Saints Cyrus and John, Physician Saints and MartyrsPray for us!
In the gospel reading for this past Sunday’s Mass (31 January), Saint Mark tells how Jesus, Christus Medicus – the Divine Physician, rid an afflicted man of his unclean spirit. With his healing touch, Christ also healed the “untouchable” victim of leprosy. Healing of the spirit, of the soul and of the body are one.
On this same day, the Church recognized two martyred physicians – Saints Cyrus and John. Their lives are more widely celebrated in the Coptic and Eastern Rite churches. Like another pair of physician saints, Saints Cosmas and Damien, they were known as Wonderworking Unmercenaries (thaumatourgoi anargyroi), because they healed the sick free of charge.
St. Cyrus was a skilled physician in Alexandria, Egypt. He believed that healing of body and soul were integral. He advised, “Whoever wishes to avoid being ill should refrain from sin, for sin is often the cause of bodily illness.”
Under the persecution of Diocletian, Saint Cyrus fled from the city and led the life of a monk. There he was joined by Saint John, a military physician from far off Edessa. Ultimately these two saints returned to Alexandria in order to stand in solidarity with their fellow Christians. In 312 AD, they suffered cruel torture and death.
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cyrus_and_Johnhttps://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyrus-the-physician/https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-the-physician/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_and_John
http://www.christopherklitou.com/31_jan_cyril_john_selfless_physicians.jpg
For more information regarding the lives of physician saints:
“Medical Saints, Blesseds and Notables” Members of the Catholic Medical Association each present the life of a Catholic Saint or Beatus who would be worthy of a doctor’s particular attention.
https://app.etapestry.com/cart/CatholicMedicalAssociation/default/item.php?ref=953.0.421986650
Physician Saint of the Catholic Church – website of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associationshttps://www.fiamc.org/faith-prayer/saints/physician-saints-of-the-catholic-church/
Comprehensive roster of physician saints:https://catholicsaints.info/saints-who-were-physicians/
Oremus pro invicem. (Let’s pray for one another.)
Richard A. Watson, M.D.
Past President
Catholic Medical Association (USA)
