The Life of the Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cozma and Damian
Kozma and Damian were born in Asia. The exact time of their birth and death is unknown. It is believed that they lived no later than the 3rd century. They were raised by their pious and God-fearing mother Theodotia. Later, Kozma and Damian were sent to study medicine. The Lord gave them the gift of healing, which attracted many sick people to them. They never took payment from the patients whom Kozma and Damian treated, observing the commandment of the Lord:
Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).
The fame of Kozma and Damian spread throughout the area, and people called them unmercenary. They treated not only people, but also animals. One day, Kozma and Damian were called to see a seriously ill woman named Pelagia, whom all the doctors refused to treat because of her serious condition. She spent a lot of money from her estate and could not be healed by any doctor. Kozma and Damian healed the sick woman. Filled with gratitude to them and wanting them to accept at least some gift from her, Pelagia came to Damian. She brought him three eggs. But Damian refused to accept the gift. Then Pelagia, with many tears, begged him to accept this small gift in the name of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then Damian accepted the gift. Kozma, having learned about this, was upset. He thought that his brother had broken their strict vow. When the time came for Kozma to die, he bequeathed that his brother should not be buried next to him. After some time, Damian also died. People couldn't decide where Damian's grave would be. But then a miracle happened: a camel, which Kozma had once healed of rabies, appeared to the people and said in a human voice:
Men of God! The saints and saints of Christ, Cozma and Damian, enjoyed many miracles and signs from the holy and glorious saint of Christ - not just you, but also we, the beasts given to you by God for your service; In the same way, I, thanking everyone, have come to tell you, like a youth, to my servant Cozma, his secret, not to separate them from each other, but to rely on them together (Cheti-Minaion of Metropolitan Macarius, Life and miracles of the holy mercenary and unmercenary Cozma and Damian).
So the relics of the brothers were placed together in Fereman. According to legend, even after death the holy unmercenaries performed many miracles.
Miracles of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Cozma and Damian
A great many miracles were performed by Saints Cosmas and Damian. One day during the harvest, one of the inhabitants of those places went out to reap his fields. Tired, exhausted from the heat of the sun and intending to rest, he went under the oak tree, lay down and fell soundly asleep. While he was sleeping, a snake crawled through his open mouth. Having awakened, the farmer immediately did not feel any pain, so he again began to work in his field. When evening came, when the farmer came home and after dinner lay down on his bed, he felt terrible pain because the snake began to torment his insides. The patient, unable to bear the suffering, began to scream, which awakened everyone at home from sleep. The latter, approaching the patient and seeing his terrible torment, could not help; they couldn't even understand what kind of disease it was. Then the patient, having received no help from those around him, resorted to the ambulance assistants Kozma and Damian and exclaimed: “Holy doctors, Kozma and Damian, help me and have mercy on me!” The saints immediately rushed to help: the sick man fell fast asleep, and during his sleep a snake crawled out of his mouth. Those who saw this miracle were horrified and glorified the saints. When the snake crawled out, the husband immediately woke up and, with the help of the holy unmercenaries, recovered completely.
Not far from the temple of the holy doctors Cosmas and Damian, in Fereman, lived a certain man Malchus. Intending to set off on a long journey, he took his wife to the temple and told her: “Here I am leaving on a long journey, but I entrust you under the protection of Kozma and Damian: stay at home until I send you the agreed sign about myself, which you recognize as mine.” . And if God pleases, then I will send you this sign and take you to myself.” Having thus entrusted his wife to the saints, Malchus set off on his journey. After several days, the devil took the form of a certain familiar person and, coming to Malchus’ wife, showed her the sign that her husband had pointed out to her, saying: “I will send you a sign and take you to myself.” Showing her this sign, the devil ordered her to follow him to her husband. “I know this sign, but I don’t want to go, for I am entrusted to the holy unmercenaries Cozma and Damian; and if you want me to go with you to my husband, then come with me to the temple of saints, take hold of the edge of the altar and swear to me that you will not cause me any harm on the way.” The devil made such a promise and, approaching the temple with her, took hold of the edge of the altar and swore. The woman, having heard the oath, believed him, who was in the form of a familiar person, and followed him on the journey. The seducer, having taken her, led her to an empty and impenetrable place and wanted to kill her there. She, seeing herself in extreme distress, raised her eyes to heaven and cried out from the depths of her heart to God, saying: “My Lord, Saint Cosmas and Damian, help me and deliver me from this murderer of this devil; You, having believed, died in the footsteps of this destroyer Satan; Try to come to my aid and deliver me from the bloodsucker of this devil.” And immediately the ambulances appeared, the unmercenary saints Kozma and Damian. The devil, seeing them, left the woman and fled; Having risen to the high bank, he plunged into the abyss and disappeared, and the saints, taking the woman, brought her to her house. She thanked them, but did not recognize who they were. And hearing who they were, the woman fell to the ground out of fear and joy, and the saints became invisible. And the woman exclaimed, praising and thanking God and His holy saints, Kozma and Damian.
A certain young man, distraught with fright, was brought to the temple of the holy unmercenaries Cozma and Damian with the hope of healing. He spent several days and nights at the church of saints without receiving healing. After some time, his father, a pious elder, came to him. The parent's prayer was heard. His son, who until that time did not recognize his father, began to recognize him. Saints Cosmas and Damian, invisibly laying their hands on him, completely healed him and, appearing to his father, commanded him to go to his home, glorifying God.
