Christian saints Kuzma and Demyan are considered the patrons of marriage, family hearth and various types of crafts. In Russia, churches and monasteries were dedicated to them, seriously ill patients asked for help and blessing, and once a year the so-called Kuzminki celebrated in honor of the holy brothers.
The first mention in Russia of Saints Kuzma and Demyan refers to the last quarter of the 11th century. It was then that in the Novgorod birch bark letters two brothers were described - Kosma and Damian, who performed miracles of healing seriously ill people, helped the needy and were good craftsmen.
In ancient times, they were considered the patrons of healers and doctors, they turned to them for blessing during the treatment of people and animals, imposing conspiracies. The brothers also patronized various crafts, especially blacksmithing, as the people of Kuzmu and Demyan were also called silversmiths who made excellent metal products and did not take any reward for this. They also helped in household chores - brothers often recalled when harvesting, during spinning, weaving or caring for livestock.
They prayed to Kuzma and Demyan also for the welfare of the marriage, preservation of the hearth. During the wedding ceremony, the mothers of the newlyweds often turned to the brothers with the words "Kuzma-Demyan, give us a wedding to the white head, to the gray beard!"
Usually the brothers were portrayed with small first-aid kits in their hands, which speaks of their art of healing. Also, their faces were often placed in the fields of icons dedicated to the Mother of God and various saints. Cosmodemyan churches and monasteries were built in Moscow, Suzdal, Nizhny Novgorod, Tver, Pskov and other Russian cities.
The feast of the holy brothers ("Kuzminki") was celebrated on November 1 according to the old calendar. Today he is celebrated on November 14th. Since Kuzma and Demyan were also considered patrons of poultry, it was customary to cut a large number of chickens at Kuzminki, prepare various dishes from them and treat the neighbors. It was believed that due to this, a bird will live on the farm for a year.
