Hidar 22 — December 01

The Kind Doctors and Their Brave Family

Today we remember a family who loved God dearly: two brothers named Cosmas and Damianus, their three brothers, and their good mother, Theodata. They lived long ago in a faraway land called Arabia.

After their father died, their mother Theodata raised them all by herself. She had a kind, gentle heart, and she loved God. She gave many gifts to travelers who needed help, and she taught her children to love God too.

When Cosmas and Damianus grew up, they became doctors, helping sick people get well. But they were doctors of a rare kind: they healed everyone for free. They never asked for money, least of all from people who were poor. Their three brothers chose a quieter path and went to live in the desert as monks, giving their days to prayer.

In those days a ruler did not want people to follow Jesus. He told everyone to bow to statues instead of to God. But Cosmas and Damianus were not afraid. They kept teaching people about Jesus wherever they went.

The ruler had the whole family brought to him and tried hard to make them stop loving God. Again and again God protected them and kept them safe. Their mother Theodata cheered them on and told them to stay strong and brave. In the end, this faithful family gave their lives for God and went home to heaven, where they live with Him forever. People who hold on to God like that, even when it costs them their lives, are called martyrs. A kind man named Victor was brave too, and helped care for the family.

Later, when the hard times were over, God's people built a church to remember this loving family. And through them, God went on healing and helping many people.

Cosmas and Damianus healed everyone who was sick, without ever asking for money — especially those who were poor.

Salutation to the children of Theodata, who are to be praised.— from the Synaxarium

Many Friends Who Loved God Too

On this same day we also remember many friends of Saint Cosmas, a large group of men and women who loved God with all their hearts.

Just like Cosmas and Damianus, these friends would not stop following Jesus, no matter what. They stayed close to God and to each other, and they helped one another be brave. They all gave their lives for God and went home to heaven to be with Him forever.

It is a happy thing to know that the saints were never alone. They had family and friends standing right beside them, praying together and trusting God together. We can do that too. We can help our friends and family stay close to God, and they can help us. We ask all these holy friends to pray for us.