Three eggs from a grateful woman nearly parted two doctor brothers even in death. That is the story of Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia, whom the Church honours today, Sunday, 1 November. Bulgaria also marks National Revivalists' Day today.

Doctors who took no money

Cosmas and Damian were brothers from the province of Asia in Asia Minor. They lived in the late 3rd century, under Emperor Diocletian. Their father was a pagan and died young. Their mother, Theodotia, was a Christian and raised them in the faith.

The brothers studied herbs and treated both people and livestock for free. They followed the words of Christ, "Freely you have received, freely give", so the Church calls them unmercenary saints, or "silverless" healers. Later a church was built over their grave, and healings took place there.

They should not be confused with Cosmas and Damian of Rome, who are honoured on 1 July. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the unmercenary saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia (Arabia) on 1 November. St John of Rila is not remembered on this date. His days are 19 October and 18 August.

The three eggs and the camel that spoke

According to the saints' life story, a woman they had healed wanted to thank Damian. He accepted her gift only after she swore in God's name, and he took three eggs in the name of the Holy Trinity. Cosmas was hurt by this and asked that the two not be buried together.

A camel that began to speak settled the dispute. It advised that Damian be laid next to his brother, and so it was done.

The two are honoured as patrons of doctors and healers and as helpers of the sick. Believers light candles before their icons and pray for health.

Revivalists' Day and other holidays

National Revivalists' Day is a national holiday. Schools and universities do not hold classes, but it is not a day off for everyone. It was first marked in 1909 in Plovdiv. On 13 December 1922 the 19th Ordinary National Assembly added it to the Law on Holidays. In 1923 Tsar Boris III declared it a no-school day by decree. After a break, official celebrations returned in 1992. An amendment to the Labour Code of 28 October 1992 restored the holiday, and since then 1 November has been a day without classes at all schools in Bulgaria.

1 November is also Bulgarian Journalism Day. The Union of Bulgarian Journalists revived it at its 6th congress in 1981, and by tradition it presents its yearly awards around 1 November. The date is also Bulgarian Scientists' Day, marked by the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria since 1990.

Two towns also celebrate: Kotel and Teteven. In Kotel, 1 November is the town's holiday. Teteven marks its liberation from Ottoman rule in 1877 on 1 November. Since 2016, staff of the State Intelligence Agency, which a 2015 law set up, have had their own holiday on this date. Worldwide, today is World Vegan Day, marked since 1994.

Name days fall to Cosmas and Damian, as well as Damiana and those with related names such as Kuzman and Damyanka. Happy name day to Cosmas, Damian and Damiana!