A certain man, suffering from a disease in the lungs, which was accompanied by hemoptysis, came to the relics of the holy unmercenaries Cozma and Damian to receive healing. His illness was so severe that everyone considered him close to death, and his wife even prepared everything necessary for burial. Until this time, the patient did not believe in the power of the saints and often blasphemed against God. The saints healed him of physical and mental ailments. In a night vision, they proclaimed that anyone seeking healing should never use blasphemy and abstain from eating meat for a whole year. The sick man joyfully fulfilled the command of the holy unmercenaries. Then, by the command of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the blood flowing through the larynx stopped, the lungs became stronger, and the sick man, thanking the saints, joyfully went to his home.
A certain husband suffered from a serious illness and could not be healed. Then he called upon Saints Cosmas and Damian in his prayer, and was immediately healed. The saints also healed a sick woman.
One day a deaf-mute woman came to the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries. Having suffered from this illness for many years, she could not expect any help other than heavenly help. For a long time, persistently, with tears, she prayed to Saints Cosmas and Damian to heal her from a serious illness. Finally, her prayer was heard. The deaf-mute woman often repeated the Trisagion in her mind. Through the Trisagion, holy unmercenaries also showed a miracle. During the evening service in their church, when, according to custom, the Trisagion was sung, suddenly a deaf-mute woman heard the singers and began to sing the Trisagion with them.
One Hellene fell ill. His friends advised him to go to the temple of the holy unmercenaries Cozma and Damian. The patient obeyed. Here, seeing many sick people, many being healed, he finally became convinced of the miraculous power of the holy unmercenaries and with faith began to ask them for healing. The saints, appearing to him together, said that if the sick man believes in Christ, he will be healed. Hellin, suffering intolerable torment, came to know the True God, constantly cried out to the saints for mercy and vowed to accept the Christian faith. The saints, seeing the purity of his faith, laid their hands on him and gave him perfect deliverance. The one who was healed fulfilled his vow and received holy baptism. Returning to his home completely healthy, he with great joy told everyone about the miracles of the holy unmercenaries. Many of the listeners were moved and accepted Christianity.
A certain man was a lover of folk spectacles and suffered from a chest disease. Finding no relief in anything, he was finally forced to go to the temple of the holy unmercenaries. Saints Cosmas and Damian, seeing his zeal, had mercy on the sick man. The very next night they appeared to him and ordered him to drink one cup of resin. The patient did not fulfill their orders. The saints appeared to him a second time and added another to one cup. When he did not do this either, they appeared to him a third time and ordered him to drink three cups. Despite the illness that increased in him every day, he did not want to fulfill the commandments of the saints. Finally, they appeared to him again in a dream and with cheerful faces said: “Friend, why are you crying out to us like that? If it is unpleasant for your health to drink three bowls of resin, then pour them into one vessel and, waiting until late evening, go up the mountain with it, to the place of spectacles, and bury it there so that no one can see you. If you do this, you will receive healing.” The patient happily did everything as ordered. But everything he did was seen by one person who was late in that place. Explaining his strange act by sorcery, he, noticing the place, went and brought with him many other people. Those, having ascertained the truth of the testimony, took and presented the imaginary sorcerer to the court. They began to interrogate. He told the whole truth - they didn’t believe him. Finally, they decided that if this really was the command of the holy unmercenaries, then in the sight of everyone he should drink these three cups and receive healing. The sick man joyfully accepted the vessel, which seemed unpleasant to him, and drank it in front of everyone, and immediately received healing through the power of the holy unmercenaries; He joyfully went to their temple and, having given thanks, told everyone how the holy unmercenaries had healed him of his illness, taught him obedience, and weaned him off folk spectacles.
Saints Cosmas and Damian became famous for their many healings of people from mental and physical ailments.
Library of the Russian Faith Teaching in memory of St. miracle workers and unmercenaries Kozma and Damian. Great Menaion of Cheti →
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Unmercenary Cosmas and Damian: Asian, Roman, or Arabian?
Akathist to the Saints Without Silver and the Miracle Workers Cosmas and Damian of Asia
Kontakion 1
Chosen wonderworkers, the unmercenary of Christ and the physicians of wisdom, who give health to those who exist in illness, we will write praise to you, our intercessor and helper in sorrow: for you are vessels of the grace of existence, healing our mental and physical ulcers. In the same way, glorifying God, who is wondrous in His saints, we earnestly please you: Rejoice, Cosmo and Damian, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Ikos 1
Being jealous of the angelic residence, they despised all earthly nature, and having been crowned with the feat of non-covetousness, nature was honored with the sight of the Lord of powers. Pray for us diligently, for those who flow to you for help and cry out for praise to you: Rejoice, warm prayer books for those who honor your holy memory; Rejoice, those left by the doctors who are inexorably healing. Rejoice, for you have counted your parents’ house, property and all their acquisitions as nothing; Rejoice, poor people who have been nourished by your mercy. Rejoice, you who have consoled those suffering from compassion; Rejoice, having become like an Angel in purity and holiness. Rejoice, luminaries of the Divine light; Rejoice, heavenly people, earthly Angels. Rejoice, for Christians are a refuge without shame; Rejoice, you have exhausted your entire life, even to your last breath, in serving the Lord. Rejoice, all-bright friend of grace, vessels of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, all who call you, speedy helper. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Lord God, your good undertakings and your great zeal for piety, as if you were able to impute all the earthly and good things of this world, in the unceasing labor of love for the sake of your neighbor, you continued and naturally adorned your soul with good morals, fill you with the Holy Spirit, whose rays will illuminate you and ask us from Christ God, may we sing to Him together with you: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
With the mind of true knowledge of God, wicked people taught nature, admonishing them with the power of your words, in whose image you boldly preach Christ. We also praise your zeal and cry out to you: Rejoice, you were not caught by the enemy’s flattery; Rejoice, having confessed the truth of Christ through deeds of love. Rejoice, you who heal every disease among people; Rejoice, you who drive away evil spirits from people. Rejoice, fearless preacher of the love of God; Rejoice, zealous medical ministry. Rejoice, champions of the Orthodox faith; Rejoice, pillars of steadfastness, the spirit of love and zeal for the fulfillment of the glory of God. Rejoice, the silence of the commandments of the Lord as heralds; Rejoice, the return of the teacher of Godly wisdom. Rejoice, intercessors of the Kingdom of Christ; Rejoice, and after your death you will not leave us. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 3
By the power of the Most High, given to you, even in your temporary life you received in nature the power to miraculously heal all sorts of ailments; After your death, God especially glorified you with many miracles, so that we all flow to you, praying for healing from bodily ailments, and more than spiritual ones, and we cry out to God with a loud voice: Alleluia.
