The great dispensers of God’s abundant mercy for the body and the soul, Saints Cosmas and Damian used their medicinal training as the outward explanation for the healing they wrought for their patients through calling on the Name of Jesus Christ. At this holy Name, both illnesses and demons fled instantly. Their fame having spread, they were denounced to the authorities in Rome. At first, the faithful prevailed upon them to hide in the mountains so they could continue their ministry. When, however, the pagans captured other Christians to endure torture and martyrdom in their place, the Saints chased down the convoy and revealed themselves to be the men for which they were looking. While they were being interrogated by the Emperor Carinus in Rome, the Saints pronounced the Lord’s therapeutic judgment on the Emperor who was inflicted with a twisting of his spine. In that state, acknowledged the God of the Christians and cried out for his help. He was delivered from the condition at the prayers of Saints Cosmas and Damian and accepted the Faith then and there. The saints were released, by the enemy never stopped looking for a chance to silence the holy unmercenaries. One day they were lured into the wilderness by a man who had befriended them for the purpose of getting close to them. Once there, he threw himself on them, murdered, them and buried their bodies in a shallow grave. When they didn’t return, the people began to search for them. Along the way, they encountered a man whom all knew to be demon possessed calm and in his right mind. When they asked him how he had been delivered, he took them to a place where he said he had been overcome by divine power. There they found the bodies of the two Saints. Since then, they have never ceased to work deliverance and healings for those who asked for their intercession.
Hymnography
Ye physicians of the sick and treasuries of healings, ye saviors of the faithful, O all-famed Unmercenaries, heal them that are in pain and cry out in need, as ye entreat the Good God that He deliver us from the snares of the enemy.
(The Entreaty, Fifth Troparion; Vespers)
Ye were see to be swords mortally wounding invisible adversaries; wherefore deliver us from their arrows also, and preserver our life, O wise Unmercenaries.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Strengthened with the might of Christ, ye have utterly destroyed all the power of him that is mighty in evil; from whose tyranny deliver us, as our unsleeping protectors, O Unmercenaries.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having received the grace of healing, ye extend health to those in need, O glorious and wonderworking physicians. Hence, by your visitation, cast down the audacity of our enemies, and by your miracles, heal the world.
(Kontakion; Orthros Canon)
Committing your pure spirits unto the Lord, O Unmercenaries, ye received from Him the grace ever to drive out unclean spirits, from whose bitter wickedness do ye rescue us all.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Gushing forth as rivers with the Spirit’s mightily flowing tides, pouring forth as a spreading sea, ye water creation with wonders and divine signs; with your cures, O God-bearers, which ye wondrously bestow, ye dry up sufferings that undermine the soul; ye heal our hard diseases and make unclean spirits to flee in fear, O ye Unmercenary Saints, who entreat in our souls’ behalf.
(Praises, First Troparion; Orthros)
Having the source of healing, O holy Unmercenaries, ye grant healing to all that make supplication, since ye have been deemed worthy of great gifts from the ever-flowing fountain of Christ the Savior. For the Lord hath said unto you, since ye have zeal like the Apostles: Behold, I have given you authority over unclean spirits, that ye might cast them out and heal every disease and every sickness. Wherefore, having lived well by His commandments, freely ye received, freely ye give, healing the passions of our souls and bodies.
(Praises, Doxastikon; Orthros)