Hans von Kulmbach (1480–1522), St.
Cosmas and St. Damian, 1507-1508, pittura su peccio, 197.4 x
55Altar Wings with St. Cosmas and St. Damian from a Nicholas altar of St.
Lorenz church in Nuremberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum
Saints Côme et Damien
Martyrs à Cyr (IIIe siècle)
Martyrologe romain
Ben Sirac le sage [ch. 38]: Le médecin et la maladie
.jpg)
Fernando del Rincón de Figueroa (1460–), Milagros de los santos médicos Cosme y Damián,
Finales del siglo XV o principios del XVI, 188 x 155, Museo del Prado
Saint Côme et Saint
Damien
Martyrs
(vers 286)
Saint Côme et saint
Damien étaient deux frères, venus d'Arabie en Cilicie. On croit qu'ils étaient
frères jumeaux. Leur profession de médecin leur fournit l'occasion d'exercer un
véritable apostolat; car à travers les corps ils savaient voir les âmes, les toucher,
les convertir. La grâce divine vint relever leur science par le don des
guérisons miraculeuses: de toutes parts, on accourait à eux pour obtenir la
délivrance des maux les plus invétérés et les plus incurables. Le résultat ne
trompait jamais leur foi et leur confiance, et il ne se passait pas de jour
sans qu'ils eussent opéré quelque cure souvent désespérée.
Auprès d'eux, les
aveugles recouvraient la vue, les boiteux marchaient droit, les sourds
entendaient, les estropiés étaient guéris. Leur puissance s'étendait même
au-delà de ce monde visible, et, à leur voix, les démons abandonnaient leurs
victimes. Tout cela, ils le faisaient par pure charité, ne recevant jamais
aucune rétribution.
A cette gloire devait se
joindre celle du martyre. Un jour on les accusa de séduire le peuple et de
faire déserter les temples des dieux. Le préfet leur infligea une si longue et
si rude flagellation, que les bourreaux n'en pouvaient plus de fatigue; les
deux martyrs bénissaient le Seigneur. À la vue d'une foule immense, ils furent
précipités du haut d'un rocher dans les flots; mais un Ange plana au-dessus des
eaux et transporta les martyrs au rivage. Les deux martyrs furent jetés dans
une fournaise ardente; mais ils s'y promenèrent comme sur des fleurs. Après beaucoup
d'autres supplices, le préfet leur fit trancher la tête.
Abbé L. Jaud, Vie
des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950
SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/saint_come_et_saint_damien.html
26 septembre
Saints Côme et Damien
En 1163, il y avait, dans l'église abbatiale de
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, un autel béni sous le nom de saint Côme et de saint
Damien ; vers 1210, sur un terrain nouvellement compris dans l'enceinte de
Paris, l'Abbé de Saint-Germain-des-Prés fit construire sous leur patronage, une
église paroissiale où l'on montrait un grand reliquaire en bois doré contenant
une mâchoire et quelques ossements de saint Côme. Cette église fut détruite en
1836.
Chaque 27 septembre, le clergé de Notre-Dame de Paris
faisait, dans la Cité, une procession des reliques de saint Côme et de saint
Damien que possédait la cathédrale.
Parce qu’ils sont mentionnés au canon de la Messe, le
culte des saints Côme et Damien vint à Paris de Rome où leur église est un
titre cardinalice. En 1163, ils avaient un autel dans l’abbatiale de
Saint-Germain-des Prés dont l’abbé, en 1210, fit construire une église
paroissiale sous leur patronnage. Cette église possédait des reliques dont on
célébrait la translation à la fin du mois de mai et que, tous les 27 septembre,
le clergé de Notre-Dame portait en procession dans la Cité. On prétendait que
le chevalier Jean de Beaumont avait rapporté de croisade des reliques des
saints Côme et Damien à l’église de Luzarches où, deux fois par an (27
septembre et 23 octobre) la confrérie des chirurgiens de Paris qui s’y était
réunie en 1320, député quatre chirurgien pour soigner les malades.
Deux jumeaux, Côme et Damien, médecins, devinrent
chrétiens et, par le seul mérite de leurs vertus et l'intervention de leurs
prières, ils chassaient les infirmités des malades. Après divers supplices ils
sont réunis au ciel et font de nombreux miracles pour leurs compatriotes. Si un
malade vient à leur tombeau et y prie avec foi, aussitôt il obtient un remède à
ses maux. On dit qu'ils apparaissent en rêve aux malades et leur donnant une
ordonnance ; ceux-ci l'exécutent et s'en vont guéris.
Saint Grégoire de Tours
SOURCE : http://missel.free.fr/Sanctoral/09/26.php
Икона: Святые-бессребреники Косма и Дамиан, 108.5 x 80,
Первая половина XV в.
Saints Côme et Damien, des jumeaux si fusionnels
Isabelle
Cousturié - Publié le 25/09/18 - Mis à jour le 24/09/21
Vénérés en Occident ce 26 septembre, saint Côme et
saint Damien ont su tirer profit de leur gémellité pour mettre leurs qualités
médicales au service du Seigneur et étendre le christianisme.
Le comportement fusionnel chez les jumeaux est
notoire. Et il n’est pas rare de les voir épouser les mêmes professions, de
sentir la même vocation à servir le Seigneur. Prenez saint Côme
et saint Damien. Nés en Arabie au IIIe siècle, ces frères jumeaux ont tous
les deux entendus l’appel du Seigneur à mettre leurs qualités au service du
prochain, surtout des plus pauvres. Des qualités médicales transmises par leur
pieuse mère sainte Théodote, ils reçurent le pouvoir de chasser
les esprits impurs et de guérir toutes sortes de maladies sans autre remède que
leur prière.
Les apôtres-médecins
En ces deux frères — que leur gémellité rendait si
complémentaires — le Christ-Médecin put si bien guérir les âmes et les corps
que dès le Moyen Âge, ils devinrent les saints protecteurs des docteurs et
d’une variété deprofessions associées à la médecine. En Orient comme à
Rome, des basiliques, des oratoires, des hôpitaux portent leurs deux noms.
Côme et Damien « soignaient les pauvres,
délivraient les énergumènes, rendaient l’espoir aux pessimistes et la joie aux
mélancoliques », rapporte-t-on sur leur vie. Et comme ils avaient reçu
gratuitement la grâce du Saint-Esprit, ils exerçaient leur art médical
gratuitement — d’où leur surnom les « anargyroi », les « sans
argent » — attirant ainsi à eux un grand nombre de personnes à la foi
chrétienne. Leur mort en martyrs, sous les persécutions de Dioclétien (vers
287) — selon la légende ils restèrent fidèles à leur foi en dépit de toute une
série de tortures affreuses auxquelles ils restèrent insensibles — ne fit que
renforcer la vénération des chrétiens qui ne cessèrent d’affluer vers l’église
construite à l’emplacement de leur tombeau, à Cyr en Syrie du nord, où
fleurirent tant de miracles. L’Église parle officiellement de 47 miracles.
