Saint

Saints Cosmas and Damian

Saints Cosmas and Damian, Church of Saint Peter in Teruel (Spain).

Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers who lived in the 3rd century AD and are revered as martyrs. Born in Cilicia, a region on the southeastern coast of Asia Minor, they worked as physicians in the port city of Aegea (now Ayas, Turkey). Known for providing free medical services, they were called Anargyroi (Greek for “the silverless”) due to their refusal to accept payment. Their charity is believed to have led to many conversions to Christianity. The brothers are credited with several miracles, including a legendary leg transplant in which they replaced a man’s lost leg with that of a deceased Moor.

Under Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, they were arrested, tortured, and eventually beheaded for their faith. Veneration of Cosmas and Damian began soon after their deaths, with churches dedicated to them appearing in Jerusalem, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. In 527, Pope Felix III converted the Temple of Romulus in Rome into a basilica in their honor. Their skulls are kept in the Clarisses convent in Madrid, though other relics exist in cities like Munich, Vienna, and Venice.

Cosmas and Damian are patron saints of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and the sick, as well as barbers and confectioners. Their feast day is celebrated on September 26. They are also invoked for protection against seasickness, inflammation, and plague. In Dutch history, two major floods, known as the Cosmas and Damian Floods, occurred on their feast day in 1477 and 1509, causing significant damage to Zeeland and Flanders.

Archangel St. Michael: Defender and Judge

Archangel St. Michael (~ 1425), Museum of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Archangel St. Michael, one of the most venerated figures in Roman Catholic theology, is celebrated for his dual roles as a mighty warrior against evil and as a just arbiter on Judgment Day. In his iconic depiction, Michael is often shown in the midst of a fierce battle with a dragon, symbolizing his eternal struggle against the forces of darkness. Armed and majestic, he defeats the dragon, embodying the triumph of good over evil.

Equally significant is Michael's role in the divine judgment of souls. On Judgment Day, he is portrayed weighing the souls of the deceased, determining their fate with fairness and integrity. This powerful image underscores his importance not only as a protector but also as a guardian of divine justice, ensuring that righteousness prevails in the eternal balance. Through these vital roles, St. Michael stands as a beacon of hope and justice, revered by many across the world.