Saints Cosmas and Damian

Martyrs

Feast Day

September 26

Life

d. 287

Born

Arabia

Cosmas and Damian, traditionally said to be twin brothers, were Arab Christians of the late third century who practiced medicine without payment and were known therefore as the Anargyroi, the silverless ones. Their cultus is securely attested from the fifth century: a great basilica was built in their honor at Cyrrhus in Syria, where their relics were translated; another, founded in their memory at Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian (527-565), became one of the chief churches of the Byzantine capital. At Rome, Pope Felix IV in 526-530 dedicated to them the basilica in the Roman Forum that still bears their names.

The earliest passiones, of uncertain historical reliability, recount that they were arrested under the Diocletian persecution and brought before the prefect Lysias at Aegae in Cilicia (modern Yumurtalik). Refusing to sacrifice, they survived attempts at execution by drowning, fire and crucifixion, and were finally beheaded with their three brothers Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius. The traditional date of their martyrdom is around 287.

Both saints are named in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), evidence of an unbroken Roman cultus from late antiquity. Their Memorial on 26 September is observed in the General Roman Calendar.