Sts. Cosmas & Damian

Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers born in Arabia. They were doctors practicing in Cilicia, Asia Minor. Because of their Christian charity, they took no pay for their services and were nicknamed the “silverless.” Many were converted by their example. They were arrested during the Diocletian persecution and refused to renounce their faith though relentlessly tortured and were eventually beheaded on September 27, most likely in 287. Their brothers Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius died with them. Their names are included in the Roman Canon and the Litany of the Saints. They are the patrons of physicians and Pope Felix IV (526-530) erected a church in their honor in Rome.