Saints Cosmas and Damian
Feast Day today – September 26
Saints Cosmas and Damian
Martyrs
Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian were twin brothers who lived during the late 3rd century. They were physicians who practiced in the region of Cilicia (now part of Turkey) and later in a province of Rome. They were known and loved for their charitable medical practice. They accepted no payment for their medical services. Miraculous healings were reported during their lifetime. One of the famous accounts of a miraculous healing involved grafting a leg from an Ethiopian man who had recently died to replace an ulcerated leg of their patient. Many paintings illustrate this famous healing. illuminations.
They were tortured, but did not die as they were hung on a cross and arrows shot into their bodies. They were finally killed by beheading. They suffered this martyrdom when they refused to renounce their Christian faith.
Saints Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons. We hear their names invoked in the Canon of the Mass.
