As early as the 6th century, the Canon of the Mass recalled after those of the Apostles the names of twelve martyrs, including Cosmas and Damian. Throughout the East churches and sanctuaries dedicated to them were erected, and rapidly reached even the West, and Rome. Their worship began immediately after their death.
A less fanciful tradition speaks of arrest, torture and death by decapitation under Diocletian. Then they were chained and locked in a furnace, but not even the fire licked them.Įventually all five brothers were beheaded in the city of Cirro, near Antioch of Syria. Then they were thrown into the sea tied to heavy boulders, but the ropes that held them melted, and they were saved. But the stones rebounded on them, hitting the soldiers, and the tips of the arrows and spears did not scratch them. The legend tells that, arrested by the prefect of Cilicia, Damiano and Cosma were first stoned, then flogged, crucified and targeted by darts. Their being Christians marked their fate irremediably: they were all martyred, presumably during one of the persecutions promoted by the emperor Diocletian (284 – 305). Damian and his brothers studied in Syria and probably in Alexandria, at the schools of Theophrastus and Galen. Because he belonged to a wealthy family, he was able to guarantee them a good education, so much so that all five began a career as a doctor, but, above all, being a deeply religious and devoted woman, he educated them to the love of God. The mother, Toedora, or Teodata, later sanctified in turn, raised the five children by herself. The identity of the father is unknown, even if it seems to be a Christian who suffered martyrdom still very young. It belonged to a family of five brothers: Cosma (according to modern scholars the twin of Damiano), Antimo, Leonzio and Euprepio. Who was San Damiano?ĭamianus, or Damian, was a young doctor of Arab origin, born in the city of Aegean or Aigai in Cilicia (today known as Ayas of the Armenians, Turkey) and lived in the III century AD in what was then known as Roman Syria. In fact this type of cross, which strongly recalls the Byzantine icons, is born with the Eastern Church and arrives in Italy and in Umbria through a long and adventurous journey.īut let us proceed one step at a time. Originally located in the church of San Damiano, it is now exposed at the monastery of Santa Chiara, where it was transferred in 1275.īut what makes this sacred image so special? Certainly a large part of his celebrity comes from Saint Francis of Assisi and from the mystical experience linked to the Crucifix of San Damiano that involved him, but this particular representation of Christ triumphant on the cross existed long before the eyes of the poor Assisi set themselves on it. Today the Crucifix of San Damiano is an image famous all over the world, the goal of a constant pilgrimage by the thousands of faithful who go to Assisi each year.
“Go and repair my house, which as you can see is all in ruins” were in fact the words that the crucifix addressed to the very young saint. The Saint of Assisi believed at first that the Most High was referring to the church of San Damiano, where he was at that time, and that he needed a restoration work, but later realized that your request included the Church, ravaged by decadence, corruption, internal struggles. Francis was intent on praying when, in the distant year of 1205, he received from the Lord the call to work to restore his church. The Crucifix of San Damiano is the one in front of which St.
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