Sts. Cosmas and Damian

Sts. Cosmas and Damian were, according to ancient tradition, twin brothers born in Arabia who studied the science of medicine in Syria and became renowned physicians. Moved by Christian charity, they treated the sick without ever accepting payment, earning them in the Greek Church the title Anargyroi, "the moneyless ones," and drawing many to the faith both by their skill and by their evident holiness.

During the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, around the year 287, they were arrested at Cyrrhus in Syria for their faith, and after suffering various torments they were put to death, together, it is said, with three younger brothers. So great was the devotion to these martyr-physicians that churches were raised in their honor across the Christian world and their names were inscribed in the Roman Canon of the Mass. They are venerated as patrons of physicians, surgeons, and pharmacists, and the Church keeps their memory on 26 September.