Saints Cosmas and Damian
27 September 2026 — The little bag opens – sweet stars for every child!
Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and physicians in the early Christian era who, according to tradition, healed people without payment. For this reason they are honoured as „unmercenary“ saints, healers who accept no fee. The Orthodox and Catholic churches commemorate them on different dates, while in Brazil their memory is especially alive on 27 September. There the saints are known as Cosme e Damião and are deeply loved. By tradition, families prepare sweets, candies and small bags of treats and give them to children, as thanks for a blessing received or to fulfil a promise made. The custom blends Christian faith, Afro-Brazilian traditions (in Umbanda and Candomblé the saints are honoured together with the divine twins Ibeji, protectors of children), care for the sick and the joy of sharing. The feast follows a fixed calendar date and is not tied to the lunar cycle, but the late-September sky, close to the September equinox, reminds us of light that is shared with others. That is why a symbol crosses the sky: a little bag spilling sweet stars.
Flying across the sky: An ethereal, bluish-silver figure made of light dots and thin lines, like a constellation: a small drawstring bag that slowly opens and scatters tiny star-shaped sweets across the night sky
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