Saints Cosmas and Damian were brothers who lived in Asia Minor no later than the fourth century. The Orthodox Church glorifies them as silverless and miracle—working doctors who devoted their lives to helping others and never took payment for healing.

The brothers' father was a pagan, and their mother, Saint Theodotia, was a Christian. Widowed at an early age, she devoted herself to raising her sons, trying from childhood to instill in them love for God, mercy and compassion for people. Under her guidance, Cosmas and Damian studied the Holy Scriptures, and later mastered the art of medicine, learned how to recognize diseases and use the healing properties of plants.

The Lord blessed their labors and granted them the special grace of healing. People suffering from serious illnesses came to the brothers, but often the saints themselves went in search of those who needed help. They moved from village to village, treating the poor and rich, young and old, making no distinction between people.

The brothers did not accept any money or gifts for their efforts. They followed the gospel commandment of the Savior.: "We have received freely, give freely" (Matthew 10:8). That is why the Church calls them silverless. By healing bodily diseases, the saints also took care of people's souls, encouraging them to believe in Christ and live a virtuous life.

The mercy of Cosmas and Damian extended not only to humans, but also to animals. According to the hagiography, one day the brothers found a barely alive camel in a deserted place, healed it and set it free. Later, an amazing event turned out to be connected with this animal.

One day, the brothers healed a woman named Palladia, who had been suffering from a serious illness for many years. Wanting to thank her benefactors, she offered them rich gifts, but was refused. Then the woman persuaded Damian to accept only three eggs, conjuring him in the name of the Holy Trinity. Damian agreed not for the sake of reward, but out of reverence for the name of God.

Upon learning about this, Kosma was upset, deciding that his brother had violated their common vow of non-possessiveness, and bequeathed not to bury them together. However, the Lord appeared to him and revealed that Damian had not accepted the gift out of greed.

Both brothers ended their earthly lives peacefully. When, after Damian's death, people were wondering how to fulfill Cosmas' will, the same healed camel appeared. According to the testimony of the life, the animal announced in a human voice that the brothers should be buried together. So their bodies were laid in a tomb in the town of Fereman.

And after the death of the saints, miracles did not stop. The sick came to their relics, receiving healing through prayers to the silverless. The life has preserved numerous testimonies of the miraculous help of the brothers.

In Russia, Cosmas and Damian were especially revered not only as healers, but also as patrons of children and students. They were prayed to before learning to read and write, asking for help in acquiring knowledge and wisdom.