Saints Cosmas and Damian
“The Silverless Ones”
Martyrs
(3rd Century – Around 303)

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

Source:

• • 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

Prayers

Video Link

Cradio Saint of the Day: Saints Cosmas and Damian – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)