Synaxarium

On this day, we commemorate the consecration of the church of the saints Cosmas and Damian and their brothers Intimos, Leontius, and Abrabios, and their mother Theodote. They were from one of the Arab lands, and their mother feared God, loved strangers, and was merciful. She was widowed while they were young, so she raised them and taught them the fear of the Lord.

Cosmas and Damian learned the profession of medicine and treated the sick without charge, while their brothers went into the wilderness and became monks. When Diocletian became an unbeliever and ordered the worship of idols, he was informed about Cosmas and Damian that they preached in every city about the Lord Jesus Christ and incited people not to worship idols. So he ordered their arrest and handed them over to the governor of the city, who tortured them with various kinds of torment. Then he inquired from them about the whereabouts of their brothers, and when he learned it, he summoned them and their mother as well. He ordered the five to be pressed in a press, but when no harm came to them, he threw them into a fiery furnace for three days and three nights. Then he cast them into a heated bath, and finally placed them on a bed of hot iron. In all these, the Lord strengthened and healed them. When the governor grew tired of torturing them, he sent them to the king, who also tortured them. Their mother comforted and encouraged them. The king rebuked her, and she cursed him to his face and cursed his unclean idols. He then ordered her beheading, and she received the crown of martyrdom. Her body was left exposed, and no one dared to bury it. Saint Cosmas cried out during this, saying: "O people of this city, is there no one among you with mercy to cover the body of this old widow and bury her?" Then Biktor son of Romanos came forward, took the body, and buried it.

When the king learned what Biktor had done, he ordered his exile to the lands of Egypt, where he received the crown of martyrdom. The next day, the king ordered the beheading of saints Cosmas, Damian, and their brothers. They received the crown of life in the kingdom of heaven. After the persecution ended, many churches were built for them, where the Lord showed many signs and wonders. Their intercession be with us. To our Lord be glory forever. Amen.