On this day, July 1 according to the Julian Calendar (July 14 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian, who were martyred in Rome in approximately the year 284 AD.
The Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian were blood brothers who lived in the city of Rome. Their Christian parents raised them in the fear of God and taught them the art of medicine. Distinguished for their piety, Cosmas and Damian treated the sick freely, asking no payment, after the example of Christ Who healed all without charge. Through their healings, many were brought to faith in God.
The brothers were betrayed to the pagan authorities and brought before the prefect Carinus. He subjected them to cruel tortures and finally commanded that they be beheaded. Together with them were martyred three of their companions in the faith.
The Church venerates Cosmas and Damian as Holy Unmercenaries — saints who gave freely what they freely received, in the spirit of the Lord’s own command (Matthew 10:8).
Note: The Orthodox Church commemorates three distinct pairs of saints named Cosmas and Damian: one pair from Arabia (November 1), one from Asia Minor (October 17), and the pair from Rome commemorated today (July 1 Old Style).
May the intercessions of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian of Rome be with us all.