{"id":1607,"date":"2026-11-05T19:59:49","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/?post_type=akathist&#038;p=1607"},"modified":"2026-11-05T19:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:49","slug":"akathist-unmercenaries-cosmas-damian","status":"publish","type":"akathist","link":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/akathists\/akathist-unmercenaries-cosmas-damian\/","title":{"rendered":"Akathist to the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian of Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"of-akathist\">\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to be physicians of souls and bodies, you healed the sick without payment, freely giving what you had freely received, O holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ the Physician for us, that we may be healed by His grace and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1<\/h3><p>You were born in Asia Minor to a pagan father and a Christian mother, Theodotia. When your father died, your mother devoted herself to raising you in the faith of Christ, and she taught you to love God and your neighbor. Honoring this holy mother, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, children of the land of Asia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, sons of the holy Theodotia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your mother raised you in the faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for she taught you to love God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for she taught you to love your neighbor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you grew together in grace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for brothers in blood became brothers in Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, fruit of a mother\u2019s prayers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 2<\/h3><p>Your mother had you taught the medical art, and you studied it with diligence, together with the Holy Scriptures. You learned to heal the body, but you desired above all to heal souls, singing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 2<\/h3><p>Knowing that all healing comes from God, you prayed over the sick and treated them with your skill, and the Lord granted them healing through your hands. Marveling at your faith and learning, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you studied the art of medicine;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you also studied the Scriptures;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you knew that all healing comes from God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you prayed over the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you joined prayer to skill;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Lord healed through your hands;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you served the sick with love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, physicians taught by God;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 3<\/h3><p>Hearing the words of the Lord, \u201cFreely you have received, freely give,\u201d you resolved never to accept payment for your healing. You gave freely the gift you had received, and you sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 3<\/h3><p>For this, the Church calls you Unmercenaries, physicians who take no money, and your example has inspired Christian physicians through the ages. Rejoicing in your generosity, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you took no payment for your healing;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave freely what you received;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you obeyed the word of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are called the Unmercenaries;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you served the poor without reward;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you sought only the glory of God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your example inspires physicians;<\/li><li>Rejoice, generous healers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 4<\/h3><p>You traveled through towns and villages, healing every disease and infirmity, and you used each healing to speak of Christ, the true Physician of souls. Many believed and sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 4<\/h3><p>You cared not only for people but also for animals, for you knew that the Creator cares for every creature He has made. Seeing your compassion for all creation, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you traveled to heal the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you spoke of Christ to those you healed;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for many believed through your works;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you healed every disease;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you cared even for animals;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved all God\u2019s creatures;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you showed the mercy of the Creator;<\/li><li>Rejoice, healers of all creation;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 5<\/h3><p>Your fame spread throughout the land, and the sick came to you from every place. You received them all with love and gave all the glory to God, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 5<\/h3><p>You lived in poverty and humility, sharing whatever you had with those in need, and you never sought honor or reward from men. Learning from your humility, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for the sick came to you from every place;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you received all with love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave all the glory to God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you lived in poverty;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you shared what you had;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you sought no honor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were humble in your gifts;<\/li><li>Rejoice, servants of the sick;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 6<\/h3><p>A woman named Palladia, whom you had healed of a long illness, pressed Damian to accept three eggs in the name of the Holy Trinity. He accepted them so as not to grieve her, but Cosmas was saddened, and you both sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 6<\/h3><p>Cosmas asked that he not be buried beside his brother, thinking he had broken your vow. Yet Damian had accepted not as payment, but out of love and in the name of the Trinity. Learning the wisdom of discernment, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you healed Palladia of her long illness;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for she offered three eggs in the name of the Trinity;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Damian accepted so as not to grieve her;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Cosmas was zealous for your vow;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Damian acted out of love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us discernment;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for zeal and love were joined in you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, brothers who loved the truth;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 7<\/h3><p>You reposed in peace, one after the other, in a good old age. When the people were about to bury you in separate places, according to Cosmas\u2019 wish, a camel you had once healed spoke with a human voice and revealed Damian\u2019s intention. Seeing the wonder, the people sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 7<\/h3><p>At this sign from God, the people buried you together at Pheremanis, and the brothers who had been one in life were not divided in death. Marveling at God\u2019s wisdom, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you reposed in peace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God revealed Damian\u2019s pure intention;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for a camel you had healed bore witness;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were buried together;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were not divided in death;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God vindicated your love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Pheremanis received your relics;<\/li><li>Rejoice, brothers united forever;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 8<\/h3><p>After your repose, many healings took place at your tomb, and the sick who came with faith