Description

The twin brothers Cosmas and Damian operated as Agioi Anárgyroi, or ‘holy moneyless’, doctors who performed their work free of charge. They are said to have converted many to Christianity through their lifestyle. Under the reign of Carinus (283-284), they were arrested, tortured and murdered. They were known as saints as early as the beginning of the 6th century, when the temple of Romulus near the Forum Romanum was converted into a church dedicated to the two brothers. Cosmas and Damian are the patron saints of doctors, pharmacists and other medical professions.