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Memory of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, the Church commemorates the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian, the female Martyrs Kyriaini and Juliana, and Saint David of Euboea.

The physicians Cosmas and Damian, who came from Asia, lost their father at an early age. Their mother, Theodote, provided them with both an excellent education and a Christian upbringing.

Having cultivated the Christian virtues, they devoted themselves diligently to the study and practice of medicine. They offered their medical knowledge freely, treating the sick with love, compassion, and respect, never accepting payment for their services. For this reason, the Church’s hymnography honors them as the Holy Unmercenaries (“Anargyroi”), reflecting the enduring recognition of the faithful.

The Saints acquired an imperishable treasure by placing their hope entirely in God. Firmly believing that “freely you have received; freely give,” they bestowed healing upon all without seeking wealth or earthly possessions. With joy, they continue to grant both spiritual and physical blessings to humanity. According to the Church’s tradition, they also healed animals, demonstrating God’s loving providence and care for all creation.

Saint…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Rachel Miller

I remember seeing a little vet clinic in Notting Hill with a small icon of Cosmas and Damian above the door, saying "Heal all creatures." It made me think of how they treated animals too—such a gentle reminder that God's care extends to every living thing.

Juliana King

I love how the article quotes "freely you have received; freely give" right in the text—it’s the exact phrase our parish clinic volunteers say before every shift. Do you think that’s why they’re called Anargyroi?

Тимофей Новиков

The Voronezh church hospital also hangs above the entrance: “If you received freely, give freely.” There are also tubs of geraniums on the windowsill, and doctors, as in the article, do not charge for vaccinations. It still works.

Juliana Wilson

Sister Martha says that exact phrase at the clinic opening every Tuesday—I heard her say it last week when I got my blood pressure checked. Do the volunteers say it before or after the morning shift?

Emily Adams

I think the volunteers say it right at the start of the shift, before they even open the doors. Last time I helped at the clinic, Sister Martha had us all repeat “freely you have received; freely give” together in the little back room. Did you stay for the whole morning after your blood pressure check?

Michael Young

Yeah, that verse fits those mornings perfectly. I remember Sister Martha saying it last year too, right before we started seeing folks. Did the line go all the way out to the sidewalk again this time?

Daniel Baker

Yeah, that "freely you have received" bit hits different when the clinic line snakes out to the footpath like it did yesterday. Sister Martha had us all chuckling about it again this morning. Did you end up helping with the animal checks too this time?

George Anderson

Yeah, that verse from Matthew always hits different when you say it out loud with everyone before the doors open. I only stayed for the first hour after my BP check, but Sister Martha had us repeat it twice because the new volunteer kept forgetting the words. Did you end up helping with the wound dressings again?

Photini Brown

Yeah, that Matthew verse always lands harder when we’re all saying it together before the doors open. I did help Sister Martha with the wound dressings again—mostly the simple ones on the older fellows. Did the new volunteer finally get the words straight by the end?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yeah, that Matthew verse always sticks with me too, especially the way Sister Martha makes us slow down on “freely give.” I stuck around for the wound dressings after you left—mostly rewrapping that one guy’s leg ulcer that keeps opening up. Did your BP check come back okay this time?

Xenia Phillips

That leg ulcer sounds like the same stubborn one Mr. Kowalski has been fighting for months. My BP was 128 over 78 this time, better than last week, thank God. Did Sister Martha say anything about changing the dressing schedule?