Ikos Z
Having, as a valuable treasure, your multi-healing relics, we rejoice and, singing with love the grace of healing given to you from God, we gratefully call: Rejoice, warm intercession for us to God; Rejoice, you have left your father’s Hellenic wisdom behind. Rejoice, O all-bright lamp of Asia; Rejoice, enlighteners of darkened countries. Rejoice, courage and patience of the mentor; Rejoice, two lamps, who have shone upon the earth with good deeds. Rejoice, brothers according to the flesh, your mother Theodotius in good discipline and upbringing; Rejoice, servants of God, having received crowns of victory from the Lord Christ. Rejoice, you who have shown a wondrous and beautiful image of humility and meekness to everyone; Rejoice, unshakable foundation of Orthodoxy. Rejoice, bright glory without silver; Rejoice, O goodness of the healer, who received no bribe from anyone for the healings. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 4
You were filled with a storm of confusion, Saint Damian, when you, together with Saint Cosmos, were healed of a mortal illness by a certain wife, Palladium, who, out of the abundance of a grateful heart, wanted to reward a certain gift with your gracious doctor, but you, seeing your brother renounced such an offering, secretly accepted from that wife there are three eggs, having heard that she is conjuring you by God, that you may accept these three eggs in the name of the Holy Trinity from her. For this reason, Saint Cosmas was sad, and bequeathed that after your death you will not be placed near the grave of your brother. When, after your repose, people were at a loss as to where to bury you, a certain camel said in a human voice, let them bury you near the Holy Cosmas, as you were glorified with him before God, since you did not receive three eggs for the sake of bribes, but for the name of God. Marveling at such a great miracle, people buried you along with your brother, joyfully singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard your great love for the suffering people and your wonderful healing, I rush to you from everywhere with faith in the healing grace of God acting in you; accepting speedy healing, I glorify God, you, your merciful healers, greatness, chanting to your mother: Rejoice, true God of the invincibility of the preacher; Rejoice, through the power of the Cross of Christ, to those who are ill and free of healing. Rejoice, blessed physician, quick helper to those who suffer; Rejoice, all who heal the weak and heal. Rejoice, even now healing flowing abundantly; Rejoice, mercy is a comforter in the troubles and sorrows of those who exist. Rejoice, you who protect us in all circumstances; Rejoice, saving charity for the helpless. Rejoice, glorious adornment of the righteous; Rejoice, our intercession is strong. Rejoice in diligently praying for us to God; Rejoice, to all who by faith call upon you, a speedy helper. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 5
You have truly walked the godly path, servants of Christ, when the good things of the world despised service for the sake of the sick; but you have endured everything for Christ who loved you. Also marveling at your great patience and strong love for the Lord, together with you we sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen you healed, as if by the power of Christ you were healed, you gave praise to Him. Glorifying God, we please you, His glorious saints, crying out: Rejoice, you who loved the earth above those below; Rejoice, you who are jealous of the angelic life on earth. Rejoice, for having rejected the polytheism of your parent, you did not naturally abandon your mother’s piety; Rejoice, for according to the word of the Lord, you have given all your possessions to the poor, so that you may receive Christ. Rejoice, not just in words, but even more so in deeds and unceasing prayer to God, having taught others; Rejoice, you who now show an endless source of healing. Rejoice in the outpouring of miracles given to you from God, enriching us; Rejoice, having prepared a temple for God in yourselves. Rejoice, the poor will soon be heard; Rejoice, pleasant care for the sorrowful. Rejoice, you well-known hope; Rejoice, quick healing for those who are sick. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 6
Preachers of the name of Christ were in your belly, and now you testify to His power with miracles emanating from your icon, and sometimes you did not despise the faith of a certain Palladium, but when you came to her house, they granted her healing from a mortal illness; You will hear our prayers and singing voices, about the holiness of the unmercenary! Listen to the faith and love of your people and grant us protection from above, those who praise you and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Your righteousness has risen like a light, when we were reproached by unbelievers, because we did not receive the natural gift of healings from God, I pray to the people of your city: we do not heal illnesses with magical cunning, but with the power of our Savior Jesus Christ, just as He commanded, saying: Heal the sick, lepers. cleanse, eat tuna, give tuna. Also marveling at your gracious words, we bless you with these: Rejoice, you who showed us an image of love and faith; Rejoice, you who ever enjoy the joys of heaven. Rejoice, sowers of piety in wisdom; Rejoice, glorious preacher of Orthodoxy. Rejoice, teacher, who teach to heaven; Rejoice, guardian of a pure and immaculate life, vigilant. Rejoice, warm obedience of those who pray to you; Rejoice, graceful and faithful guide to salvation. Rejoice, for those who desire the blasphemy of a mentor may live piously and godly; Rejoice, intercessors for good to all who honor your memory. Rejoice, having passed away your course well and in peace; Rejoice, you who have received crowns of righteousness from the Lord Christ. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 7
