Sts. Cosmas and Damianos

The Unmercenaries

The patron Saints of the national Philoptochos Society are Saints Cosmas and Damianos. During the 4^th century, Cosmas and Damianos were physician brothers who became known as the Holy “Unmercenaries.” Their fame spread throughout the Empire as they invariably assisted the poor and the afflicted without the desire for any compensation. Because of the similar Christian dedication to the poor and the destitute, the Philoptochos Society chose to celebrate the founding of their organization with the feast day of these saints, which is November 1. The word philoptochos is the compound Greek word, “philos” and “ptochos” which mean “friend of the poor.”