Saints Cosmas and Damian

The Church remembers Saints Cosmas and Damian. Their names are well known, especially if you listen to Eucharistic Prayer I or as it is commonly known as, "The Roman Canon." Whenever the saints are mentioned in that Eucharistic Prayer, they include Cosmas and Damian, which happen to be the last names on the list, so they do stand out. The only thing that is known about them comes from ancient documents that show their tombs are in Cyrrhus, Syria. A basilica was built there in their honor. Devotion to these two saints spread from there to Rome and eventually to the whole Church (Magnificat, 340). Saints Cosmas and Damian are also martyrs, which means they gave their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel. As one antiphon states, "The saints are happy in heaven because they followed Christ. They rejoice whtih him for ever because they shed their blood for him (340). The Church holds up these saints for us as models and examples. We pray that we may have the grace and strength to follow these saints and do all we can for the glory of God and the good of our brothers and sisters. Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us!!!