During the harvest, I wanted to give little respect to a certain husband from the heat of the sun, and when he fell soundly asleep, the serpent entered his mouth and moved into his belly. When that husband arose from sleep, he felt sickness in his womb from the torment of the serpent and began to cry out in a great voice: holy physician Cosmo and Damian, help me, and you, the saints of God, hastened to his aid and put him to sleep, and with your prayers began to drive out the serpent and, to everyone there who saw, the serpent came out of the mouth of that man, and everyone was terrified about that terrible miracle, singing with gratitude to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Wonderful prayer books for us, the healing of our souls and bodies and intercessors of eternal salvation, with a grateful heart singing a hymn of praise to God, who gave us such great miracle workers, we also bring you praise: Rejoice, having surprised the angels with your patience; Rejoice, having enlightened everything with the divine radiance of your miracles. Rejoice, speedy healer from all illnesses without remuneration; Rejoice, through your intercession the weakened are healed. Rejoice, you who rise to health from incurable diseases; Rejoice, having accomplished the earthly feat of your life worthily. Rejoice for us, naked of good deeds, ever presenting ourselves to God; Rejoice, for with the radiance of wisdom given to you by the Lord, you enlighten all the faithful. Rejoice, prayer books for us and our intercessors; Rejoice, good doctors of Christ. Rejoice, you who provide healing to everyone without compensation; Rejoice, having exposed the idolatrous madness with your miracles. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 8
Having seen your strange worldly life, let us also withdraw from this vanity and, turning our minds to heaven, we will cry out to you, saints without money: quench your illnesses, exuding grace-filled healing to everyone, zealously for your help to those who flow and cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Having fulfilled your entire life on earth with love for God and for your neighbors, the holy unmercenary Cosmo and Damian, the speedy and now helpers, appear to everyone who calls you with faith; Not only do your relics flow close to those who flow to your saints, but you also exude healing to those who exist far away. In the same way, we bring you this praise: Rejoice in the One God, glorified in the Trinity, having served faithfully; Rejoice, you who have chosen the only hedgehog for the needs of the wise. Rejoice, for in tireless labor and struggle your days and nights passed naturally without any despondency; Rejoice, for through your cramped and sorrowful life you have multiplied the glory of God in mankind. Rejoice, good followers of Christ; Rejoice, for the teachers and creators of Christ’s commandments have appeared to nature. Rejoice, for the names of the great ones in the Kingdom of Heaven were quickly named; Rejoice, having illuminated the whole world with the glory of Christ. Rejoice, for you have accepted dispassion by nature through love for your neighbors; Rejoice, for through free healing you have acquired immortality by nature. Rejoice like angels, glorified in heaven and on earth; Rejoice, for you are now about to be crowned with God. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 9
Every human nature was amazed at the radiance of the grace of God in you, Saints Cosmo and Damian, when people were wicked, having seen the miracles you performed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, you believed and glorified God. In the same way, we, who glorified Him who gave you great strength, sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The poets who have spoken many times are perplexed enough to depict the abundance of your love, which you were quickly filled with, holy saints, for people in the Lord. For this reason, from the depths of our hearts we cry to you: Rejoice in your Lord, even to death; Rejoice, for the fire of God’s love has quenched the fire of the idolatrous sacrifices. Rejoice, having loved your neighbor more than yourself; Rejoice, for the sick and sick were visited by nature. Rejoice, having anticipated the needs of the poor; Rejoice, consolation of the sad. Rejoice, desperate intercessors; Rejoice, nourisher of the orphans. Rejoice, dear helper to the suffering; Rejoice, liberators of the oppressed. Rejoice, for having finished the good course, you have ascended to Christ; Rejoice, for you are established in His Kingdom. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 10
Although there is much to save, may the Lord show us, you, His miracle workers: who will not be moved, seeing your immeasurable compassion for everyone; Who will not please you, for you not only heal people from their illnesses, but also have mercy on cattle? Do not reject our prayers either, but pour out your endlessly great and rich mercies on all of us, and let us cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Walls of nature to all who praise your miracles, O unmercenaries, and to those who come running to your intercession, walls of nature protect those who diligently call for help from all troubles. In the same way, protect us from poverty, adversity, illness and sorrow, we pray and cry out to you warmly: Rejoice, you who have surpassed adamantine strength in non-acquisitiveness; Rejoice, wonderfully victorious over the temptations of the love of money. Rejoice, glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, strengthening the weak and offended. Rejoice, strong defenders in adversity; Rejoice, enricher of the poor and the poor with all-bounty. Rejoice, feeders of those who hunger for mercy; Rejoice, for diseases and serious ailments of those possessed by wisdom are healed. Rejoice, protective warmth flowing to you with faith from all sorrowful circumstances and illnesses; Rejoice, for your memory is glorified by everyone on earth. Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven; Rejoice, for you are glorified by God. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 11
The all-contrite singing that we now offer is not enough to praise your glorious exploits and labors, which you naturally lifted up in your belly for Christ’s sake; In both cases, we boldly ask that you accept our earnest prayer, and deliver us from troubles with your prayers, so that with a tender heart we may sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
