SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN - Dr. Augustine Sokolovski

According to the Passion story of these saints, Cosmas and Damian were brothers. They came from Arabia. They received their education in Syria. There they also practiced as doctors and suffered for Christ. Their canonization took place in Rome. Therefore, the memory of Saints Cosmas and Damian is celebrated three times a year.

Following the liturgical year, which, as we know, begins on September 1, the first celebration takes place on October 30, the second on November 14, and finally, the third, the summer festival in honor of the saints, takes place on July 14, the third day after the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, which in itself is very biblically symbolic and theologically remarkable.

These various feasts are linked to the day of the martyrdom, the translation of the relics, and the dedication of the most important historic churches in honor of the saints. Paradoxically, this common practice in canonization theology contributed to the widespread belief in popular piety since ancient times that there were three entirely different "Cosmas and Damian."

Let's take the example of another highly venerated ancient saint: Saint Nicholas. In the Russian Church, his memory is celebrated three times a year: 1. on the anniversary of his death in December; 2. on the transfer of his relics in May; and 3. finally, on the rare feast of the Nativity of Nicholas in August. Had Saint Nicholas suffered the fate of Cosmas and Damian, he would have been transformed into three different saints: Nicholas of Myra; Nicholas of Italy, since his relics were transferred from Asia Minor to Italy; and finally, Nicholas of Russia, thanks to his birthday in August and the special veneration of this saint in the Russian Church. Fortunately, in the case of Nicholas, no such confusion occurred. Yet in the case of Cosmas and Damian, that is precisely what happened!

Let's consider the three different Cosmas and Damian: Cosmas and Damian of Arabia, Cosmas and Damian of Asia, and Cosmas and Damian of Rome. Cosmas and Damian of Arabia owe their name to their place of origin, the Arabian Peninsula. Cosmas and Damian of Asia owe their name to the place of their medical practice and martyrdom. Finally, Cosmas and Damian of Rome owe their name to the fact that after their martyrdom, they were venerated as great Christian saints in Rome. But again: They are the same saints!

Cosmas and Damian were physicians. They preached Christianity and treated many people free of charge. God supported them with his grace in their medical work, so much so that the power of Christ, supernaturally and for evangelistic purposes, often cured incurable diseases. By treating them successfully and free of charge, they thereby contributed to the reduction in the incomes of other doctors. Saints Cosmas and Damian were slandered by these competing physicians. Two possible dates for their martyrdom are the brief reign of the little-known Roman Emperor Carinus from 282 to 285, or the great persecution of his successor, Diocletian.

Their veneration is very ancient and worldwide. The signs and wonders performed through their prayers, from their relics, and in the churches dedicated to them were so numerous that it would take a long time to enumerate the blessings received through their prayers. Saints Cosmas and Damian are invoked in the ancient Eucharistic prayers, in the text of the Sacrament of Anointing, at the blessing of water, and in prayers for the healing of the sick. The troparion to Saints Cosmas and Damian also testifies to their very ancient veneration. It is very short, like the troparion of Easter. "The faith of the Church is in brief words," wrote Augustine. As a rule, very short prayers and troparia are the oldest.

"Holy unmercenaries and wonderworkers, Cosmas and Damian, visit our infirmities. Freely you have received, freely give to us”– this is the entire troparion.

The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Rome preserves a famous 6th-century mosaic. Inspired by texts from the Apocalypse, this image depicts Cosmas and Damian before Christ, alongside the Apostles Peter and Paul. "This church is dedicated to the two martyrs who came from the East to bring people hope of health and salvation," reads the inscription. Let us also consider the proximity of the summer commemoration of the holy doctors to the liturgical feast of the Apostles!

"Oh, beauty, so ancient and yet so young!" Saint Augustine addressed God. Saints Cosmas and Damian are the light of the East. Today, the light of the East must be Orthodoxy and its sincere and authentic devotion to God and the holy martyrs.