Des saints vénérés en Occident comme en Orient
Leur culte se répandit dans le monde entier.
L’empereur Justinien (527-565), guéri par l’intercession des deux saints,
restaura somptueusement la ville de Cyr, et fit transporter leurs vestiges à
Constantinople, qui devint un haut lieu de pèlerinage. À Rome, le pape Félix IV
(526-530) lui dédia une basilique au Forum de Vespasien, célèbre pour ses
mosaïques du VIe siècle représentant les saints. C’est là qu’aurait eu
lieu la plus célèbre des guérisons miraculeuses : la greffe d’une jambe de
Maure pour remplacer la jambe nécrosée du sacristain de l’église, rapportée par
la légende dorée de Jacques de Voragine, représentée dans de
nombreuses peintures et miniatures.
Lire aussi :Trois grands saints face à l’épreuve de la maladie
Au XIIe siècle, lors des croisades, des
reliques des deux saints ont été offertes au Seigneur de Luzarches qui les a
partagées entre Luzarches et Paris. Les chirurgiens, choisissent alors pour
saints patrons Côme et Damien et prennent comme principal engagement de
consulter gratuitement les pauvres, le premier lundi de chaque mois, respectant
ainsi les qualités d’anagyres des deux saints, rapporte le site des professeurs de la faculté de médecine à Nancy. À
la faculté de médecine de Nancy figurent deux portraits des frères jumeaux. Ils
portent le costume des professeurs de médecine de la fin du XVIe siècle.
Leurs attributs sont choisis parmi des instruments évoquant médecine et
chirurgie : la spatule et la boîte d’onguents pour saint Côme, le pot de
panacée, remède universel contre tous les maux pour saint Damien.
Invoqués en cas de maladie
Saints Côme et Damien sont considérés comme de
véritables saints médecins, et non comme des saints guérisseurs. Le dicton du
jour « Servez Saint Côme et Saint-Damien, vous vous porterez toujours
bien » invite à prier leur intercession en cas de maux de gorge, de
maladies des reins, et de troubles de l’appareil digestif (la gastrite entre
autre), les maux contre lesquelles ils sont généralement invoqués.
Lire aussi :En images : ces saints qui étaient frères et sœurs
Valentin Metzinger (1699–1759), Sv. Kozma in
sv. Damijan, 1746, Rožnik Church
Prière à saint Côme et saint Damien pour demander une
guérison
Anna Ashkova - Publié le 25/09/21 - Mis
à jour le 24/09/21
Côme et Damien sont considérés comme de véritables
saints médecins. Ces deux frères sont à invoquer en cas de maladie.
L’attention aux malades a été le levier central de la
vie des saints Côme et Damien. Ces frères jumeaux soignaient les malades sans se faire
payer, ce qui leur valut le surnom d’anargyres. Protecteurs des docteurs, ils
sont souvent invoqués en cas de maux de gorge, de maladies des reins ou de
troubles de l’appareil digestif (la gastrite entre autre). Voici une belle
prière de la tradition de l’Eglise à réciter aux saints Côme et Damien lorsque
vous êtes malade :
« Ô martyrs de Jésus-Christ, Côme et Damien, nous
vous honorons en toute humilité et avec l’affection de notre cœur.
Par vos excellents mérites, vous avez reçu du Seigneur
le pouvoir de protéger tous ceux qui se tournaient vers vous dans leur misère.
C’est pourquoi nous ne cesserons d’invoquer votre
intercession.
Comme durant la vie mortelle, vous avez soigné les
maladies dangereuses, par les moyens de la médecine et l’invocation du Nom de
Jésus Christ, comme les Apôtres, ainsi, maintenant que vous êtes puissants dans
le Ciel, tournez vers nous vos regards de pitié.
Nous sommes faibles, pêcheurs, malades; nous sentons
le besoin de l’aide divine.
Nous vous en prions : assistez-nous, obtenez nous du
Seigneur la guérison de nos maladies, priez le Bon Dieu de nous libérer du
péché.
Nous vous demandons ces grâces non seulement pour
nous, mais aussi pour nos parents, nos familles, pour nos amis et nos ennemis,
afin que, protégés par vous sur la terre, d’âme et de corps, nous puissions
venir au Ciel louer et bénir le Seigneur pour l’éternité. Amen. »
Anniversaire de la
dédicace (sous le pape Félix IV, 526-530) de la basilique dédiée aux Saints
Côme et Damien sur le Forum Romain.
Les saints martyrs sont
surnommées anargyres car ils soignaient gratuitement. Leur culte était si
répandu à Rome qu’une solennité en est faite le Jeudi de la 3ème semaine de
Carême
Leçons des Matines (avant
1960)
Quatrième leçon. Les deux
frères Côme et Damien, originaires d’Egée, ville d’Arabie, étaient des médecins
distingués, sous le règne de Dioclétien et de Maximien. Ils guérissaient, par
la vertu du Christ autant que par leur science médicale, jusqu’aux maladies
réputées incurables. Le préfet Lysias, ayant appris quelle était leur religion,
se les fit amener et les interrogea sur leur genre de vie et sur leur foi. Et
comme ils se déclaraient hardiment Chrétiens, ajoutant que la foi chrétienne
est nécessaire au salut, il leur enjoignit de sacrifier aux dieux, les
menaçant, en cas de refus, de leur faire subir des tortures et une mort très
cruelle.
Cinquième leçon. Mais voyant que les injonctions et les menaces restaient vaines : « Liez-leur les mains et les pieds, dit-il, et torturez-les par les supplices les plus affreux. » On exécuta ses ordres ; cependant Côme et Damien n’en persistèrent pas moins dans leur refus. On les jeta enchaînés dans la mer ; ils en sortirent sains et saufs et dégagés de leurs liens ; le préfet, attribuant ce prodige à des artifices magiques, les fit mettre en prison. Il les en fit sortit le lendemain et ordonna de les jeter dans un brasier ardent, dont la flamme s’éloigna d’eux. Après divers autres cruels tourments, il les condamna à être frappés de la hache, et ainsi tous deux reçurent la palme du martyre, en confessant Jésus-Christ.
