View source for Saint Cosmas and Damian

{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Cosmas and Damian
|SaintStage=Saint
|FeastDay=26 September (Catholic); 17 November or 1 July (Orthodox)
|SaintBirthPlace=Arabia (modern-day Syria or Saudi Arabia)
|DeathPlace=Cyrrhus, Syria
|SaintDeathCoordinates=36.6333, 38.9833
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Martyrdom by beheading
|NotableAddress1=Cilicia, Turkey
|NotableCoordinates1=36.8167, 34.6333
|NotableAddress2=Rome, Italy
|NotableCoordinates2=41.9028, 12.4964
|Beatifier=Not applicable
|BeatificationLocation=Not applicable
|Canonized=No
|Canonizer=Not applicable
|CanonizationLocation=Not applicable
|SaintMiracle1=Healing of a woman with hemorrhage, 4th century
|SaintMiracle2=Posthumous healing at Cyrrhus shrine, 4th century
|SaintMiracle3=None recorded
|Profession=Physicians
|ReligiousAffiliation=None
|Patronage=Physicians; Surgeons; Pharmacists; Twins
|Attributes=Medical tools, palm branch, medicine box
|PrimaryShrine=Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Rome, Italy
|AdditionalVeneration=Orthodox Church; Oriental Orthodox Church
}}
'''Saint Damian''' and his twin brother '''Saint Cosmas''' (died c. 287 or 303) were [[Saints|Christian saints]], physicians, and martyrs, revered as the patron saints of doctors and pharmacists. Born in Arabia (likely modern-day Syria or Saudi Arabia) to Christian parents, possibly named Theodota, they studied medicine in Syria and practiced as “unmercenary physicians,” healing without charge in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey). Martyred during the Diocletian persecution, they were tortured and beheaded in Cyrrhus, Syria, for their faith. Their veneration began soon after their deaths, with miracles attributed to their intercession. Never formally canonized due to their early martyrdom, they were recognized as saints by popular acclaim and Church tradition, a common practice before formalized processes. Their relics are venerated in Cyrrhus, Rome, and Munich, and they are honored in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]], and Oriental Orthodox traditions.<ref name="web0">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saints_Cosmas_and_Damian</ref><ref name="web2">https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=108</ref><ref name="web5">https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04398a.htm</ref>

Saint Damian and Cosmas’s selfless healing and martyrdom made them exemplars of Christian charity, inspiring devotion among medical professionals and the sick. Their miracles, including posthumous healings at their shrines, fueled their cult. Celebrated on their feast day, 26 September in the Catholic Church (17 November or 1 July in Orthodox traditions), they are patrons of physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, and twins. Their legacy thrives in the [[Diocese|Diocese of Antioch]] and beyond, with shrines like the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Rome drawing pilgrims.<ref name="web3">https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-cosmas-and-damian/</ref><ref name="web8">https://catholicsaintmedals.com/saints/sts-cosmas-and-damian/</ref>



==Biography==

===Birth===
Saint Damian and his twin brother Saint Cosmas were born in Arabia (likely modern-day Syria or Saudi Arabia) in the late 3rd century, to Christian parents, possibly named Theodota.<ref name="web0"/> Their exact birth date and coordinates are unknown, as early hagiographies lack precision. Raised in a Christian household, possibly in the [[Diocese|Diocese of Antioch]], they were steeped in faith from childhood.<ref name="web5"/>

Arabia’s Christian communities, influenced by Syrian evangelization, shaped their piety. Their twin bond and medical training set the foundation for their shared mission.<ref name="web2"/>

===Early Life===
Saint Damian and Cosmas’s early life is sparsely documented, rooted in Syrian Christian tradition.<ref name="web0"/> They studied medicine, likely in Antioch or Damascus, mastering healing arts. Moving to Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), they practiced as physicians, refusing payment and earning the title “unmercenary physicians.” Their charity drew converts, spreading Christianity in a pagan region.

Their faith, nurtured by their mother, remained steadfast amid growing anti-Christian tensions under Emperor Diocletian. Their medical skill and generosity defined their early ministry.<ref name="web3"/><ref name="web12">https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/sts-cosmas-and-damian-676</ref>

===Occupation===
Saint Damian and Cosmas’s primary occupation was as physicians in Cilicia, serving the poor without charge.<ref name="web0"/> Their practice combined medical expertise with Christian charity, treating physical and spiritual ailments. Known as “anargyroi” (unmercenaries), they healed Jews, pagans, and Christians alike, using their profession to evangelize.

Their work attracted persecution during Diocletian’s reign (284–305), leading to their arrest in Cyrrhus, Syria. Their occupation culminated in martyrdom, solidifying their legacy as healers.<ref name="web5"/><ref name="web8"/>

===Vocation===
Saint Damian and Cosmas’s religious vocation was rooted in their Christian call to serve God through healing and charity.<ref name="web3"/> As laymen, they saw medicine as a ministry, reflecting Christ’s compassion. Their refusal to accept payment embodied Gospel poverty, drawing many to faith during a time of persecution.

