Alberobello-3
According to the tradition, saints Cosmas and Damian were two brothers, of Arab origin, who lived between the 3rd and 4th century.
They were doctors, having learned the medical science in Syria. Being also Christians, they dedicated themselves to assisting the sick without asking for any money from needy people. Through this activity, they could also preach and spread the word of Christianity. Their most famous miracle was the replacement of a patient's ulcered leg with another one taken from a recently deceased man.
This preaching eventually cost them their life. During the persecution of Christians ordered by the emperor Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were tortured and beheaded, together with other Christians.
The veneration for these two saints quickly spread after their death, with churches dedicated to them in Constantinople, in Asia Minor, in Bulgaria, in Greece, Jerusalem, then Rome and Europe. They inspired a great number of painting and other art creations about their life.
Saints Cosmas and Damian are celebrated every year with a five day celebration. Initially, in the 17th century, the local count used to keep and worship a painting of the two saints and the painting used to be taken around the town during the religious procession, every year on 27 September. In 1782 the statue of saint Cosmas was made and, while entering the town, he made his first miracle: a heavy rain after a long period of drought. Two years later the faithful made the statue of saint Damian and the two statues replaced the painting in the procession.
Since then, the religious ceremony has taken place every year: Holy Masses, a procession on the 27th morning, another gala procession on the 28th evening, with the local authorities and representatives from neighboring cities and meetings with believers coming from abroad.
Non religious events include several concerts with bands and groups, and spectacular fireworks.
Alberobello-3
According to the tradition, saints Cosmas and Damian were two brothers, of Arab origin, who lived between the 3rd and 4th century.
They were doctors, having learned the medical science in Syria. Being also Christians, they dedicated themselves to assisting the sick without asking for any money from needy people. Through this activity, they could also preach and spread the word of Christianity. Their most famous miracle was the replacement of a patient's ulcered leg with another one taken from a recently deceased man.
This preaching eventually cost them their life. During the persecution of Christians ordered by the emperor Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were tortured and beheaded, together with other Christians.
The veneration for these two saints quickly spread after their death, with churches dedicated to them in Constantinople, in Asia Minor, in Bulgaria, in Greece, Jerusalem, then Rome and Europe. They inspired a great number of painting and other art creations about their life.
Saints Cosmas and Damian are celebrated every year with a five day celebration. Initially, in the 17th century, the local count used to keep and worship a painting of the two saints and the painting used to be taken around the town during the religious procession, every year on 27 September. In 1782 the statue of saint Cosmas was made and, while entering the town, he made his first miracle: a heavy rain after a long period of drought. Two years later the faithful made the statue of saint Damian and the two statues replaced the painting in the procession.
Since then, the religious ceremony has taken place every year: Holy Masses, a procession on the 27th morning, another gala procession on the 28th evening, with the local authorities and representatives from neighboring cities and meetings with believers coming from abroad.
Non religious events include several concerts with bands and groups, and spectacular fireworks.