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/27-09-Sts-Come-et-Damien-martyrs
Nés au Ill' siècle en
Arabie, d'une mère chrétienne, Côme et Damien sont jumeaux et ils ont
trois frères cadets, qui subiront le martyre en même temps qu'eux. Après être
allés en Syrie pour y étudier 1a médecine, les jumeaux reviennent dans leur
ville natale pour exercer leur art; ils ne veulent pas recevoir d'honoraires, respectant
en cela le précepte du Maître :«Vous avez reçu gratuitement, donnez
gratuitement. » S'ils n'acceptaient pas d'argent, il leur arrivait parfois
d'accepter des dons en nature, mais seulement si leur refus risquait de blesser
le malade qu'ils avaient guéri. Le Seigneur avait accordé à ses fidèles
serviteurs le don des miracles et ils guérissaient toute sorte de maladies,
rendant la vue aux aveugles, l'ouïe aux sourds, l'usage de leurs jambes aux
paralysés, guérissant aussi les âmes et exorcisant les possédés. Les guérisons
extraordinaires réalisées par les soins de Côme et Damien n'étaient pas passées
inaperçues et leur renommée était parvenue aux oreilles du proconsul Lysias,
qui désira les connaître. Apprenant de leur bouche qu'ils étaient chrétiens, il
exigea qu'ils sacrifient aux idoles. Bien que sachant ce qu'il leur en
coûterait, les médecins chrétiens refusèrent catégoriquement, et le proconsul
présida lui-même le tribunal qui les condamna à mort ainsi que leurs trois
frères. Après avoir essayé en vain plusieurs supplices (feu, noyade,
lapidation), le proconsul finit par les faire décapiter. C'était en l'an 287,
le 27 septembre.
Les miracles obtenus par l'intercession des saints Côme et Damien ont continué après leur mort, et en si grand nombre que leur culte s'est répandu très rapidement dans tout l'empire romain. La plus grande partie de leurs restes furent rapportés à Rome et déposés dans l'ancien temple de Romulus, transformé en une église qui leur fut dédiée. Les crânes des deux frères, qui étaient restés en Orient, ont été rapportés à Brageac par Guy et Raoul de Scorailles, seigneurs voisins, à leur retour de croisade. Conservés à l'origine dans un somptueux reliquaire émaillé, les "chefs" des saints Côme et Damien sont aujourd'hui conservés dans une châsse, qui fait partie du trésor de Brageac. Le jour de leur fête, ces reliques sont mises dans des bustes-reliquaires en bois polychrome. (Tiré de Stella Maris, Louis Couëtte)
SOURCE : http://apotres.amour.free.fr/page4/cosmeetdamien.htm
Fra Angelico. Greffe d'une jambe par les saints
Côme et Damien, 1440,
panneau de la prédelle de la Pala di San Marco, Musée national San Marco, Florence.
SAINT COME ET SAINT DAMIEN *
SOURCE : http://www.abbaye-saint-benoit.ch/voragine/tome03/144.htm
Saint Côme et Saint Damien
(Voir aussi saints guérisseurs )
Côme et Damien, frères jumeaux d’origine arabe,
vivaient à Egée, en Asie Mineure, au IIIè siècle. Ils y exercaient la médecine
et les grâces dont ils étaient bénéficiaires leur permettaient de guérir les
maladies, non seulement des hommes, mais aussi des animaux. Et jamais ils ne
faisaient payer leurs consultations – d’où leur surnom d’anargyres (« qui
n’acceptent pas d’argent »).
Dénoncés comme chrétiens, Côme et Damien comparaissent
avec leurs trois frères devant le proconsul Lysias qui leur ordonne de
sacrifier aux idoles. Comme ils s’y refusent, on les charge de chaînes et on
les précipite à la mer. Un ange les en retire. Lysias les fait alors jeter sur
un bûcher. Mais les flammes s’écartent d’eux et brûlent les bourreaux. Ils sont
condamnés à être lapidés puis percés de flèches, mais pierres et flèches ne les
touchent pas, et faisant demi-tour, atteignent ceux qui les ont lancées. Il
reste au juge une seule solution : leur faire trancher la tête ainsi qu’à leurs
frères.
Trois miracles posthumes sont attribués aux Saints
Côme et Damien : le plus frappant se rapporte à la guérison d’un gardien de
l’église érigée en leur honneur à Rome par le pape Félix. Ce malheureux avait
la jambe toute gâtée par un chancre. Pendant son sommeil, les saints lui
apparurent, l’un disant « où trouverons nous les chairs fraiches pour
remplacer celles que nous allons couper » et l’autre répondit « Un
éthiopien vient dêtre enseveli au Cimetière de Saint Pierre : apporte nous de
sa chair pour mettre ici. Ainsi fut fait : les Saints remplacèrent la jambe du
sacristain par celle du Maure. Le malade réveillé au milieu de la nuit n’en
crut pas ses yeus lorsqu’il vit que son mal avait disparu. Au matin, il se
rendit à l’évidence et sauta de joie hors du lit. On se précipita au cimetière
et on constata qu’à la place d’une de ses propres jambes, le maure avait la
jambe malade du gardien. C’est le miracle de la « jambe noire ».
Compte tenu de cette histoire, il est naturel que les
Saints Côme et Damien soient honorés dans des quantités de paroisses, de
chapelles et autres lieux de culte, tant en France qu’à l’Etranger : Mosaïques,
vitraux, peintures (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), sculptures, enluminures, gravures,
héraldique, orfèvrerie, ferronnerie, broderie, il n’est pas un domaine des arts
plastiques et graphiques ni même des arts décoratifs que l’iconographie de St
Côme et St Damien n’ait atteint. De nombreuses confréries avaient Côme et
Damien comme patrons : barbiers, chirurgiens, médecins, apothicaires. Un culte
leur est toujours rendu à différentes occasions, en particulier lors de leur
fête célébrée par l’Eglise le 26 septembre.
SOURCE : http://www.shp-asso.org/come/
.jpg)
Also known as
Cosma
the Moneyless
the Silverless
26 September (Roman)
1 July, 17 October, 1 November (Greek)
Profile
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
tortured and beheaded c.303 in
Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey)
—
in Italy
box of ointment
medical emblems
Additional Information
A
Garner of Saints, by Allen Banks Hinds, M.A.
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
In
God’s Garden, by Amy Steedman
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Francis
Xavier Weninger
Saints
of Italy, by Ella Noyes
Saints
of the Canon, by Monsignor John
T. McMahon
Short
Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english
Feast of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian
images
Santi e Beati: Saint Cosmas
Santi e Beati: Saints Cosmas and Damian
audio
video
sitios en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites en français
Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut
fonti in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
MLA Citation
“Saint Cosmas“. CatholicSaints.Info. 16 September
2021. Web. 26 September 2021. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cosmas/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cosmas/
.jpg)
Also known as
the Moneyless
the Silverless
Damiano
26 September (Roman)
1 July, 17 October, 1 November (Greek)
Profile
Twin brother of Saint Cosmas. 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
tortured and beheaded c.303 in
Aegea, Cilicia (modern Ayas, Turkey)
—
in Italy
box of ointment
medical emblems
Additional Information
A
Garner of Saints, by Allen Banks Hinds, M.A.
