Cosmas the physician and Damian the apothecary were twin brothers born in the Middle East. They studied sciences in Syria and became well known for their skills in medicine, setting up private practice in Cilicia, where they were called “the silverless” or the “unmercenaries” because they treated patients free of charge. Their careers were cut short around 300 AD when they were martyred on September 26.
They are the patron saints of physicians, apothecaries, surgeons, chemists, pharmacists, midwives, the blind, barbers, hairdressers, and marital harmony.
