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St
Cosmas
(–303)
Biographical
Cosmas and Damian
were early Christian physicians and martyrs. They were twins, born in
Arabia, and practised the art of healing in the seaport Ægea, now
Ayash (Ajass), on the Gulf of Iskanderun in Cilicia, Asia Minor, and attained
a great reputation. They accepted no pay for their services and were,
therefore, called anargyroi, 'the silverless'. In this way they brought
many to the Christian faith. When the Diocletian persecution began, the
Prefect Lysias had Cosmas and Damian arrested, and ordered them to recant.
They remained constant under torture, in a miraculous manner suffered
no injury from water, fire, air, nor on the cross, and were finally beheaded
with the sword. Their three brothers, Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius
died as martyrs with them. The execution took place 27 September, probably
in the year 287. At a later date, a number of fables grew up about them,
connected in part with their relics. The remains of the martyrs were buried
in the city of Cyrus in Syria; the Emperor Justinian I sumptuously restored
the city in their honour in the 6th century. Having been cured of a dangerous
illness by the intercession of Cosmas and Damian, Justinian, in gratitude
for their aid, rebuilt and adorned their church at Constantinople, and
it became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. At Rome, Pope Felix IV erected
a church in their honour
in 1530,
the mosaics of which are still among the
most valuable art remains of the city.
Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of
physicians, barbers, chemical industries, druggists, and surgeons.
Place of birth: Cilicia region
Place of death Cilicia
Place of burial: Cyrrhus
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