Daily Archives: June 3, 2024

picture of Sts Cosmas and Damian

Sts. Cosmas & Damian

Sts. Cosmas & Damian

Feast dayAugust 11
Death 3rd century

Sts. Cosmas & Damian were twin brothers who lived during the 3rd century and are venerated as saints in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. They were reputed to be skilled physicians and were known for their charitable work, providing medical care without charging fees, which earned them the title “Anargyroi” (meaning “the silverless” or “the unmercenary” in Greek).

Historical Background

  • Early Life and Profession: Cosmas and Damian were born in Arabia and practiced medicine in the Roman province of Syria (modern-day Turkey). According to tradition, they were well-educated and proficient in the healing arts.
  • Christian Faith and Martyrdom: They were devout Christians, which led to their persecution during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, known for his severe persecutions of Christians. They were arrested, tortured, and ultimately martyred around the year 303 AD.

Legacy and Veneration

  • Miraculous Healing: Numerous legends attribute miraculous healings to Cosmas and Damian, both during their lives and posthumously. One of the most famous stories involves them performing a miraculous transplantation of a leg from a deceased Ethiopian to a white patient.
  • Feast Day: Their feast day is celebrated on September 26 in the Western Church and on November 1 in the Eastern Church.
  • Patronage: Cosmas and Damian are patron saints of physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, and barbers. They are also invoked for protection against plague and other diseases.
  • Relics and Churches: The Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Rome houses their relics and is one of the primary sites of their veneration. Numerous other churches and medical institutions worldwide are dedicated to them.

Artistic Depictions

  • Iconography: They are often depicted in medieval and Renaissance art as standing together, dressed in the attire of physicians or holding medical instruments. Sometimes, they are shown with the palm of martyrdom, indicating their status as martyrs.

Influence

  • Medical Ethics: Their practice of offering medical services without charge has inspired various Christian medical missions and charitable organizations.

Sts. Cosmas and Damian’s story is a powerful testament to the intersection of faith, charity, and professional excellence in the field of medicine. Their legacy continues to inspire medical professionals and faithful alike.

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Daily mass readings for June 10, 2024

Daily mass readings : Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : 1 Kgs 17:1-6

Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab:
“As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve,
during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.”
The LORD then said to Elijah:
“Leave here, go east
and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan.
You shall drink of the stream,
and I have commanded ravens to feed you there.”
So he left and did as the LORD had commanded.
He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan.
Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning,
and bread and meat in the evening,
and he drank from the stream.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (see 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Alleluia : Mt 5:12a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
for your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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