A luminous and heavenly mind was revealed to nature, when nature did not want to seek earthly glory from healing from man, but rather the glory of God in heaven. Now, through the incorruption of your relics and many miracles, you affirm Orthodoxy. We also call with gratitude: Rejoice, you who boldly preached the Hypostatic Word; Rejoice, having successfully abolished the power of idols. Rejoice, for you have put an end to the service of the demon; Rejoice, for you preached the worship of Christ. Rejoice, teacher of wisdom; Rejoice, fulfiller of all virtues and non-laziness. Rejoice, for through the labors of earth you rejoice in the villages of heaven; Rejoice, for even after your death you did not leave us. Rejoice, for you are giving quick help to everyone who calls you with faith; Rejoice, holy doctors, for you heal our illnesses. Rejoice, you who do not deny the prayers of the faithful; Rejoice, you who intercede for us unworthy at the Throne of God. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 12
The grace that the Lord God has given to you, to heal all mental and physical ailments, today gather us together, let us honor your memory, saints without silver Cosmo and Damian, reverently looking at your honorable icon and falling to it with tenderness of heart, we pray that we all be delivered from all evils and diseases, let us all sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your miracles, we praise your labors and exploits, we bless your death, honorable in the world, we honor your intercession and strong intercession for all who require your help; We magnify God, the Giver of all blessings, who has given us so many wondrous prayer books, and with tenderness we call: Rejoice, you who preached the Lord Jesus faithfully; Rejoice, the truth of His goodness is a witness. Rejoice, His presence at the Throne is warm for us; Rejoice, physician of our compassionate bodies. Rejoice, O Kingdom of Heaven and eternal good heirs; Rejoice, all our hope is in God. Rejoice, you who exude fragrant healing myrrh; Rejoice, you who overcome the stench of passions with your prayers. Rejoice, source of healings and miracles; Rejoice, light-bearing pillars of the church and taken away by the immovable. Rejoice, grapes of the true divine vine; Rejoice, thou light-like duo of wise men without money. Rejoice, Cosmo and Damiana, holy, unmercenary and glorified wonderworkers.
Kontakion 13
Oh, wonderful unmercenaries, miracle workers, healers and glorious servants of God, Cosmo and Damiana, accept this prayer of ours, offered from a contrite heart; Heal the manifold ailments of our souls and bodies and with your warm intercession ask us from Christ God for deliverance from all troubles and misfortunes, forgiveness of our sins and the good hope of eternal salvation, so that we may be worthy with you and with all the saints to sing to God our Savior forever and ever: Alleluia . This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “To the Angelic Residence...” and the 1st kontakion “The Chosen Wonderworkers...”.
Prayer
Oh, wonderworkers of glory, physicians of mercilessness, Cosmo and Damian! From your youth you have loved Christ God and kept His commandments with all your heart, even if you have given yourself medical teachings, but virtuous ones for the sake of living and purity of soul, by the power of Christ God, not only the art of healing, but moreover the inexhaustible grace of healing all kinds of incurable ailments, you have received from God by nature. Because of your love and mercy for those who struggle with illnesses, you give healing of illnesses not only to people, but also to cattle, you fill the whole world with your countless miracles, and not only do you heal bodily ailments, but you also enlighten souls with the faith of Christ, strengthen them in the patience of illnesses, and strengthen them in serious illnesses. By correcting your life you admonish people and draw them to Christ through repentance. In the same way, now you will soon hear us, who fall before you before your honorable icon. Young children, asking for your help in the teaching of the book, instruct them with your prayers, so that they will zealously, not just earthly, acquire teaching in your life, but, moreover, may they continually advance in piety and right faith. To those lying on their sick beds, desperate for human help, but to those who come running to you with warmth with faith and fervent prayer, grant healing of illnesses through your merciful, miraculous visit. Many times in illness and from severe illnesses you fall into despondency, cowardice and murmuring, strengthen and instruct with the grace given to you from God in patience, and instruct them, so that they understand God’s holy and perfect will for them, and they commend themselves and their lives to the will of Christ God. Crush those who are ill, who are careless about correcting their lives, who do not repent of their sins, who are hardened in heart, for salvation and call to repentance, so that those who are weak in body, may remain healthy in soul, and become partakers of God’s saving grace. Save the brethren of this holy temple, entrusted to your holy intercession by God, and all those who diligently come running to you unharmed from long illness, from severe and incurable diseases, from weakening of the body, from frenzy of mind, from deadly ulcers, from sudden death, and through your powerful intercession to Keep those who are strong in the right faith, those who advance in piety, those who are zealous in good deeds, and those who are diligent in prayer to God, so that together with you in the future they will be worthy to sing and glorify the all-holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Veneration of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Cozma and Damian. Troparion, Kontakion and Canon of Saints
In Rus', the unmercenary saints Kozma and Damian (Asian) were primarily considered the patrons of student children. People resorted to them with prayer when teaching them to read and write, so that they would strengthen the children’s still weak strength and help them to develop correctly.