Their vocation peaked in martyrdom, as they refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, enduring torture and death. Their sacrifice inspired early Christian devotion, particularly among physicians.<ref name="web2"/><ref name="web15">https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/26/saints-of-the-day-26-september-saints-cosmas-and-damian-died-c-286-martyrs/</ref>

===Death===
Saint Damian and Cosmas died around 287 or 303 in Cyrrhus, Syria, through martyrdom by beheading.<ref name="web0"/> Arrested during the Diocletian persecution, they were tortured—crucified, stoned, and shot with arrows—yet miraculously survived until beheaded. Death dates vary (287 per web:3, 12; 303 per web:0, 2, 5, 8; post:0, 5), but c. 287 or 303 is standard due to persecution timelines.<ref name="web5"/>

Their relics were enshrined in Cyrrhus, later transferred to Rome and Munich. Their martyrdom galvanized devotion in the [[Diocese|Diocese of Antioch]], spreading across Christendom.<ref name="web8"/><ref name="web9">https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cosmas_and_Damian</ref>

==Significant events==
* Studied medicine in Syria, late 3rd century.<ref name="web0"/>
* Practiced as unmercenary physicians in Cilicia, c. 280s.<ref name="web3"/>
* Martyred in Cyrrhus, Syria, c. 287 or 303.<ref name="web2"/>
* Basilica dedicated in Rome, 6th century.<ref name="web5"/>
==Significant locations==
{{SaintMapSimple}}

==Parishes==

{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Cosmas and Damian|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Cosmas and Damian}}

==Canonization==

===Servant of God===
As early Christian martyrs, Saint Damian and Cosmas were not designated [[Saints|Servants of God]], a modern canonization stage.<ref name="web0"/> Their sainthood was recognized by popular acclaim and Church tradition, common before formalized processes began in the 10th century.

===Venerable===
Saint Damian and Cosmas were not declared [[Saints|Venerable]], as this stage applies to post-medieval candidates.<ref name="web5"/> Their veneration arose from martyrdom and miracles, bypassing formal review.

===Beatification===
Saint Damian and Cosmas were not beatified, as beatification was not a distinct step in their era.<ref name="web2"/> Their martyrdom and early miracles ensured immediate veneration as saints.

===Canonization===
Saint Damian and Cosmas were not formally canonized, as their sainthood predates the Church’s canonization process.<ref name="web0"/> Recognized by tradition after their martyrdom (c. 287 or 303), their cult was affirmed by shrines and liturgical inclusion, with no canonization date or location. Their veneration is universal.<ref name="web8"/>

==Miracles==

===Miracle for beatification===
No beatification miracle applies to Saint Damian and Cosmas, as they were not beatified.<ref name="web2"/> Their martyrdom and posthumous miracles, such as healing a woman with a hemorrhage in the 4th century, sufficed for veneration.<ref name="web5"/>

===Miracle for canonization===
No canonization miracle applies, as Saint Damian and Cosmas were not formally canonized.<ref name="web0"/> Early miracles, like healings at their Cyrrhus shrine in the 4th century, underpinned their sainthood. Anecdotal healings continue to be reported (post:2).<ref name="web9"/><ref name="post2"/>

===Other notable miracles===
* Healing a woman with a hemorrhage at their shrine, 4th century.<ref name="web5"/>
* Posthumous healings at Cyrrhus and Rome shrines, 4th–5th centuries.<ref name="web9"/>
* Anecdotal medical recoveries attributed by devotees, unverified (post:2, 5).<ref name="post2"/>

==Patronage==
Saint Damian and Cosmas are the patron saints of physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, and twins, reflecting their medical ministry and twinship.<ref name="web3"/><ref name="web8"/>

==Feast day==
Saint Damian and Cosmas’s feast day is celebrated on 26 September in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] calendar, shifted from 27 September post-Vatican II to avoid clashing with Saint Vincent de Paul. In the [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition, it is 17 November or 1 July, depending on regional calendars (web:0, 9; post:0, 6). The Catholic date is standard for this article.<ref name="web0"/><ref name="post0"/>

==Veneration==
Saint Damian and Cosmas are venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Rome and other shrines.<ref name="web8"/> Their feast, 26 September, features Masses, especially among medical communities. Icons depict them with medical tools, a palm branch, or medicine box, symbolizing healing and martyrdom (post:2).<ref name="post2"/>

Their cult is universal, with shrines in Cyrrhus, Rome, and Munich. Devotion is strong among doctors and pharmacists, as noted by devotees (post:5), and their legacy endures in the [[Diocese|Diocese of Antioch]].<ref name="web9"/><ref name="post5"/>

==Books==

==Written about the saint==
* [https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Saints-Butler-Vol-I/dp/0870610465 Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Vol. I] – Includes a biography of Saints Cosmas and Damian, detailing their martyrdom.
* [https://www.amazon.com/Physician-Saints-Cosmas-Damian-Tradition/dp/0895551497 Physician Saints: Cosmas and Damian in Tradition by John J. Crawley] – A study of their legacy.<ref name="web17"/>

==Written by the saint==
* No known writings by Saint Damian and Cosmas are preserved, as their legacy relies on hagiography and martyrdom accounts.<ref name="web0"/>

==External links==
* [https://catholicsaints.info/saints-cosmas-and-damian/ CatholicSaints.Info: Saints Cosmas and Damian]
* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=108 Catholic.org: Sts. Cosmas and Damian]
* [https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-cosmas-and-damian/ FranciscanMedia.org: Saints Cosmas and Damian]
* [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cosmas_and_Damian OrthodoxWiki.org: Cosmas and Damian]

==References==
{{Reflist}}