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
In
God’s Garden, by Amy Steedman
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Francis
Xavier Weninger
Saints
of Italy, by Ella Noyes
Saints
of the Canon, by Cosmas and Damian
Short
Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english
Feast of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian
images
Santi e Beati: Saint Damian
Santi e Beati: Saints Cosmas and Damian
audio
video
sitios en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites en français
Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut
fonti in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
Santi e Beati: Saint Damian
Santi e Beati: Saints Cosmas and Damian
MLA Citation
“Saint Damian“. CatholicSaints.Info. 16 September
2021. Web. 26 September 2021. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-damian/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-damian/
Sts. Cosmas & Damian were twins and early
Christian martyrs born in Arabia who practised the art of healing in the
seaport of Aegea (modern Ayas) in the Gulf of Issus, then in the Roman province
of Syria. They accepted no payment for their services, which led them to be
nicknamed “anargyroi” (The Silverless); it is said that by this, they led many
to the Christian faith.
During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and
Damian were arrested by order of the Prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is
otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture to recant. However, according
to legend they stayed true to their faith, enduring being hung on a cross,
stoned and shot by arrows and finally suffered execution by beheading.
Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius, their younger brothers, who were inseparable
from them throughout life, shared in their martyrdom.
Their most famous miraculous exploit was the grafting
of a leg from a recently deceased Ethiopian to replace a patient’s ulcered leg,
and was the subject of many paintings and illuminations.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of
physicians and surgeons and are sometimes represented with medical emblems.
They are invoked in the Canon of the Mass and in the Litany of the Saints.
What are said to be their skulls are venerated in the convent of the Clares in Madrid, where they have been since 1581, the gift of Maria, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saints-cosmas-damian/
Johann Anwander (1715–1770), Saints Côme et Damien, médecins, 1762, église de l'Assomption (Dillingen)
Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Early Christian physicians
and martyrs whose feast is
celebrated on 27 September. They were twins, born in Arabia,
and practised the art
of healing in the seaport Ægea, now Ayash (Ajass), on the Gulf of
Iskanderun in Cilicia, Asia
Minor, and attained a great reputation.
They accepted no pay for their services and were, therefore, called anargyroi,
"the silverless". In this way they brought many to the Catholic
Faith. When the Diocletian persecution began,
the Prefect Lysias had Cosmas and Damian arrested, and
ordered them to recant. They remained constant under torture, in a miraculous manner
suffered no injury from water, fire, air, nor on the cross, and were
finally beheaded with the sword. Their three brothers, Anthimus, Leontius,
and Euprepius died as martyrs with
them. 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
of 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. They are invoked in the Canon
of the Mass and in the Litany
of the Saints.
Sources
Acta SS., 27 Sept.; SCHLEYER in Kirchenlex.; ALOIS, Das Leben und Wirken d. hl. Cosmas und Damian, Patrone der Aerzte (Vienna, 1876); DEUBNER, Kosmas und Damian (Leipzig, 1907).
Meier, Gabriel. "Sts. Cosmas and Damian." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908.27
Sept. 2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04403e.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for
New Advent by Michael T. Barrett.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. Remy
Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04403e.htm
SS. Cosmas and Damian,
Martyrs
See Ado’s Martyrol. with
the comments of Monsignor Georgi, Bede, Usuard, St. Gregory the Great, and St.
Gregory of Tours. Their acts are so disfigured by modern Greeks, as to be of no
account. See also Stilting, t. 7, Sept. p. 431.
About the Year 303.
SAINTS COSMAS and DAMIAN were brothers, and born in Arabia, but studied the
sciences in Syria, and became eminent for their skill in physic. Being
Christians, and full of that holy temper of charity in which the spirit of our
divine religion consists, they practised their profession with great
application and wonderful success; but never took any gratification or
fee, 1 on
which account they are styled by the Greeks Anargyri, that is,
without fees, because they took no money. They lived at Ægæ, or Egæa, in
Cilicia, and were remarkable both for the love and respect which the people
bore them on account of the good offices which they received from their
charity, and for their zeal for the Christian faith, which they took every
opportunity their profession gave them to propagate. When the persecution of
Dioclesian began to rage, it was impossible for persons of so distinguished a
character to lie concealed. They were therefore apprehended by the order of
Lysias, governor of Cilicia, and after various torments were beheaded for the
faith. Their bodies were carried into Syria, and buried at Cyrus. Theodoret,
who was bishop of that city in the 5th century, mentions that their relics were
then deposited in a church there, which bore their names. 2 He
calls them two illustrious champions, and valiant combatants for the faith of
Jesus Christ. The emperor Justinian, who began his reign in 527, out of a
religious regard for the treasure of these precious relics, enlarged,
embellished, and strongly fortified this city of Cyrus; and finding a ruinous
church at Constantinople, built in honour of these martyrs, as is said, in the
reign of Theodosius the Younger, (who died in the middle of the fifth age,)
raised a stately edifice in its room, as a monument of his gratitude for the
recovery of his health in a dangerous fit of sickness, through their
intercession, as Procopius relates. 3 To
express his particular devotion to these saints, he built also another church
under their names at Constantinople. Marcellinus, in his chronicle, 4 and
St. Gregory of Tours, 5 relate
several miracles performed by their intercession. Their relics were conveyed to
Rome, where the holy Pope St. Felix, great-grandfather to St. Gregory the
Great, built a church to their honour, in which these relics are kept with
veneration to this day.
These saints regarded it as a great happiness, that their profession offered
them perpetual opportunities of affording comfort and relief to the most
distressed part of their fellow-creatures. By exerting our charity towards all
in acts of benevolence and beneficence, according to our abilities; and in
treating enemies and persecutors with meekness and good offices, we are to
approve ourselves followers of Christ, animated with his spirit. Thus we shall
approach nearest in resemblance to our divine original, and show ourselves
children of our heavenly Father, who bears with the most grievous sinners,
inviting them to repentance and pardon, and showering down his mercies and
benefits upon them. He only then arms himself with his justice against them,
when they by wilful malice forfeit his grace, and obstinately disappoint his
gracious love and kindness. His very nature is boundless goodness, and
continual emanations of mercy descend from him upon his creatures. All the
scattered perfections and blessings which are found in them, come from this
source. In the imitation of the divine goodness, according to our abilities, at
least in the temper of our mind, consists that Christian perfection, which,
when founded in the motive of true charity, is the accomplishment of the law.
Men engaged in professions instituted for the service of their neighbour, may
sanctify their labour or industry, if actuated by the motive of charity towards
others, even whilst they also have in view the justice which they owe to
themselves and their family, of procuring an honest and necessary subsistence,
which is itself often a strict obligation and no less noble a virtue, if it be
founded in motives equally pure and perfect.
