Saints Cosmas and Damian: Life, Prayers

Very little is known about the lives of the two twin brothers, miracle-working physicians who lived in the 3rd century. It is very difficult to separate legend from history when it comes to their lives and martyrdom. They are venerated today as healing saints, and many faithful turn to them for healing.

They are the patron saints of surgeons and pharmacists.

Biography of Saints Cosmas and Damian

Cosmas and Damian are believed to have been born around the year 260. They were twins and likely originated from Arabia. They earned medical degrees in Syria. They were imbued with a deep faith instilled in them by their very pious mother. They practiced medicine in Cilicia, a province in southern Turkey, now the Anana region. They were known for their skills as doctors and healers, which they exercised without charge. This earned them the title “anargyres,” meaning “without money,” because they treated patients “without payment.” Thanks to their unwavering faith and their distaste for money, their numerous healings, and certain miracles —the most famous being the grafting of an entire leg—they led many to convert to Christ.

However, because of these miracles and conversions, the Romans began to worry that the people would no longer make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Emperor Diocletian had, in any case, resumed his persecution of Christians. At the turn of the 4th century (the dates are uncertain), the prefect Lysias summoned them to appear before him, along with their three brothers, Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius, who followed them everywhere. Refusing to renounce Christ, the five brothers then endured a long martyrdom. Miraculously spared from the pain or the blows inflicted upon them—and no doubt deeply honored by the martyrdom they endured—life would not leave their bodies, and they had to be beheaded to end their suffering.

A cult of the twins quickly took root. In Cyr, north of Antioch in Syria, a basilica was erected in honor of the miracle-working saints in the fifth century, and their bodies were buried there. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian, healed through their intercession, built a church for them in Constantinople, which became a place of pilgrimage and housed their relics. At the same time, first a chapel and then a basilica were erected in Rome in their name, housing the saints’ relics. Saints Cosmas and Damian were, in fact, the first saints to find their way into the heart of imperial Rome. The veneration of the two saints spread throughout Europe thanks to the Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine (late 13th century). Their relics were then scattered throughout Europe.

It is said that it was before the San Damiano Cross that Saint Francis of Assisi discovered his vocation: to rebuild the Church of the Lord.

Pray to Saints Cosmas and Damian for healing

Prayer for Healing

“Beloved Saints Cosmas and Damian,

In the name of the Almighty. I seek your blessing and love. With the power to renew and regenerate,

With the power to nullify any negative effects arising from causes in the past and present,

I pray for the complete healing of my body and

(Say the names of your family members)

Now and forever, wishing for the light of the holy twins

Be in my heart!

Enliven my home

Every day, bring me peace, health, and tranquility.

Beloved Saints Cosmas and Damian,

I promise that if I receive this grace, I will never forget you!

So be it,

Thank you, Saints Cosmas and Damian

Amen!”

Second Prayer for Healing

“With all the humility of our hearts and all our affection, we honor and invoke you, O Martyrs of Jesus Christ, Saints Cosmas and Damian, and, together with the Church, we offer you a tribute of praise and glory; convinced that Almighty God has given you power and glory to protect and intercede on behalf of those who faithfully honor you on this earth, we will never cease to call upon you, that we may find help and assistance in all our needs. We implore you, O holy and glorious Martyrs of Jesus Christ, who, while you lived on this earth, practiced medicine with admirable charity, treating the most incurable infirmities and the most contagious diseases without charge, using as remedies not only medicines but also the glorious Name of Jesus Christ. Now that you have become mighty in Heaven, we implore you: turn your compassionate eyes toward us, poor and wretched sinners that we are, and see how, on this earth, we are exposed to all manner of evils, both spiritual and physical. We implore you, stand by us and help us in our illnesses and in all our tribulations. Finally, we ask you to intercede not only for us, but also for all those close to us—our relatives, our families, our friends, and all our enemies, so that we may all be healed of the infirmities of body and mind, and that, at the end of this life, together with you, we may enjoy the glory of Heaven. Amen!”

Pray with Hozana

On Hozana, discover many communities where you can pray and walk with the saints. Deepen your knowledge of the saints and your spiritual life.

Following in the footsteps of Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for the healing of our loved ones through this prayer community.

You can also pray for inner healing here, so that Jesus may help you rediscover peace and deep joy.