Martyrs Cosmas, Damian, Leontius and others

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 'It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 'Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 'You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'* But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 'You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,* and hate your enemy.*' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.

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	Martyrs Cosmas, Damian, Leontius and others

Brothers Cosmas and Damian have been venerated since ancient time both in the East and in the West. The twin brothers were born in Arabia in the middle of the 3rd century. Having studied medicine they traveled the towns and villages of Arabia preaching faith and curing people and even animals through Christ’s power. They refused to take any payment. Thus many pagans were converted to Christianity.

Under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305) Cosmas and Damian came to the Kili region of Asia Minor, where they were persecuted by the prefect Lisius. They were arrested, tortured for a long time in an attempt to make them renounce Christ and finally beheaded in the year 303. Along with them the Christian brothers Leontius, Anthim and Euthropius died a martyrs death.

Their sacred relics were buried in the Syrian town of Kir, where many were cured through the healing power ensuing from the relics. In gratitude for being healed by Saints Cosmas and Damian from a serious illness, Emperor Justian (527-565) rebuilt and decorated their church in Constantinople. That church has become a place of pilgrimage for the entire east. As physicians disinterested in profit, Cosmas and Damian are revered as saint patrons of doctors and are depicted on some medical emblems. (We know three pairs of brothers among saints, who were called Cosmas and Damian). Apart from the twin brothers from Arabia described above, there were brothers Cosmas and Damian who lived in Asia Minor and died peacefully in Mesopotamia in the 3rd century. They are commemorated on November 1 according to the church calendar. We also venerate the Roman brothers Cosmas and Damian, who suffered under the Emperor Karin (283-284) and are commemorated on July 1 old calendar.

Troparion, Tone 3:
With steadfast heart thou didst finish thy course/ and cast down the wily foe;/ for thou wast clad in the armor of the Cross,/ O blessed Leonty/ thou wast numbered with the Martyr hosts/ and hast attained to eternal glory./ Ever entreat Christ our God to save us who honor thee.

Kontakion, Tone 2:
As a living temple of Christ the Lord/ thou didst destroy the ungodly temple,/ and didst build a dwelling in Paradise, O Martyr Leonty,/ by thy steadfast toils in martyrdom.

Source: http://www.fatheralexander.org

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