Note 1. Boerhaave takes notice, that before there were any professed
physicians, it was the custom among the ancient Egyptians, when any one was
sick, to inquire of neighbours and passengers, if they knew any remedies proper
for the patient. But ever since the study of physic has been a profession, it
has been both honourable and lucrative. The customary yearly salary which
princes paid their physicians, about the time of Christ’s birth, was 250
sestertia or above £2018 sterling. Stertinius complained that he had only a
salary of 500 sestertia or £4036 9s. 2d. when he had by his private
practice 600 sestertia or £4843 15s. See Dr. Arbuthnot’s book On Coins;
and Mr. William Smith’s book of Remarks on the same, p. 226. [back]
Note 2. Theodoret, ep. 133. [back]
Note 3. Procop. de Ædific. Justinian, l. 2, c. 11. [back]
Note 4. Ad. an. 516. [back]
Note 5. L. de Glor. Mart. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume IX: September. The
Lives of the Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/9/271.html
.jpg)
Battistello Caracciolo (–1635),
: Los santos médicos Cosme y Damián / I santi medici Cosma e Damiano
/The Saint Physicians Cosmas and Damian, tra il 1620 e
il 1630, 96 x 121, Museo del Prado
Weninger’s
Lives of the Saints – Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Saints Cosmas and Damian were brothers, born of rich
Christian parents, at Algae in Cilicia. Both studied medicine, in order to have
an opportunity to gain the Pagans to Christ, and encourage the Christians to
virtue as well as to constancy in their faith. God blessed their medical skill
to such an extent, that they became celebrated through the whole country for
the happy cures which they effected, and pagans, as well as Christians had
recourse to them in all dangerous diseases. They asked no fee from their
patients, but served them put of love to God. When they visited a patient, they
inquired into his ailings, and then cured him by making the sign of the cross
over him. They even restored sight to the blind, and made the lame walk. Many
heathens, healed in this manner, were converted to the Christian faith, as they
not only became convinced of the power of the holy cross, but were also taught
by the holy brothers who He was who had died for us on the cross. Hence these
two holy physicians were rightly esteemed and honored as apostles by the
Christians.
The heathens, however, regarded them as the greatest
enemies of their gods: and when the Governor Lysias, by the order of Dioclesian
and Maximian, came to Algae, to exterminate the Christians there, these two
brothers were the first who were denounced as magicians and corrupters of the
people. Lysias called them to account, but they said fearlessly: “We are no
magicians, no corrupters of the people; but in faith, Christians, and
physicians by profession. We are not actuated by selfish motives, by lust of
gain, in the practice of our science, as we take remuneration from no one. The happy
cures we make we owe not so much to our knowledge, as to the power of Jesus
Christ, whom we worship as the true God.” It was enough for the governor to
know that both professed Christianity. He ordered them to be bound, whipped,
and then thrown into the sea. The first of these orders was immediately most
cruelly executed, but with the second he did not succeed; for, an angel of the
Lord loosened the fetters of the Martyrs and brought them back to the shore,
healed of the wounds which they had received in the barbarous whipping. When
Lysias was informed of this, he ordered them to be burned alive. They were cast
into a burning furnace, but remained unharmed. The tyrant then had them bound
to a cross and commanded stones and arrows to be thrown at them; but both
stones and arrows rebounded from them without doing them the least injury,
while they severely wounded the heathens who were standing around. A great many
were converted by this miracle. Lysias alone remained unmoved; and as he knew
no other tortures, he condemned the two Saints to die by the sword.
Practical Considerations
Cosmas and Damian showed great love to the sick, but
desired no recompense, because they did it all out of love to God. To labor and
to suffer for the love of God is the best intention, and one we should endeavor
to cultivate. It is a good and holy intention, when I do or suffer anything to
escape hell, but it is a still better one when I do or suffer anything to gain
salvation. It is known that even great saints have made use of such intentions.
The noblest and most excellent intention, however, is to do and suffer for the
pure love of God only. Make this intention early in the morning, when you say
your prayers, and renew it often during the day. Turn your thoughts frequently
to the Almighty and say: “Lord, out of love to Thee! to Thy honor!” Especially
ought you to do this when what you are about to do is tedious; for this
intention will lighten it. Sick persons, who cannot pray much, ought to
accustom themselves to repeat these words. Frequently ought they to say or
think, while looking up to heaven or to the crucifix: “Lord, I bear this
suffering from love to Thee! All out of love to Thee, O my God!” This will
bring them consolation arid prove very meritorious. I say very meritorious,
yes, even in the highest degree. It will obtain great recompense in heaven;
for, Saint Chrysostom assures us: “Let us not believe that we shall have no
reward when we en- deavor to obtain none; for, our recompense will be so much
sweeter in heaven.”
MLA Citation
Father Francis Xavier Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saints Cosmas
and Damian, Martyrs”. Lives of the Saints, 1876. CatholicSaints.Info.
6 May 2018. Web. 26 September 2021.
<https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saints-cosmas-and-damian-martyrs/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saints-cosmas-and-damian-martyrs/
Santos Cosme y Damián, óleo sobre lienzo, Zaragoza,
iglesia del Hospital de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, 1680 circa
Saints of Italy – The Five
Companions
In the time of the Emperor Diocletian there lived in
the city of Egea an honourable and God-fearing woman named Theodata, who daily
observed the commands of the Lord, but her heart was ever sorrowful, because
she had no child, and her husband reproached her. When
she had borne her trouble patiently for many years, God at length granted her
heart’s desire, and she became the mother of two fair sons, whom she named
Cosmo and Damiano. They grew up full of grace in mind and body, and resembled
one another as closely as two lilies that bloom together in a field, going ever
side by side in the ways, and bearing themselves with like gentleness and
meekness. Their mother brought them up with great care in the Christian faith,
and when they were old enough caused them to be taught the art of medicine,
wherein they attained, in a short space, marvellous skill, for they were able
to restore the blind, the deaf, and the dumb, and heal every manner of
infirmity, drawing all bitter humours from the human body. They would take no
reward from rich or poor for what they did, that they might obey the will of
the Lord, and impart to others freely that gift which He had so freely bestowed
upon them.
The fame of the brothers was quickly noised abroad,
and a certain sick woman named Palladia, who had spent all her substance upon
physicians, and profited little by them, hearing of the twins, immediately ran
and threw herself at their feet, beseeching them to come and visit her. They,
seeing her faith, went with her gladly, and entering into her house,
straightway made her whole. After they had all given thanks to God together,
the brothers departed, but as Damiano was stepping forth the woman caught him by
the sleeve, and, showing him a little bag containing three eggs, besought him
to accept it. He refused, and turned hastily away; but Palladia called after
him, and adjured him loudly in the Name of the Lord to take her gift, whereupon
he returned and carried it away. When Cosmo saw what had been done he was much
troubled, judging his brother to have sinned, and he refused to lie beside
Damiano that night, and in his wroth cried out that neither should they be
buried in the same sepulchre when they were dead. And it came to pass that as
Cosmo was sleeping apart, the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Wherefore art thou angered with thy brother, scorning this treasure which the
woman gave him? Thou mayst ask no reward for thy works, but she offered this
gift in My Name, wherefore My servant Damiano took it.” Then Cosmo awoke, and,
calling his brother, told his dream and asked Damiano’s pardon, and they wept
on each other’s necks for joy that the Lord was not displeased with them. And
when they rose up in the morning, they feasted merrily on the eggs.
