledge, and now in heaven they still care for the sick miraculously.”
Their feast day was originally September 27th, but they were moved to September 26th to make room for Saint Vincent de Paul. In Canada, they are celebrated on September 25th, to make room for the Canadian Martyrs.
Born: 3rd Century (exact date unknown) in Arabia
Died: Around 303 in Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey)
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: September 26
Patron Saint: Against Hernia; Barbers; Dentists; Pharmacist; Physicians; Surgeons; Twins
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- America Needs Fatima – Saints Cosmas and Damian
- Saints Cosmas and Damian (catholicfire.blogspot.com)
- CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Cosmas
- CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Damian
- Saint Cosmas – Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints
- Saint Damian – Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints
- Saints Cosmas and Damian – Wikipedia
Reflection
As physicians, Saints Cosmas and Damian showed great love to the sick. When they visited a patient, they inquired into his ailings, and then cured him by making the sign of the cross over him. However, they took no fee for their services, earning them the name anargyroi (“silverless”) or the moneyless ones. They did it all out of love to God following Jesus’ example – “Freely you have received; give freely”. Their exemplary lifes and dedication to serving others through medicine and charity have inspired countless believers throughout the ages.
Although you may not be doctors like Saints Cosmas and Damian, what free services of kindness can you offer to others you met today providing an example of Jesus’ love?
Prayers
Saints Cosmas and Damian,
You, who were faithful servants of God and generous healers, we come before you in prayer, seeking your intercession.
You used your medical skills to heal the sick without seeking any reward, reflecting Christ’s love through your acts of mercy.
Help us to use our talents and resources for the good of others, offering our service selflessly and with a heart full of love.
Your faith in Christ gave you the courage to endure persecution and martyrdom, bearing witness to the power of God even in the face of death.
Inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God’s providence and standing firm in our beliefs, no matter the trials we face.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – Saints Cosmas and Damian
AnaStPaul – Saints of the Day – 26 September – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286) Martyrs
Catholic Culture – Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Catholic Exchange – Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals – Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Catholic Herald – The twin physicians who healed the sick for free
Catholic Insight – Saints Cosmas and Damian
Catholic Ireland – Sep 26 – Ss Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs (died 303)
Catholic News Agency – Sts. Cosmas and Damian Feast day: Sep 26
Catholic Online – Sts. Cosmas & Damian
CatholicSaints.Info – Father Francis Xavier Weninger’s Lives of the Saints – Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
CNewsLive – Saints Cosmas and Damian
Communio – Saints Cosmas and Damian
Daily Prayers – Cosmos & Damian
Editions Magnificant – Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian Martyrs († 286)
Independent Catholic News – St Cosmas and Damian
Loyola Press – Saints Cosmas and Damian Feast day September 26
My Catholic Life – Sts. Cosmas and Damian
National Catholic Register – Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Pray For Us!
New Advent – Meier, G. (1908). Sts. Cosmas and Damian. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Orthodox Church in America – Holy Wonderworking Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian at Rome
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – SS Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Saints for Sinners – Saints Cosmos and Damien
Saint Mary’s Press – Sts. Cosmos and Damian (d.303)
Saint Peter’s Basilica Info – St. Cosmas
The Catholic Thing – The Unmercenary Physicians
The Saint Challenge – Sts. Cosmas and Damian – September 26
uCatholic – Sts. Cosmas & Damian
Video Link
Cradio Saint of the Day: Saints Cosmas and Damian – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)