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Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos: Saints Anargyri put Christ at the center of their entire livestranslated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

On the occasion of the feast of the glorious Anargyrian Saints Cosmas and Damian of Rome, the homonymous Church of the Local Community of Kriopigi celebrated, where on the evening of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the solemn Vespers was celebrated. The holy service was officiated by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos and Phanariofersalon, Mr. Timotheus, praying together with the holy clergy and the pious believers who came to honor the memory of the miraculous and unloved doctors of our Church. In his address to the congregation, our Seventh Pastor took the occasion of the holy memory of Saints Anargyros Cosmas and Damianos, in order to highlight the deeper meaning of their lives and martyrdom, pointing out that many times the faithful come to the feasts of the Saints, worship their holy icons and relics, listen to the hymns that the Church composed for in their honor and participate in the religious gatherings, but without delving into the essential message that their lives highlight. Especially, as he pointed out, this is the case with the Holy Martyrs, whose sacrifice is not just a historical event, but a permanent invitation to every Christian...

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Анна Зайцева

Thanks for the article. I especially remember how Bishop Timothy said that we often come to the patronal feast, kiss the icons and listen to the service, but do not delve into the very meaning of the lives of the saints. Here in Minsk, at the Anufrievskaya Church, this also happens to Kosma and Damian. What do you think is the most important thing about their example for the average person today?

Екатерина Попова

Thanks for the article. Especially because Vladyka Timothy directly said: we kiss icons, stand at services, but do not delve into the meaning of the lives of saints. Here in Yekaterinburg on Kosmodamianovskaya it’s also often like this - people will come, light a candle and go on about their business. But they built their whole lives around Christ, even healing for free.

Jana Nováková

Yes, exactly as Vladyka Timotheos writes - we will come, kiss the icon, stand at the vespers and then return to ordinary things. Here in Michalovci, on the feast of Cosmas and Damian, it is the same, people take the oil and go home without thinking that those saints gave their whole lives around Christ. Let's at least try to read their biography in its entirety this year, not just an excerpt from the sermons.

Пётр Семёнов

Thank you, Anna. Yes, Vladyka definitely noticed - we often ignore the main thing. For me, the most important thing about Cosmas and Damian today is that they treated for free and put Christ at the center of everything, even when it cost them their lives. Do people often gather on Anufrievskaya Street in Minsk for their day, or more out of habit?

Софья Зайцева

Thank you, Anna. In Kazan, at such holidays, too, there is often a crowd standing, and then they disperse as if they had not heard anything. For me, the main thing about Cosmas and Damian is that they did not trade faith and help, they did everything for free, because Christ for them was not just an icon, but life itself. In Minsk, do people stay to talk after the service or do they immediately leave?

Zuzana Nováková

You're right, Jana, it's the same here in Svidník - we come to dinner, take oil and go on. This year I actually read their entire resume and I was surprised how little they cared about money even though they were doctors. Let's try to think it through at least once, not just during the sermon.

Екатерина Белова

Thank you, Peter. On Anufrievskaya, on the day of Cosmas and Damian, more people actually gather than on ordinary weekdays, but I would not say that everyone comes precisely for their example of free help. More often it is seen that people ask for health for themselves or their loved ones. Have you ever tried to read the entire life, and not just the troparion?

Светлана Соловьёва

Thank you, Ekaterina. Here in Kröpig, too, people mostly ask for health, that’s true. And I read the entire life a couple of years ago, when I was in the hospital after surgery - that’s when I was especially struck by how they didn’t take payment even from the rich. Do you yourself often re-read the lives of saints?

Peter Kováč

Yes, Jana, that's exactly what Vladyka says - it happens here in Michalovce year after year, people take away the little oil and forget that Kosma and Damianos didn't even have their own house. This year I read their whole life up to the martyrdom in Rome and I was surprised how their faith was stronger than their medical art. Maybe we could talk about it at the next parish meeting?