In the Chetyaminaia of Metropolitan Macarius there is a teaching in memory of the unmercenary saints Cozma and Damian, in which the theme is chosen from the daily Gospel: “ What a teacher should be .” In its development there are such expressions:
The holy teachers healed the body with miracles and the soul with teaching. They come to them for miracles, and they come for teaching. Nothing more befits a teacher than humility and non-acquisitiveness.
Troparion, tone 8
The holy unmercenary and miracle worker Cosmo and Damiana will visit us in our illnesses, tuna priyasta, tuna and dadita.
Kontakion, tone 2
Grace, having received healing, extends health to those in need, a glorious doctor and wonderworker. But with a visit and the adversary of vacillation, I overthrew the world, healing miracles.
Library of the Russian Faith Canon to the Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Kozma and Damian →
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What do Cosmas and Damian pray for?
The brothers were doctors during their lifetime and are now revered as healers. The prayer to the saints is read during various illnesses: colds, chronic diseases, tumors, ulcers. Prayer to healers will help you get rid of drug and alcohol addiction.
The prayer addressed to Kosma and Demian has great power, so its reading should be taken seriously and only with pure thoughts.
Saints help all people who turn to them, protect them and support them. Since the brothers led a chaste and righteous lifestyle, they often help with discord in the family and protect against betrayal.
The Holy Face also helps to preserve the health of livestock, create strong marriage bonds, get rid of sorrows, free the soul from despondency, and protect against sudden death and illness.
Iconographic images of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Cozma and Damian
Particularly widespread is the paired iconography of the holy wonderworkers and the unmercenary icon of Cozma and Damian , where Cozma is depicted on the left and Damian on the right. Saint Cosmas is dressed in a long tunic with narrow sleeves, over which is a short chiton with wide sleeves, on top is a himation draping his left shoulder, and boots on his feet. The head is bare, the hair is short, sometimes with receding patches.
Saints Cosmas and Damian. First half of the 15th century Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrey Rublev, Moscow
In the iconographic originals about the iconography of Cozma and Damian of Assia it is said: “both have equal arms, feathers are held in their right hands, and the vessels in their left are open, with vohra boots on their feet.” The holy unmercenary brothers are depicted as medievalists, with small thick beards, smooth hair with receding hairlines, their attributes are medicine spoons (or feathers).
In Byzantine and Old Russian art, the miracle-working saints Cosmas and Damian are often found in monumental paintings or as part of groups of selected saints. In monumental art, the oldest image is a mosaic from the late 4th century from the Church of St. George in Thessaloniki.
Saints unmercenary Cozma and Damian. End of IV - third quarter of V centuries. Church of St. George (Rotunda), Thessaloniki, Greece. Mosaic in the dome
The most famous are the 6th century mosaic images from the temple of the unmercenary saints Cosmas and Damian in Rome (formerly the “Library of the World”). Among the selected saints, the wonderworkers Cozma and Damian are found in the St. Sophia Cathedral of Kyiv, in the paintings of Dionysius in the Ferapontov Monastery.
The so-called Filofeevskaya Stavroteka, which dates back to the 12th century, is known. The stavroteka (storage for the cross) has a rectangular shape in the form of a small box, with traces of a lost sliding lid and a cross-shaped recess, decorated with chased silver plates mounted on a wooden base. On the sides of the cross-shaped recess below are full-length figures: on the left - St. Cosmas, on the right - St. Damian. At the top, in medallions, are chest-to-chest images: on the left - St. Cyrus, on the right - the Great Martyr Panteleimon. The background is decorated with ornaments. Along the margin, around the lid, there is a Greek inscription, which states that “the reliquary was made with love by John.” On the side walls there is a floral ornament of vertically arranged palmettes in closed circles. There is a loop at the top. There are parts of fasteners on the margins. According to legend, the stavroteka is attributed to Patriarch Philotheus and was brought by Metropolitan Alexy in 1354 from Constantinople.
Filofeevskaya Stavroteka. Saints Cyrus, Cosmas and Damian, Great Martyr Panteleimon. XII century Moscow Kremlin Museums, Moscow
Saints Cosmas and Damian. Pogodinsky prologue. Novgorod. Second half of the 14th century. St. Petersburg, Russian National Library
Holy miracle worker and unmercenary Damian. End of the 15th century Russian Museum
Saints Cosmas, Damian, Jacob of Persia. Double-sided tablet icon, Novgorod. End of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries.
Jacob, brother of God, Cosmas and Damian. Novgorod, second quarter of the 16th century. Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrey Rublev, Moscow
One of the images of Saints Cosmas and Damian is a carved bone on a wooden base covered with silver basma. The back side is covered with silk fabric. Saints Cosmas and Damian, standing upright, are represented as healers, with caskets and medical instruments in their hands.
Saints Cosmas and Damian. 1569 St. Petersburg, State Russian Museum
Orthodox Life
The names of the unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian are familiar to many Orthodox Christians. But what if there were several pairs of such saints, to which of them do we then pray? Let's figure it out.
If we open the church calendar, we will see that July 14 commemorates the unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, who suffered in Rome, where the year of their death is also indicated - 284. But somehow I became interested in the question of what saints we venerate on other days. So, by the way, on October 30 the Church honors the unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Arabia (287) and on November 14 – the unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Asia (III century). At the very least, it seemed strange to me that the three couples were unmercenary people of the same name and all died at about the same time. In addition, if we open the lives, we will see that they were all involved in healing the sick, and in the Roman and Asian versions the brothers’ mother was called Fedota.
