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 people asked them for help and blessings, and once a year the so-called "Kuzminki" celebrated in honor of the holy brothers.
The first mention of Saints Kuzma and Demyan in Russia dates back to the last quarter of the 11th century. It was then that the Novgorod birch bark letters described two brothers - Kosma and Damian, who performed miracles of healing seriously ill people, helped those in need and were good artisans.
In ancient times, they were considered the patrons of healers and healers, they turned to them for blessings during the treatment of people and animals, the imposition of conspiracies. The brothers also patronized various crafts, especially blacksmithing, since among the people Kuzma and Demyan were also called silver smiths, who made excellent metal products and did not take any reward for this. They also helped in women's household chores - the brothers were often remembered during harvesting, during spinning, weaving, or caring for livestock.
They also prayed to Kuzma and Demyan for the welfare of the marriage and the 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 a white head, to a 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 on the margins of icons dedicated to the Mother of God and various saints. Kosmodemyanskie 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 it is celebrated on November 14th. Since Kuzma and Demyan were also considered patrons of poultry, it was customary to slaughter a large number of chickens at Kuzminki, prepare various dishes from them and treat neighbors. It was believed that thanks to this, a bird would be found on the farm for a whole year.
