Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for November 1, 2018 - Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian
Our sacred ministry to those in need is our response to the grace and
compassion that has been shown to us by God through Christ. As Jesus guided
His disciples, He directs us to love one another as I have loved you (John
15:12).
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2017)
On this blessed Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian,
we are guided by their examples of holiness and compassion to offer service
to those in need. Influenced by the saintly life of their devout mother,
they chose to use their knowledge and skills for healing those with
sickness. They did this freely, with a focus on the well-being of body and
soul; and because of their love of God and neighbor, they were blessed with
the wisdom to preach the Gospel and with the power to heal through prayer.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2016)
On this sacred occasion of the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, I ask all
of our parishes to offer special prayers for the philanthropic ministries
of our Ecumenical Patriarchate and for the ongoing programs of our Ladies
Philoptochos Society at the local, metropolis, and national levels. I also
ask our parishes to take a special collection on Sunday, October 30 for the
National Ladies Philoptochos Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund. This is an
opportunity for all of us to participate in these ministries, as well as a
time for renewed commitment to our sacred ministry to minister to the least
of these (Matthew 25:40), to minister to Christ himself, as we serve all
who have needs.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2015)
On this feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian, we are
reminded by their faithful witness of the priority of serving those in
great need, especially the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the orphaned.
These two selfless and holy men gave their lives and abilities to helping
any who had need of healing and comfort. They were true stewards of the
power of Christ and the hope, restoration, and eternal life He offers.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2014)
We are led in this effort by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society, and
on Sunday, November 2, local chapters throughout our Holy Archdiocese will
have a special offering for these ministries. I ask that you contribute
generously to assist the work of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate at a
time when critical needs there and throughout the Middle East are growing.
As we are witnessing, long established ministries are challenged for
resources as new humanitarian crises and desperate pleas for assistance are
growing.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2013)
This commemoration of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian and our offering of
support to the philanthropic ministries of our Patriarchate represent the
very meaning of philanthropy. In response to God’s grace in their lives,
Cosmas and Damian used their skills to offer compassionate service to all.
Their motivation to respond was not based on the worthiness of a person,
nor was it dependent on the social or economic status of the one in need.
Freely they had received the power of healing through the grace of God, and
freely they gave as a witness of the true life that is found in Christ.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian (11/01/2012)
The Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian, commemorates
the Apostolic ministry of these two champions of faith and love and calls
each of us to follow the exhortation of Christ in our service to others.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2011)
On this feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Saints Cosmas and Damian, we
commemorate two great healers and preachers who offered a faithful witness
of Christ and the Gospel. This is evident when we read the Holy Scriptures
and see how many references are made to the healing and preaching ministry
of our Lord.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2010)
On this annual commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints
Cosmas and Damian, we give recognition and support to both our beloved
Ecumenical Patriarchate and our National Ladies Philoptochos Society for
their ongoing and intensive efforts to minister in the name of Christ to
those in need. The occasion of this Feast has become for us as the Greek
Orthodox Church in America a day for special prayers and offerings on
behalf of the philanthropic work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate through the
Baloukli Hospital and elder center and other institutions and programs that
assist orphans and the poor.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2009)
On this day when we commemorate the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian,
we are reminded by the lives and deeds of these two saints of the beautiful
parable of our Lord concerning the Good Samaritan. In the Gospel of Luke we
read of the compassion of the Samaritan who tended the wounds of the
injured traveler and arranged for his care until he was healed.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries - Sts. Cosmas and Damian (11/01/2008)
On November 1st of each year, our Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the
holy Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, two extraordinary brothers who were
renowned physicians and martyrs of the early Church. Born in Asia Minor,
these beloved saints of our Church earned a distinctive reputation for
offering their services of healing to those in need. In their deeds, Saints
Cosmas and Damian were living examples of the commandment of Christ to His
disciples: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out
demons. You received without paying, give without pay (Matthew 10:8). It is
for this reason that our Church bestows upon Saints Cosmas and Damian the
honorific distinction of “Holy Unmercenaries” (Agioi Anargyroi), for these
two great men took these words of Christ to their heart.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Sts. Cosmas and Damian (11/01/2007)
On November 1, our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Sts. Cosmas
and Damian, two remarkable physicians and brothers of 4th century Asia
Minor known on account of their generosity as the Holy Unmercenaries.
Today, Sts. Cosmas and Damian remain important examples not only as persons
who were early providers of medical care, but as men whose love for God and
neighbor knew no boundaries. As Saints of our Church, their lives also
serve as reminders that all of us are called to place the needs of others
as our primary interests, so that we might be instruments of the grace of
God, Who alone works wonders.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries - Saints Cosmas & Damian (11/01/2006)
During his earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ sent out his twelve
disciples commanding them to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"
(Matthew 10:7). He also directed them to "heal the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, and cast out demons" (10:8). This twofold mission of
preaching and healing was made possible by the divine power of God working
in and through the disciples, both for their own salvation and calling and
for those who received their word and ministry. This divine power brought
conviction and faith through the message offered by the disciples; and
through miraculous acts of healing, God’s power affirmed His loving and
gracious presence.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2005)
In her timeless offering of example, our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates on
November 1 the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, presenting to us two
remarkable physicians and brothers of 4th century Asia Minor. Known as the
Holy Unmercenaries, Sts. Cosmas and Damian were distinguished physicians,
who healed not only through the use of medicine but also through their holy
prayers.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian (11/01/2004)
On November 1, our Holy Orthodox Church commemorates Sts. Cosmas and
Damian. Known as the Holy Unmercanaries, Sts. Cosmas and Damian were men of
remarkable talent and faith, physicians who lived centuries ago and who
bequeathed to our modern world an enduring legacy of unlimited charity and
love of neighbor.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical For The Feast Day Of The Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2003)
On this joyous day we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, a
revered occasion that commemorates two time-honored Christian martyrs of
the early Church who were brothers and physicians of exceptional faith and
talent. Born in Asia Minor, Sts. Cosmas and Damian bequeathed to the entire
world a legacy of extraordinary and unforgettable generosity.
Read More »
Read More »
Encyclical for the Feast Day of the Holy Unmercenaries (11/01/2002)
In His undying love for humankind, our gracious God condescended to take on
human flesh, offering Himself up for the world so that we might be granted
eternal life. This indescribable act of mercy and humility constitutes a
tremendous challenge to all of us human beings to respond accordingly to
the love of our Creator.
Read More »
Read More »
Message on the Occasion of the Feast Day of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian (11/01/2000)
Saint John Chrysostom once wrote, A rich man is not one who has much, but
one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever. This
saying captures precisely the spirit of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the Holy
Anargyroi. These great healers gave liberally both of their material wealth
and of their spiritual treasures, using their medical practice to assist
the needy as well as to preach the Gospel. Freely they had received the
grace of God, freely they gave again, and thereby they became rich in good
works (1 Timothy 6:18).
Read More »
Read More »