Today, 27 September, is the feast of...
Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (?): Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers who
studied sciences in Syria and became eminent for their skill in
medicine. Venerated as 'moneyless ones', because they did not charge
their patients (rarissimae aves!!!).
*Butler's Lives of the Saints* (the ususal source of information for the
saint postings) does not give any indication about the dates of
Cosmas and Damian. The *Catholic Encyclopedia* provides the following
info:
The execution took place 27 September, probably in the year 287. At a
later date a number of fables grew up about them, connected in part with
their relics. The remains of the martyrs were buried in the city of
Cyrus in Syria: the emperor Justinian I (527-565) sumptuously restored
the city in their honour. Having been cured of a dangerous illness by
the intercession of Cosmas and Damian, Justinian in gratitude for their
aid rebuilt and adorned their church at Constantinople, and it became a
celebrated place for pilgrimage. At Rome Pope Felix IV (526-530) erected
a church in their honour, the mosaics of which are still among the most
valuable art-remains of the city. The Greek Church celebrates the feast
of saints Cosmas and Damian on 1 July, 17 October, and 1 November, and
venerates three pairs of saints of the same name and profession. Cosmas
and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons and
are sometimes represented with medical emblems. (*CE* vol. 4 pp.
4030-404)
Elzear and Delphina (1323 & 1360): Spouses who adopted a virginal
lifestyle. In 1309, Elzear was godfather at the baptism of William of
Grimoard, a sickly child whose health was restored by the prayers of his
sponsor; this boy grew to be pope Urban V, who canonized his godfather
in 1369. There is a moral in this.
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Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
3 Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
fax: +44.117.929.7850
phone: +44.117.928.8168
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