So great were the wonders wrought by the twin
physicians that many, seeing them to be Christians, were converted to the
faith. Among these were three brothers, Anthino, Leontio, and Euprepio, who,
abandoning the pleasures of the world, accompanied the twins wherever they
went, assisting them in their good works. Not only did the Five Companions
minister to human beings, but likewise to sick and suffering beasts. One day
they met a merchant with a camel, which was so enfeebled by the diabolical arts
of a sorcerer that it had sunk upon its knees and was unable to rise, and its
eyes beginning to roll, it appeared on the point of death. Its master stood
weeping beside it, knowing not how to bring himself and his merchandise to the
journey’s end. The Companions comforted him, and crying in a loud voice, they
commanded the devil, in the Name of the Lord, to depart out of the camel, and
immediately the beast rose upon its feet and moved forwards as strong and well as
before.
About this time the Emperor Diocletian, inflamed with
malice against the Church, ordered a persecution of the Christians throughout
his dominions. Then Lysias, the Prefect of the province in which the Companions
lived, sent officers to spy out the Christians and bring reports concerning
them; and they returning, told him of Cosmo and Damiano, how they went about in
all the cities and villages, healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits,
so that the people, seeing these things which they did, believed in Him who is
called Christ, and refused to sacrifice to the gods. Lysias directed the
officers to go and lay hold upon the holy brothers, which being done, Cosmo and
Damiano were brought into the judgment hall, and stood before the Prefect with
joyful countenances. He, looking upon them angrily, said, “What is this that I
hear, that you go about persuading the people to fall away from the worship of
the gods? ” And he asked their names, and who were their companions, and
commanded that Anthino, Leontio, and Euprepio should also be led before him,
who, being summoned, came gladly with the officers. Then Lysias ordered them to
tell him what gift the goddess Fortune had bestowed upon them, which enabled
them to perform such wonderful cures. Cosmo answered boldly, “We know not the
goddess Fortune, for we are Christians, and in the Name of the Lord we do our
works.” At this the Prefect was very wroth, and told them to sacrifice
immediately to the gods, threatening them with torments if they refused to obey;
but they cried out one and all together, saying again and again, ” We scorn thy
torments, and are not afraid. Do thy worst, but never will we call by the name
of God deaf and dumb idols which are but stones and brass.” The Prefect then
ordered that they should be bound and tormented, and the executioners, seizing
them, inflicted upon them scourgings and many grievous pains; yet the
Companions faltered not, but sang in the midst of the torments, saying, ” Lord,
thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains
were built or the round earth was made firm. Thou wast and for ever more shalt
be. Have mercy upon us, and free us from the power of the devil and his son,
Lysias the Prefect.” Praying thus, they remained unhurt, and called upon the
judge to prove them with yet more cruel pains, if it were possible to devise
any, so that he might perceive that nought could prevail against them, Christ
being their help.
At last Lysias bade the executioners desist, and
unbind the Saints. He said to them, “I thought by means of these mild
sufferings to have persuaded you, but now I perceive that you are resolved to
persevere in your disobedience, therefore I shall not suffer you to live any
longer.” Turning to the officers, he said, “Take Cosmo and Damiano, and bind
them in chains, and cast them into the sea; but their companions shall be
preserved alive and thrown into a deep dungeon, for, being young, they may yet
consent to return to the gods.”
Then the holy brothers, exulting and crying, “Take
heed, for shortly you shall see the power of the Lord revealed in us,” bade a
tender farewell to the others, and submitted themselves joyfully to be bound
and led away. As they went they sang again, saying, “Though we walk in the
midst of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we will fear no evil, for Thou art
with us, Thy rod and Thy staff shall comfort us;” and again, “Thou hast
anointed our heads with oil, and with the cup of Thy New Testament hast Thou
inebriated us; Thy mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” And they came to the seashore, and
the officers took and cast them into the sea. Scarcely was this done, when lo!
the angel of the Lord appeared in the sky, and with swift wings flying down,
broke their bonds asunder, and led them up unhurt out of the waters.
The officers and all the people, seeing what was done,
wondered greatly, and ran and told the Prefect, who, sending for the Saints,
said to them, ” By the great gods Hercules and Jove, I adjure you to tell me by
what magic power you are able to despise torments and vanquish the fury of the
sea. Teach me your secret knowledge, and I will follow you to the ends of the
earth.” Cosmo and Damiano answered, ” We have no magic power. We are but simple
Christians, and in the Name of Christ we bring to nought the wiles of the Evil
One.” Lysias exclaimed, ” In the name of my gods, who are the gods of Rome, I
will follow you.” When he had said this, immediately the angels sent two evil
spirits, which set on him, and beat him unmercifully about the head and face,
till he cried out to Cosmo and Damiano, ” I beseech you, good soldiers of
Christ, pray to your Lord to deliver me from these demons;” and they prayed,
and the demons straightway left him, whereupon Lysias, blinded by his
wickedness, said, “See now how much the gods are angered against me, for they
sent evil spirits because I would have forsaken them.” The brothers answered, ”
Thou wilt not understand, O foolish man; but know that it is God who has
chastened thee; and put not thy trust in deaf and dumb idols, the work of men’s
hands.” Then the judge was moved to great anger, and crying, ” I will not
endure thy blasphemy any longer,” he caused them to be imprisoned with their
companions, while he considered how he might compass their destruction. And
they ceased not to sing night and day in the dungeon.
After three days Lysias sent for all five, and asked
if they still persisted in their madness; and they cried out, “Thou vile enemy,
we are Christians and witnesses for the truth unto the end, and we will not
consent to deny the Lord of all, who made us when as yet we were not. Now do
thy vengeance upon us.” The Prefect, hearing himself thus defied, fell into a
dreadful rage, and ordered his people to bring faggots and make a great fire;
and the executioners took the Companions, and flung them into it. And behold!
they walked about in the midst of the fire as if they were in Paradise, and
kneeling down, they glorified the Lord, singing, “To Thee will we lift up our
eyes, O Thou that dwellest in heaven.” Suddenly the flames leapt out on either
side, and, catching the executioners and many of the multitude that stood
around, scorched them so that they died. But those holy ones stepped out
unscathed, neither was a hair of their heads touched by the fire.
The Prefect, astounded and half persuaded to believe,
accused them again of using magic arts, and when they indignantly denied,
menaced them with further torments if they would not obey the will of the
Emperor. “We scorn thy Emperor,” they responded. “We have a heavenly King, who
is Christ the Lord.”
He then ordered them to be fastened to stakes and
stoned, but the stones, missing the Companions, fell back upon the executioners
and crushed them; and Lysias, full of wrath at seeing his officers wounded and
put to shame, called for four companies of soldiers, and ordered them to shoot
at the Saints with arrows. The soldiers drew their bows, and shot till all
their arrows were expended, but they could not touch their victims, and the
arrows rebounding, slew great multitudes of impious people who had run together
to that place.
