My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

ON NOVEMBER FIRST OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY UNMERCENARY HEALERS (PHYSICIANS) MIRACLE-WORKERS COSMAS AND DAMIANOS (DAMIAN)

Saints Cosmas and Damianos (Damian), the siblings and holy martyrs, known as the holy unmercenaries (anargyroi), were from Asia. They were the sons of a certain pious woman named Theodote. They were skilled in the medical arts but received their gift of healing from Christ. They ministered free of charge to their patients, fulfilling the Gospel command: "Freely ye received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). The Holy Church also commemorates two other sets of holy unmercenaries, who share the names of Kosmas and Damianos. We differentiate them by provenance. The second pair, commemorate on the 1st of July, lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Carinus (283-285 A.D.), whom they converted. They also met a martyric end by stoning. The third pair, hailing from Arabia, commemorated on the 17th of October, lived during the time of Diocletian and Maximian (292 A.D.). Together with three other brothers, Leontios, Anthimos, and Evtropios (or Evprepios), they were cast into the seas, thrown into a blazing furnace, and nailed to a cross, before they were finally beheaded in Lycia.

We now need to speak of Saints Kosmas and Damianos (Damian) of Asia. As a preface to their inspiring lives, we beseech the blessed Christians to give heed and not neglect the gift of grace that is in each of us. Let us meditate upon God's precepts and statutes, for the mind of man is not without movement. Let us mediate on those subjects which bear good fruit, life, and salvation as the divine David says: "If Thy law had not been my meditation, then should I have perished in my humiliation" (Psalm 118:92). For this cause it is always to our benefit to be contemplating what is good and reading the Holy Scripture and the Lives of the Saints, because even Christ said, "Keep on searching the Scripture, for in them ye think to have eternal life; and these are they which testify concerning Me" (John 5:39).

Kosmas and Damianos (Damian) of Asia were called unmercenaries (anargyroi), because they healed the sick without receiving any payment, whether it be money or gifts, for their labors. The brothers were scions of a well-to-do family. Their father had been a Greek pagan, but later, after he begat Kosmas and Damianos, he denied vile idolatry and embraced Christianity. He managed his life in a virtuous, prudent, and sober manner. Not much time passed, however, before he surrendered his soul to his Creator. He consigned his two boys to divine succor and assistance and the protection of their mother. Their mother Theodote, had been a Christian from girlhood. Being left a widow, she diligently pursued the rearing and education of her sons, though more so toward piety and reverence. She also was a woman of uncommon excellence and was a model of womanly virtue to all those in the neighborhood. Her sons applied themselves conscientiously to the study of medicine, and they learned their art exceedingly well. After they had finished their studies, they immediately commenced their philanthropic work. Their primary treatment was not the curing of bodies as much as the healing of souls, by preaching in every place and at all times the name of the Christ.

Conducting their lives in this manner, the holy physicians were vouchsafed apostolic gifts of grace; for they also received the gift of healing, given by Jesus Christ to His Holy Apostles to cure every kind of sickness. This means that, without herbs, plasters, and other therapeutic treatments, they cured every illness by the grace of the All-Holy Spirit. How can one describe the brothers' humility, poverty, philanthropy, and other virtues which they possessed even as Christ's Apostles? Their humility was such that they personally treated every patient's wounds. Their poverty was so profound that they possessed neither money, nor a second garment, nor even a bag for the road. The people did not address them by their first names, Kosmas and Damianos, but "unmercenaries" and thus the surname designated both them and their class. Their home was the site of the new sheep pool or Bethesda (John 5:2), which surpassed that one of old. Their clinic was open daily, and many witnessed cures each day upon the stretching forth of the healing hands of the wise physicians Kosmas and Damianos. Their almsgiving and love for all was of such a degree that they even cured irrational beasts (animals).

The brothers shared a single character and soul in their faith, fasting, and works. They were like-minded in disdaining the corruptible things of the world, rejecting the enjoyment of pleasures, and preserving their chastity. Dead to the things of this world, they cut off the sickness of avarice. They were more like inhabitants of heaven, though they dwelt in the flesh. The saints, indeed, were accounted worthy of such grace from God as to heal every illness. They, however, did not attribute the restoration of their patient's health to their skill or art, but instead named the source of the remedy openly: the grace of God.

At that time there was a woman named Palladia who was sorely afflicted and bedridden, so that for many years she had been unable to move from her place. She invited the holy unmercenaries to her bedside. Straightway, as they entered her house, she was healed and suffered no trace of the ill-effects or handicaps of her prolonged illness.

The Saints were walking about, as mentioned earlier, furnishing their services and benefits in abundance to the people. They arrived at Phereman, a village of Asia Minor, where Saint Damianos took ill. It was God's will that the younger brother first depart and take his rest from the corrupt and perishing things of this world and go to those incorruptible and good things of Paradise. Thus, Saint Damianos reposed in the Lord and surrendered his holy soul which was translated by radiant Angels. His honorable relics were laid to rest by Saint Kosmas and many other Christians there at Phereman. Not many days passed, however, before Saint Kosmas also feel asleep in the Lord.

Even after the death of the holy unmercenaries miracles and healings continued. We now conclude our account of the miracles of the ever-memorable twain, Kosmas and Damianos though there are countless others, blessed Christians; nevertheless, we have recounted what is sufficient for this work. Let us, also, have recourse to them and hasten to them with faith and love. They made themselves wholly the abode of the Holy Trinity. Even to this day they pour forth torrents of healing. Their very names drive away infirmities. Thus we entreat the holy unmercenaries to drive away the dark passions and impart healing of soul and body to those who are grievously ailing. "For as most excellent physicians," chants Saint John of Damascus, "in a mystical manner, they practice their art of surgery, dispensing medicines for salvation, and treating every malady, by drawing upon the divine treasury, while hymning to the most glorious God. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George