São Cosme and Damião: sweets, caruru and history present in various religions

In the Catholic religion, the Saint Cosmas and Damian’s Day IS in the day September 26th🇧🇷 In umbanda and candomblé, on the day September 27th🇧🇷 In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the commemoration is on November 1st. In the Greek Orthodox Church, St. Cosmas and Damian’s day is on July 1st. But do you know who these two were and why they are so important?

The story goes that they were twin brothers, who lived and died in Asia Minor around the year 300 after Christ. They would have been doctors, and attended to the population without charging anything for it. In addition to applying their knowledge, they prayed for the sick, which would have led many to healing. The practice of the two brothers, who were Christians, would have converted many people to Christianity at the time.

HToday they are considered the patron saints of physicians.

In candomblé and umbanda

The saints are also celebrated by religions of African origin, such as candomblé, umbanda, batuque and xangô from the northeast. In these religions they are associated with the ibejis, twin orixás, friends of children and who are known to bring well-being, undo spells and cure illnesses.

Ibejis like sweets, and it is in honor of them that in some places in Brazil, bags with candies, lollipops and other goodies are distributed to children.

In Bahia, the tradition is to prepare a caruru for the saints, serve it to the children and then eat it. Caruru is an okra stew that usually accompanies acarajé and abará. The caruru recipe includes okra, dried shrimp, cashew nuts, peanuts, ginger, palm oil and it’s delicious!