The first thought that comes to mind in this case is that these are just different editions of the biography of the same unmercenaries, simply due to their popularity among the people, slightly different versions of the hagiographic description have been formed. But in fact, if you rely specifically on the church calendar, you can clearly see the division into three different pairs of saints of the same name. There is also a third opinion - the most reliable is the existence of one option, and the rest are legendary stories. Let this information not confuse anyone, because one thousand seven hundred years have passed since their death, and the lives of the ascetics of piety are not Holy Scripture; numerous errors, myths and confusions can indeed creep into them. Sometimes legendarization occurs intentionally, because hagiographic literature is one of the genres that owes its appearance to certain goals and objectives, such as, for example, attracting the attention of pagans, for whom tales of miracles are a means of drawing attention to Christianity. If you like, this is a missionary technique that does not work now, but had its power in the past.
Let's go back to the unmercenaries themselves. Let us immediately note that historical evidence of the existence of saints has not been preserved at all, but this does not mean that their personalities are complete fiction. In no case should we ignore the rather ancient church honor, which could not have arisen out of nowhere. The legend about the brothers Cosmas and Damian was formed in an extremely complex manner, and there is every reason to assume that initially it was about one pair of saints, whose veneration was gradually divided into three traditions. Researchers of the 17th century (for example, the German theologian Heinrich Wangnerek) adhered to this exact opinion. When several new manuscripts of the lives of Cosmas and Damian were discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century, the version of one pair of saints gained new confirmation in its favor.
So, as a rule, various researchers conclude that the original was either the Asian or Arabian versions. The first is supported by the largest number of surviving manuscripts and the antiquity of its origin. Also, this tradition, in its content, is closest to the Byzantine and Middle Eastern hagiographic model. It is extremely difficult to establish the time of the appearance of the Arabian version, but it preserves the signs of acts of martyrdom as sources that formed the basis of the lives of the saints. Let us recall that, according to the Asian version, the brothers Cosmas and Damian died a natural death, and in the Arabian version they suffered martyrdom during the Great Persecution of Emperor Diocletian. The Roman tradition appeared a little later - between the 4th and 6th centuries.
As was said, additional evidence of the reality of the unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian is the widespread prevalence of their veneration already in the 6th century. Thus, their names by that time were already known in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Italy and Gaul. Moreover, back in the first half of the 5th century, Bl. Theodoret of Cyrus in his letters reveals some places of worship of saints, and also that in Cyrus itself there was a basilica in honor of the unmercenaries, which his opponents tried to set on fire. Another temple of Cosmas and Damian was built in Edessa in 457. Further, in the 5th–6th centuries, the practice of erecting churches in honor of unmercenaries became quite common. It cannot be said that Constantinople is gradually becoming the center of veneration for the holy brothers, where the basilica dedicated to them gave the name to the surrounding city area - Cosmidion.
The tradition of honoring three different couples was finally formed only in the 9th century. It is mentioned by the holy Patriarch Methodius, as well as the Minology of Basil II - the oldest hagiographic collection. According to different days of veneration, the temples dedicated to them were also divided. If we turn to the Syriac, Coptic, Alexandrian and Jerusalem calendars, then, in addition to the mentioned dates, we will find many more options. In the modern Greek Church, like ours, there are three days of veneration of Cosmas and Damian, but July 14 is still considered the main one. It is also worth mentioning that in Georgia, in the village of Amashuketi (Kharagauli municipality - the center of the state), there is a temple in honor of the holy unmercenaries, the foundation of the throne of which dates back to the 4th century. From quite ancient times and to this day, there has been a custom for childless spouses to make a pilgrimage to this temple and pray for deliverance from infertility.
Considering the above, quite naturally, the question should arise: why are all three traditions still revered in our calendars? The fact is that by the time Rus' adopted Christianity, these versions of lives had already been formed. “Young” Christians, represented by our distant ancestors, were extremely limited in their ability to work with Greek-language sources, and therefore simply adopted and recorded what already existed. I think it’s no secret to anyone that neither in the 10th, nor in the 11th, nor in the 12th, nor in subsequent centuries did Rus' have its own theological or historical research schools, and the analysis of biographical tradition is not a problem of paramount importance. Today, the process of revising and systematizing hagiographic literature and the calendar is hardly really needed. This work is quite complex, someone will need to carry it out, and this, as we understand, also requires material costs. But the purpose of such an enterprise is very vague and ambiguous. There is nothing reprehensible in the fact that the Church commemorates Saints Cosmas and Damian three times a year, albeit in different versions of their biographical information.
It seems to me that the most important thing is to look not at what divides, but at what unites. All three traditions tell us: the unmercenaries were doctors and did not take payment for their work. Just think about how important this is and what an example this is for a modern person literally focused on making a profit. Their ideal may seem unattainable to us, but from the example of their lives we know for sure that it’s not the money that’s important, it’s the person.
Temples in Rus' in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian
In 1383 in Pskov, on Gremyachaya Mountain, a church was built in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian. For a long time there was a monastery here, and in it there is the Church of Cosmas and Damian, built in stone in 1383. In 1540, after a fire, it was significantly rebuilt. In 1764, the Gremyatsky Monastery was abolished, and the church was converted into a parish and assigned to the Peter and Paul Cathedral. In terms of architectural forms, this is a medium-sized monument, single-domed, three-apsed, with typical facade decoration (wide blades, lobed arches, roller arcature, “curb-runner-curb”).
