Unmercenary · 4th century
Cosmas and Damian of Cilicia
Martyrs and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian in Cilicia
New Calendar October 17 Old Calendar October 30
Why they are a saint
Cosmas and Damian of Cilicia are remembered as a third pair of unmercenary brothers, of Cilicia, martyred with three other brothers. The years given for this life are 4th century. The New Calendar feast is October 17. This memory is kept in the whole Orthodox Church.
Life
Saints Cosmas and Damian were physicians in Arabia who believed in Christ. They travelled through cities and villages preaching Christ and healing the sick, and would take no payment.
In Cilicia pagans brought them before the governor Lysias. Refusing to renounce Christ, they were beaten and cast into the sea, but an angel brought them to shore. They were then beheaded together with three other Christians, Leontius, Anthimus and Eutropius.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of physicians, hospital workers (Unmercenaries), because they healed the sick, as told in their life.
Prayer
O holy Cosmas and Damian of Cilicia, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with the other two Cosmas-and-Damian pairs.