At last Lysias, seeing all his malicious devices
baffled, and vexed almost to the point of death, commanded that their heads
should be cut off with a sword. The officers led them away to the place of
execution outside the city, and as they went they sang for the space of a whole
hour, saying, ” Good is it to trust in the Lord, and to praise Thy Name, O Lord
Most High, for Thou hast magnified Thy mercy upon us.” And when they were come
there they all knelt down, and stretched their hands towards the east, and
raising their eyes to heaven, glorified God in their hearts. Then for the space
of another hour they said, ” Amen, Amen,” and the executioners approaching, cut
off their heads; and so in peace they gave their souls to God.
Then pious men came and took up the bodies of the
Saints, and remembering that Cosmo had said that he would not be buried with
his brother, they were puzzled to know how and where they might lay their
bodies separately. Now, the camel whom the brothers had healed of its sickness,
happening to be in that place with its master, all at once stepped forward and
began to speak with a human voice, saying, ” Men of God, who have seen many
signs and wonders done by these holy martyrs, not only on men like yourselves,
but likewise on us beasts who serve you, hearken unto me, who am sent to tell
you that you shall not part the bodies of Cosmo and Damiano, but shall lay them
in one sepulchre together.” Then all those who followed the funeral procession
were astonished, and praised God who deigned to reveal mysteries by the mouth
of dumb and irrational creatures; and they did as the camel had said, and
buried Cosmo and Damiano in one grave, and their three companions beside them.
Now, this was done that those twin brothers, who were
united by one spirit and one faith, might rest together in peace till they
should be called to celestial glory.
After a time many pilgrims came to visit the
sepulchres of the Saints, and especially those that suffered with divers
diseases, for on touching the tombs they were made whole. And these holy
martyrs became famous throughout the whole world, and were held in great
reverence, many beautiful churches and sanctuaries being built in their names
to the glory of God, and often were they seen to appear and heal the sick. Many
years after their death it happened in the great city of Rome that a certain
pious man, the sacristan of a church dedicated to Cosmo arid Damiano, was
afflicted with a deadly disease, which was consuming his leg so that he endured
intolerable torment, and was like to die. One night as he lay sleeping in the
sacristy, the twin Saints appeared at his bedside, bearing iinguents and bandages.
They knelt down and felt his leg, and turned it this way and that, and when
they had well seen how grievous was the evil, one said to the other, “Where may
we find flesh, brother, so that, having cut out the diseased part, we may fill
up the place that is left?” The other answered, “In the cemetery out yonder
lies an Ethiopian, who has been buried this very day. Let us go and take flesh
from him to supply what is needed here.” They vanished, and presently returned,
carrying between them the leg of the Moor, and cutting off the diseased limb of
the sacristan, fixed the other in its stead; then, having carefully oiled and
bound the wound, they took the sick leg and joined it on to the body of the
Moor. When the sacristan awoke in the morning he marvelled to feel no pain,
and, putting his hand to his leg, searched in vain for the usual wound. Then he
took a candle and looked closely, and was beyond measure rejoiced to find his
limb whole and sound, and, seeing that it was not the leg which he had had before,
for this one was black, he understood that a miracle had been wrought upon him,
and full of amazement and joy, ran forth to relate to the neighbours how San
Cosmo and San Damiano had healed him in his sleep; whereupon they all assembled
together in the church and gave praise to God.
In the same city there was a good man named Malcho,
who took note of all the wonders done by the holy martyrs. One day he said to
his wife, ” Let us go to the Church of San Cosmo and San Damiano.” She went
with him readily, and being come there, he told her how he was compelled to
take a journey into a far country, and bade her reside beside the church,
adding, “And this shall be the sign, that when the Lord willeth, I will send
for thee in the names of the holy brothers.” Thereupon he set forth, and after
a few days the Evil One, changing himself into the semblance of a man, came to
the woman and said, “Behold, thy husband has sent me from a certain city, to
bring thee to him.” She, not willing to go with a stranger, answered, “Thou
hast not given me the sign, without which I may not accompany thee, but if thou
wouldest have me believe in thee, take hold of the horn of the altar, and swear
that thou wilt do me no harm.” And the devil swore, saying, “By the virtue of
San Cosmo and San Damiano, I will present thee safe to thy husband.” Then she
went with him.
When they were now come to a secret place, the Evil
One took hold of her to throw her from her mule and kill her; whereupon she
raised her eyes to heaven, and cried in a loud voice, ” O God of Cosmo and
Damiano, send thy servants quickly to deliver me from this wicked devil, for I
followed him, trusting in them.” Immediately there appeared in the sky two
horsemen, shining like the sun, attended by a multitude clothed all in white.
The prince of darkness, beholding them, vanished instantly, so that the
Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “He has dug a pit, and fallen into it
himself; ” and the servants of Christ took the woman and brought her back to
the church, saying to her, “We are Cosmo and Damiano, in whom thou didst trust,
and therefore have we hastened to thine aid.”
Many other marvels, which it would take too long to
relate, were performed by the holy brothers, and likewise by their three
fellow-martyrs, and they blessed the labours of all physicians and surgeons, to
the advancement of the art of healing, and to the glory of God, to whom be
honour and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
– from Saints of Italy,
by Ella Noyes; J M Dent and Sons, London, 1901
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-italy-the-five-companions/
Jacopo e Domenico Tintoretto, Martirio dei SS. Cosma e Damiano, San Giorgio Maggiore - Venezia
> San COSMA
> San DAMIANO
Sulla vita di Cosma e Damiano le notizie sono scarse. Si sa che erano gemelli e cristiani. Nati in Arabia, si dedicarono alla cura dei malati dopo aver studiato l'arte medica in Siria. Ma erano medici speciali. Spinti da un'ispirazione superiore infatti non si facevano pagare. Di qui il soprannome di anàrgiri (termine greco che significa «senza argento», «senza denaro»). Ma questa attenzione ai malati era anche uno strumento efficacissimo di apostolato. «Missione» che costò la vita ai due fratelli, che vennero martirizzati. Durante il regno dell'imperatore Diocleziano, forse nel 303, il governatore romano li fece decapitare. Successe a Ciro, città vicina ad Antiochia di Siria dove i martiri vengono sepolti. Un'altra narrazione attesta invece che furono uccisi a Egea di Cilicia, in Asia Minore, per ordine del governatore Lisia, e poi traslati a Ciro. Il culto di Cosma e Damiano è attestato con certezza fin dal V secolo.
Fonte : Avvenire
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/29275
Abbiamo informazioni abbondanti e di grande interesse sul culto che Cosma e Damiano hanno avuto già poco tempo dopo la morte: dedicazione di chiese e monasteri a Costantinopoli, in Asia Minore, in Bulgaria, in Grecia, a Gerusalemme. La loro fama è giunta rapida in Occidente, partendo da Roma, con l’oratorio dedicato loro da papa Simmaco (498- 514) e con la basilica voluta da Felice IV (526-530). I loro due nomi, poi, sono stati pronunciati infinite volte, sotto tutti i cieli, ogni giorno a partire dal VI secolo, nel Canone della Messa, che dopo gli Apostoli ricorda dodici martiri, chiudendo l’elenco appunto con i loro nomi: Cosma e Damiano.
