September 26 - (STS. COSMAS AND DAMIAN) (Feast Day: September 26) (Patron Saints of: Barbers, Pharmacists, Physicians, Surgeons) (Martyrs):
From: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=471
(Feast Day: September 26)
Saints Cosmas and Damian
(Patron Saints of: Barbers, Pharmacists, Physicians, and Surgeons)
(Martyrs)
Sts. Cosmas and Damian were brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for
their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with
the spirit of charity and never took money for their services. At Egaea in
Cilicia, where they lived, they enjoyed the highest esteem of the people. When
the persecution under Diocletian broke out, their very prominence rendered them
marked objects of persecution. Being apprehended by order of Lysias, governor of
Cilicia, they underwent various torments about the year 283. Their feast day is
September 26th. They are patron saints of pharmacists.
And from:
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-cosmas/
Twin
brother of Saint Damian. Physician, trained in Syria; the brothers accepted no
payment for their services, and their charity brought many to Christ. Reported
to have miraculously replaced the ulcered leg of a man named Justinian with one
from a recently deceased man. Arrested during the persecutions of Diocletian, he
was tortured, but suffered no injury. Martyr. Many fables grew up about the
brothers, connected in part with the ability of their relics to heal.
Born
3rd century, of Arabic descent
Died
Tortured and beheaded c.303 in Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey)
And from: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saints-cosmas-and-damian/
Saints
Cosmas and Damian
Saints Cosmas and Damian’s Story
Nothing is known of their lives except that they suffered martyrdom in Syria
during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian.
A church erected on the site of their burial place was enlarged by the emperor
Justinian. Devotion to the two saints spread rapidly in both East and West. A
famous basilica was erected in their honor in Constantinople. Their names were
placed in the canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I) , probably in the sixth
century.
Legend says that they were twin brothers born in Arabia, who became skilled
doctors. They were among those who are venerated in the East as the “moneyless
ones” because they did not charge a fee for their services. It was impossible
that such prominent persons would escape unnoticed in time of persecution: They
were arrested and beheaded.
Nine centuries later, Francis of Assisi (October 4) rebuilt the dilapidated San
Damiano chapel outside Assisi.
For a long time, it seems, we have been very conscious of Jesus’ miracles as
proofs of his divinity. What we sometimes overlook is Jesus’ consuming interest
in simply healing people’s sickness, whatever other meaning his actions had. The
power that “went out from him” was indeed a sign that God was definitively
breaking into human history in final fulfillment of his promises; but the love
of God was also concrete in a very human heart that was concerned about the
suffering of his brothers and sisters. It is a reminder to Christians that
salvation is for the whole person, the unique body-spirit unity.
Reflection
Not sure what the reflection here should be Fr. Don.
Saints Cosmas and Damian are the Patron Saints of:
Barbers
Pharmacists
Physicians
Surgeons