Church of Kozma and Damian of the former Gremyatsky monastery. Pskov
The Pskov Church of Cozma and Damian from Primostye, built in 1463, is also famous. The temple and its surroundings were restored and rebuilt. This is a large, single-domed, three-apse temple with an eight-slope roof.
Church of Cozma and Damian from Primostje. Pskov
In Moscow, in Starye Kuznetsy, there was a church of Kozma and Damian. It was located in Zayauzye, in Kuznetskaya Sloboda, near the intersection of Goncharnaya Street and 3rd Kotelnichesky Lane. The parishioners of the temple were blacksmiths and armor smiths, who considered Saints Cosmas and Damian their patrons. At the end of the 15th century, in this area there was a village of the boyar Prince Ivan Yuryevich Patrikeev, in whose charter dated 1498 the Kozmodamian Monastery was first mentioned, which was later abolished. The monastery church was rebuilt in stone in the 16th century, and in 1657 the chapel of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, was added to it. In 1745, a new bell tower was erected. The church changed its appearance in 1769–1770, 1855, 1863–1869 and 1899. In 1936, the church was demolished, and in its place in the 1950s. built a multi-storey residential building.
Church of Kozma and Damian in Starye Kuznetsy (Moscow)
In Moscow, in Starye Panekh (Staropasky Lane, building No. 2-4), a temple was consecrated in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian. It was first mentioned in 1468. The temple received its name “in Starye Panech” from the nearby Polish “Panskiy Dvor”, known here since 1508. The temple was rebuilt in stone in 1564, and may have preserved fragments of the original building. According to legend, Ivan IV married his sixth wife Vasilisa Melentyeva in this temple. Initially, the temple was crowned with five domes mounted on a double-height quadrangle of the main volume. In the 17th century The church became a suburb for the patriarchal singers who settled in this area. In 1640, the Assumption Church was added to the church from the north. In 1803, the temple was heavily rebuilt in the style of classicism. In 1929, the temple was closed and the refectory and bell tower were destroyed. In the 1960-1980s. the traffic control department was located here. In 1993 it was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church community. Worship services resumed in 1995.
Church of Kozma and Damian in Starye Paneh (Moscow)
In honor of Saints Cosma and Damian, a temple in Murom was consecrated on December 5, 1564. Construction of the temple began after the capture of Kazan. The surviving part of the church is very simple in its form. It consists of a low square quadrangle and a semicircular apse. The building is low, one-story, but under the altar there is a basement, which is covered on top with vaults with strippings and was used in ancient times, apparently, as a crypt for the burial of the dead.
Church of Kozma and Damian in Murom
Old Believer churches in honor of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Kozma and Damian
A temple in honor of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Cozma and Damian exists in the village. Belaya Krinitsa, Chernivtsi region. First built at the end of the 18th century, the church underwent reconstruction throughout the 19th century, during which it acquired its current appearance. It has the features of typical Bukovinian temple architecture: a square porch and nave with side extensions and a semicircular altar part. The main volume of the church is built of brick, the top is wooden. From the west, a three-tier square wooden bell tower rises above the vestibule, an octagonal dome on a quadrangle above the nave, and small octagonal baths above the altar and vestibule. All the tops of the church are crowned with small onion-shaped domes. The walls of the church are surrounded by a frieze with small rectangular niches; the windows have an arched appearance. The temple in the name of Saints Cosmas and Damian is included in the monastery temple complex along with the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Old Believer Church in honor of the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Kozma and Damian
Also, the Russian Orthodox Church Church in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian is located in the city of Suzdal, Vladimir region.
The Russian Orthodox Church Church in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian is located in Suzdal, Vladimir region
In Orenburg, the RDC Church was consecrated in honor of Saints Cozma and Damian.
Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Orenburg
Saints Cosmas and Damian in art
In addition to icon painting, the holy wonderworkers and unmercenaries Cozma and Damian were depicted in paintings by world masters, as well as in monumental art.
Saints Cosmas and Damian undergo a leg transplant. Los Balbases, dated 16th century. London, University Library
Burial of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Fra Angelico (1438-1440. Part of the great altar. Church of San Marco. Florence. Italy
Memorial plaque to Kozma and Damian in Budapest
Prayer to the Holy Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian of Asia
“To you, holy without silver and miracle workers Cosmo and Damiana, as to a quick assistant and a warm prayer book for our salvation, we unworthy, on bended knee, run and, falling, earnestly cry out: do not despise the prayers of us vicious, helpless, fallen into many iniquities and all the days and hours of those who sin. Pray to the Lord to add to us, His unworthy servant, His great and rich mercy, free us from all sorrow and illness, for you have naturally received from the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the infinite grace of healing, for the sake of the hard faith of free healing and your suffering death. Again, we fall, we diligently pray: ask us from the Lord for all that is beneficial, even in our temporary tummy, and especially for endless salvation, that we may be worthy through your prayers to achieve a Christian death, painless, shameless, peaceful, and may we get rid of the machinations of the devil and eternal torment , we will be heirs to the endless and blessed Kingdom of Heaven. To her, pleasers of God, do not stop praying for us, who flow to you with faith, even though due to the enormous number of our sins we are not worthy of your mercy, but you, faithful imitators of God’s love for mankind, create, so that we may bear fruits worthy of repentance and in the never-ending We will achieve peace by praising and blessing the wondrous in the holy Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and His Most Pure Mother, and your warm intercession, constantly, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amnn.”