were healed by the grace of God. The faithful glorified the Lord, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 8<\/h3><p>Your memory spread through all the Churches, and churches and hospitals were dedicated to you in Constantinople, in Rome and in many lands. Rejoicing in your honor, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for healings flowed at your tomb;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the sick were healed by God\u2019s grace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your memory spread through the Churches;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for churches were dedicated to you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for hospitals bear your name;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are honored in East and West;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are named in the prayers of the Church;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of the Unmercenaries;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 9<\/h3><p>The Church honors three pairs of holy Unmercenaries named Cosmas and Damian, of Asia, of Rome and of Arabia, and together they show that the gift of healing is given for the service of all. With them, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 9<\/h3><p>In the blessing of waters and in the anointing of the sick, the Church calls upon you among the holy Unmercenaries, asking your prayers for those who suffer. Joining our voices to hers, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for the Church honors you among the Unmercenaries;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are remembered with Panteleimon;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are named with Cyrus and John;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are invoked in the blessing of waters;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are named in the anointing of the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for those who suffer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the gift of healing serves all;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friends of the sick;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 10<\/h3><p>Desiring the salvation of all, Christ heals both soul and body, and He calls physicians to serve Him in the sick. You show how medicine can be a ministry of the Gospel, and you sing with us: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 10<\/h3><p>You are a light for all physicians, nurses and caregivers, teaching them to serve the sick with skill, prayer and love, and to see in each patient the image of God. Asking your prayers for all who heal, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, patrons of physicians;<\/li><li>Rejoice, guides of nurses and caregivers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach skill joined to prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you see the image of God in the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show that medicine is a ministry;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you call healers to humility;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you encourage the generous;<\/li><li>Rejoice, models of Christian medicine;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 11<\/h3><p>Every hymn falls short of your love, O holy Unmercenaries, for you gave your lives in service to the suffering. Receive our song, offered with love, as we sing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 11<\/h3><p>In our age of costly medicine, you remind the world that healing is a gift of God, to be shared with the poor. Calling on your prayers for those who cannot afford care, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you remind us that healing is a gift;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you call us to share it with the poor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for those without care;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you encourage free clinics and charity;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comfort the chronically ill;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you strengthen the dying;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you console those who grieve;<\/li><li>Rejoice, hope of the suffering;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 12<\/h3><p>The grace of God works through your prayers, and many who call on you in sickness find comfort, patience and healing according to His will. Glorifying the Lord, the Physician of souls and bodies, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 12<\/h3><p>Singing of your service, we praise Christ, who made you physicians and wonderworkers. We honor your memory, together with your holy mother Theodotia, and we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, sons of Theodotia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, physicians taught by God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, healers who took no reward;<\/li><li>Rejoice, servants of the poor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friends of all creatures;<\/li><li>Rejoice, brothers united in life and death;<\/li><li>Rejoice, patrons of physicians;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of the land of Asia;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 13<\/h3><p>O holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, receive this our hymn of praise. Pray to Christ our God, the true Physician, that He may heal our souls and bodies according to His will, bless all who care for the sick, and grant us to stand with you in His Kingdom, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-rubric\">This kontakion is said three times.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>You were born in Asia Minor to a pagan father and a Christian mother, Theodotia. When your father died, your mother devoted herself to raising you in the faith of Christ, and she taught you to love God and your neighbor. Honoring this holy mother, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, children of the land of Asia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, sons of the holy Theodotia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your mother raised you in the faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for she taught you to love God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for she taught you to love your neighbor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you grew together in grace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for brothers in blood became brothers in Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, fruit of a mother\u2019s prayers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to be physicians of souls and bodies, you healed the sick without payment, freely giving what you had freely received, O holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ the Physician for us, that we may be healed by His grace and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, physicians who healed freely for Christ!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"ak-rule\"><h3 class=\"ak-label\">Prayer<\/h3><p>O holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, you who received the gift of healing and gave it freely to all, who served the poor without reward and cared for every creature, we come to you with faith and ask your prayers.<\/p><p>Pray to Christ our God for all who are sick, that He may heal them according to His will and give them patience and hope; for physicians, nurses and caregivers, that He may give them skill, compassion and humility; and for the poor who cannot afford care, that He may provide for them through the generosity of others. Pray also for mothers who raise their children in the faith, as your mother Theodotia did. Help us, by your example, to give freely what we have freely received.<\/p><p>Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us health of soul and body, and a peaceful end, so that with you we may glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Holy Unmercenary Physicians and Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian of Asia, and their mother Theodotia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","liturgical_season":[],"class_list":["post-1607","akathist","type-akathist","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/akathist"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1621,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1607\/revisions\/1621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"liturgical_season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/liturgical_season?post=1607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}