Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Mesopotamia, and their mother, Saint Theodote were natives of Asia Minor. Their father, a pagan, died while they were still quite small children. Their mother, Theodote, raised the brothers in Christian piety. The example of their mother and the reading of holy books preserved them in purity of life in accord with the command of the Lord, and Cosmas and Damian grew up into righteous and virtuous men. Trained and having become skilled as physicians, they acquired a gift of the Holy Spirit: to heal people's illnesses of body and soul by the power of prayer. They even treated animals. With fervent love for both God and neighbor, they never took payment for their services. They strictly observed the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Freely have you received, freely give." (Mt 10:8). The fame of Sts. Cosmas and Damian spread throughout all the surrounding region, and people called them unmercenary physicians.
Once, the saints were summoned to a grievously ill woman named Palladia, whom all the doctors had refused to treat because of her seemingly hopeless condition. Through faith and through the fervent prayer of the holy brothers, the Lord healed the deadly disease and Palladia got up from her bed perfectly healthy and giving praise to God. In gratitude for being healed and wishing to give them a small gift, Palladia went quietly to Damian. She presented him with three eggs and said, "Take this small gift in the Name of the Holy Life-Creating Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Hearing the Name of the Holy Trinity, the unmercenary one did not dare to refuse.
Cosmas, however, when he learned of what had happened, became very sad. He thought that his brother had broken their strict vow. And soon approached the time when St. Cosmas was to depart to the Lord. Dying, he gave last instructions that his brother should not be buried alongside him. After a short while St. Damian also died. All were greatly perplexed where St. Damian's grave should be. But through the will of God a miracle occurred. A camel, which the saints had treated for its wildness, spoke with a human voice saying that they should not doubt whether to place Damian beside Cosmas, because Damian accepted the gift from the woman, not as payment, but out of respect for the Name of God. The venerable relics of the holy brothers were buried together at Thereman (Mesopotamia).
(article from fatheralexander.org)