Poco si sa invece della loro vita. Li ricorda il Martirologio Romano, ispirandosi a una narrazione che vuole Cosma e Damiano nati in Arabia. Sono fratelli, e cristiani. Per invito dello Spirito Santo, si dedicano alla cura dei malati, dopo aver studiato l’arte medica in Siria. Ma sono medici speciali, appunto in virtù della loro missione: non si fanno pagare. Di qui il soprannome di anàrgiri (termine greco che significa “senza argento”, “senza denaro”). Solo una volta, si narra – e contro la volontà di Cosma –, Damiano ha accettato un compenso da una donna che ha guarito: tre uova.
Questa attenzione ai malati è pure uno strumento efficacissimo di apostolato cristiano. E appunto l’opera di proselitismo costa la vita ai due fratelli, martirizzati insieme con altri cristiani. In un anno imprecisato del regno dell’imperatore Diocleziano (tra il 284 e il 305, forse nel 303), il governatore romano li sottopone a tortura e poi li fa decapitare. Questo avviene a Ciro, città vicina ad Antiochia di Siria (oggi Antakya, in Turchia) dove i martiri vengono sepolti. Un’altra narrazione dice che furono uccisi a Egea di Cilicia, in Asia Minore, per ordine del governatore Lisia, e poi traslati a Ciro. Ma abbiamo la voce di Teodoreto, vescovo appunto di Ciro, uno dei grandi protagonisti delle battaglie dottrinali nel V secolo: e questa voce parla di Cosma e Damiano, "illustri atleti e generosi martiri", con ammirazione e affetto di concittadino.
Il culto per i due guaritori, passato dall’Oriente all’Europa, "si mantenne straordinariamente vivo fino a tutto il Rinascimento, dando luogo a un’iconografia tra le più ricche dell’Occidente, specie in Italia, Francia e Germania" (Maria Letizia Casanova). A più di mille anni dalla loro morte, si dà il nome di uno di loro a quello che poi i fiorentini chiameranno padre della patria: Cosimo de’ Medici il Vecchio. E la casata chiama a illustrare la vita dei due santi guaritori artisti come il Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi e Sandro Botticelli.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
Abbiamo informazioni abbondanti e di grande interesse sul culto che Cosma e Damiano hanno avuto già poco tempo dopo la morte: dedicazione di chiese e monasteri a Costantinopoli, in Asia Minore, in Bulgaria, in Grecia, a Gerusalemme. La loro fama è giunta rapida in Occidente, partendo da Roma, con l’oratorio dedicato loro da papa Simmaco (498- 514) e con la basilica voluta da Felice IV (526-530). I loro due nomi, poi, sono stati pronunciati infinite volte, sotto tutti i cieli, ogni giorno a partire dal VI secolo, nel Canone della Messa, che dopo gli Apostoli ricorda dodici martiri, chiudendo l’elenco appunto con i loro nomi: Cosma e Damiano.
Poco si sa invece della loro vita. Li ricorda il Martirologio Romano, ispirandosi a una narrazione che vuole Cosma e Damiano nati in Arabia. Sono fratelli, e cristiani. Per invito dello Spirito Santo, si dedicano alla cura dei malati, dopo aver studiato l’arte medica in Siria. Ma sono medici speciali, appunto in virtù della loro missione: non si fanno pagare. Di qui il soprannome di anàrgiri (termine greco che significa “senza argento”, “senza denaro”). Solo una volta, si narra – e contro la volontà di Cosma –, Damiano ha accettato un compenso da una donna che ha guarito: tre uova.
Questa attenzione ai malati è pure uno strumento efficacissimo di apostolato cristiano. E appunto l’opera di proselitismo costa la vita ai due fratelli, martirizzati insieme con altri cristiani. In un anno imprecisato del regno dell’imperatore Diocleziano (tra il 284 e il 305, forse nel 303), il governatore romano li sottopone a tortura e poi li fa decapitare. Questo avviene a Ciro, città vicina ad Antiochia di Siria (oggi Antakya, in Turchia) dove i martiri vengono sepolti. Un’altra narrazione dice che furono uccisi a Egea di Cilicia, in Asia Minore, per ordine del governatore Lisia, e poi traslati a Ciro. Ma abbiamo la voce di Teodoreto, vescovo appunto di Ciro, uno dei grandi protagonisti delle battaglie dottrinali nel V secolo: e questa voce parla di Cosma e Damiano, "illustri atleti e generosi martiri", con ammirazione e affetto di concittadino.
Il culto per i due guaritori, passato dall’Oriente all’Europa, "si mantenne straordinariamente vivo fino a tutto il Rinascimento, dando luogo a un’iconografia tra le più ricche dell’Occidente, specie in Italia, Francia e Germania" (Maria Letizia Casanova). A più di mille anni dalla loro morte, si dà il nome di uno di loro a quello che poi i fiorentini chiameranno padre della patria: Cosimo de’ Medici il Vecchio. E la casata chiama a illustrare la vita dei due santi guaritori artisti come il Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi e Sandro Botticelli.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
Retrat dels sants metges Cosme i Damià. És la taula
central de la predel.la que està dedicada a aquests sants, dins el retaule
dedicat als sants Abdó i Senén. El retaule és una de les poques obres que es
poden atribuir amb tota certesa a Jaume Huguet, ja que se'n conserva el
contracte de l'any 1460. Huguet és l´únic representant català de la tendència
flamenca, que domina el període final del gòtic. A la taula central hi són
representants els sants titulars, Abdó i Senén, prínceps de Pèrsia que van ser
capturats i morts a Roma. Per causes desconegudes, sembla que les relíquies
d'aquests sants van ser traslladades a Arlés del Tec (Vallespir) i d'aquí la
rao que gaudissin d'un culte ben arrelat a Catalunya, invocats com a patrons de
la pagesia i coneguts com Sant Nin i Sant Non. Composen el reatule un Calvari i
quatre escenes relatives als sants. A la pradel.la es descriuen escenes del
matitiri i la mort dels sants Cosme i Damià, metges amb un possible origen àrab
i, com els anteriors, també molt venerats a Catalunya. Al guardapols,
decoracions de tipus vegetals i les armes de Terrassa i Barcelona. Actualment
es troba a l'Església de Sant Pere de Terrassa.
Voir aussi : http://www.shp-asso.org/index.php?PAGE=come
Marie-Louise David-Danel. « Saint Côme et saint Damien sont-ils au nombre des « patrons » de la pharmacie ? », Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie, 1958, Volume 46, Numéro 159, pp. 459-461 :
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/pharm_0035-2349_1958_num_46_159_8185
http://christroi.over-blog.com/article-saint-come-et-saint-damien-martyrs-286-57683783.html
Saints Cosmas and
Damian: The Iconography : https://www.christianiconography.info/cosmasDamian.html
