Sts. Cosmas and Damian Day

Sts. Cosmas and Damian Day

September 27Legend has Cosmas (also Cosme or Cosmo) and Damian as twin brothers from Syria who were brought up in the Christian faith and who devoted their lives to medicine. As doctors they refused payment for their services, instead asking those who benefited from their healing to believe in Christ. What can be reasonably asserted is that they probably lived and were martyred in Syria during or before the fifth century.
In Brazil, the feast of Cosmas and Damian is celebrated on September 27 and it is traditional to give candy to children, since the saints are patrons of children. Yoruban mythology, which lives on through African Brazilians, tells of another set of holy twins, who are often associated with Cosmas and Damian.
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 161
BkFest-1937, p. 151
BkHolWrld-1986, Sep 27
OxYear-1999, p. 389