Ss. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs (27 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the inspiring lives of Saints Cosmas and Damian, brothers, physicians and Christian martyrs commemorated on September 27. Born in Arabia, Cosmas and Damian studied medicine in Syria and became renowned for their knowledge and skill. As Christians filled with supernatural charity, they regarded their medical profession as an opportunity to serve Christ by relieving the suffering of their neighbors. The brothers treated the sick with great care and remarkable success, but they refused to accept payment for their services. For this reason, Christians in the East honored them as the Anargyroi—the “Unmercenary Physicians” or “moneyless ones.” Cosmas and Damian lived at Aegeae in Cilicia. Their charitable service earned the love and gratitude of the people, while their medical work provided continual opportunities to proclaim the Christian faith. When Emperor Diocletian’s persecution began, two such prominent Christians could not remain concealed. Governor Lysias ordered their arrest, and after subjecting them to various torments, condemned the brothers to death by beheading around the year 303. Their bodies were taken into Syria and buried at Cyrrhus. During the fifth century, Bishop Theodoret described their relics as resting in a church dedicated to them and praised the brothers as illustrious champions and valiant defenders of the faith of Jesus Christ. Emperor Justinian later enlarged and fortified the city of Cyrrhus out of reverence for their relics. After recovering from a dangerous illness through their intercession, he also built a magnificent church in their honor at Constantinople. Numerous miracles were attributed to the intercession of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Their relics were eventually brought to Rome, where Pope Saint Felix constructed a church in their honor. Their names remain enshrined in the Roman Canon of the Mass. Their lives teach us that ordinary professional work can become a path to sanctity when it is motivated by authentic charity. Those who serve their neighbors through medicine, business, skilled labor or family life can sanctify their work by performing it with justice, mercy and love. This reading comes from Butler’s Lives of the Saints by Father Alban Butler. 00:00 Butler’s Lives of the Saints 00:08 Saints Cosmas and Damian 00:17 Brothers and physicians from Arabia 00:26 Practicing medicine with Christian charity 00:35 The physicians who accepted no payment 00:42 The Unmercenary Physicians 00:50 Healing bodies and spreading the faith 00:58 The persecution of Diocletian 01:07 Arrested by Governor Lysias 01:16 Their martyrdom by beheading 01:23 Their shrine at Cyrrhus 01:31 Champions of the Christian faith 01:38 Emperor Justinian honors their relics 01:45 Their church in Constantinople 02:02 Justinian’s healing through their intercession 02:16 Miracles of Saints Cosmas and Damian 02:24 Their relics and church in Rome 02:33 Medicine as an act of charity 02:42 Loving and serving our neighbors 02:57 Imitating the goodness of God 03:23 God as the source of mercy 03:38 Christian perfection and true charity 03:46 Sanctifying our professional work 04:00 Supporting oneself and one’s family https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/ss-cosmas-and-damian-martyrs/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #LivesOfTheSaints #Catholic #Saints #FeastDay #CosmasAndDamian #ChristianFaith #Martyrs #CatholicSaints #Faith #Christianity #SaintStories #CatholicChurch 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

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• Suffering & Trials