Saints and Holy People

Find out about their lives and how they changed the world

Saints Cosmas and Damian (d. 303)

Saints Cosmas and Damian (d. 303)

Patron saints of barbers, pharmacists, physicians, and surgeons

Feast day: September 26




Cosmas and Damian were killed for their Christian faith. Other than the fact that they were martyrs, we know little about them. Legend says that they were twins who were skilled doctors in Arabia. They are venerated in that part of the world as “the Unmercenaries," that is, "the moneyless ones," because they took care of poor people and didn’t charge for their medical services. People who provide health care for others share in a special way in Christ’s healing ministry. (From Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens [Saint Mary’s Press])

(Image in public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)