The Malankara (Indian) Orthodox
Church has by God's providence in these times been blessed to see if it will
follow the path by the Saints. On January 22, 2013 we commemorate with our
Sister Syrian Church St. Cosma & St. Damian (+306)
St. Cosmas (Kozman), Damian, their brothers, Anthimus, Londius, and Abrabius and their mother Theodata. They were from one of the Arab countries. Their mother feared God and was compassionate and merciful towards strangers and the needy. She became a widow, while her children were young. She raised them and taught them the fear of God. Cosmas and Damian studied medicine, and they treated the sick freely. As for their brothers, they went to the desert and became monks. When Diocletian renegaded the faith and ordered the worship of idols, he was told that Cosmas and Damian were preaching in the Name of the Lord Christ in every city and urging others not to worship the idols. He commanded them brought and delivered to the governor of the city, who tortured them with different kinds of tortures. Then he asked them the whereabouts of their brothers. Upon finding out, he brought the brothers and their mother. He ordered them to raise incense for the idols, but they refused. Then he ordered the five to be squeezed through the wheel.
http://st-takla.org/Full-Free-Coptic-Books/Coptic-Synaxarium-or-Synaxarion_English/03-Hatoor/Coptic-Calendar_22-Hator.html
St. Cosmas (Kozman), Damian, their brothers, Anthimus, Londius, and Abrabius and their mother Theodata. They were from one of the Arab countries. Their mother feared God and was compassionate and merciful towards strangers and the needy. She became a widow, while her children were young. She raised them and taught them the fear of God. Cosmas and Damian studied medicine, and they treated the sick freely. As for their brothers, they went to the desert and became monks. When Diocletian renegaded the faith and ordered the worship of idols, he was told that Cosmas and Damian were preaching in the Name of the Lord Christ in every city and urging others not to worship the idols. He commanded them brought and delivered to the governor of the city, who tortured them with different kinds of tortures. Then he asked them the whereabouts of their brothers. Upon finding out, he brought the brothers and their mother. He ordered them to raise incense for the idols, but they refused. Then he ordered the five to be squeezed through the wheel.
When they experienced no harm, he took them
out and cast them in red-hot fire for three days and three nights then cast
them in a hot steaming room. Finally, he placed them on red-hot iron beds.
Through all this, the Lord strengthened and healed them. When the governor
became weary of torturing them, he sent them to the Emperor who also tortured
them. Their mother constantly encouraged them and comforted them. The Emperor
rebuked her, and she cursed him in his presence and also cursed his idols. He ordered
her head cut off, and she received the crown of martyrdom. Her body remained on
the ground, no one dared to bury it, because of their fear of the Emperor. St.
Cosmas screamed at those present saying, "Men of the city, is there not
one merciful person among you who will cover the body of this poor old widow
and bury her?" Straightway, Victor, Ebn-Romanus, came forward and took the
body, shrouded it, then buried it. When the Emperor heard what Victor had done,
he ordered him to be exiled to Egypt where he received the crown of martyrdom.
The next day, the Emperor ordered the beheading of Sts.Cosmas, Damian, and
their brothers. They received the crown of life in the Kingdom of Heaven. After
the time of persecution was over, many churches were built for them, where God
manifested many signs and wonders.
May their intercession be with us and Glory be
to God forever. Amen.
