One of the most prominent saintly doctors of Bitonto is Saint Cosmas. Born in the 11th century, Saint Cosmas dedicated his life to the art of healing. He was known for being a skilled physician, and many people sought his advice and treatment. Saint Cosmas was also famous for his miracles, with stories of his healings being passed from generation to generation.
Another important figure in the medical history of Bitonto is Saint Damian. Like Saint Cosmas, Saint Damian was a physician who devoted his life to the well-being of his patients. Legend has it that the two brothers, Cosmas and Damian, worked together as surgeons and would never accept payment for their services. Instead, they were known to barter with their patients, accepting food, clothing, and even livestock in exchange for their skills.
The legacy of these two saints of Bitonto has not been forgotten. Today, the town honors their memory with a yearly celebration on September 26th. The celebration begins with a religious ceremony at the Church of San Cosma in Bitonto, followed by a procession that travels through the town. The locals take pride in the fact that their town was once home to such admirable healers and are grateful for their contribution to the medical profession.
The names of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian are still relevant in the medical field today. In fact, they are considered the patron saints of surgeons, and their images are often displayed in hospitals and medical clinics worldwide. The advice given by these two saints, who embraced the Hippocratic oath, is still important in the modern medical community. The oath itself, which calls upon physicians to practice medicine ethically and compassionately, has been taken up by almost all medical practitioners throughout the world.
Bitonto is not the only city that holds such high esteem for its medical saints. In Rome, the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini houses a chapel dedicated to Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian. The chapel contains a wealth of interesting artifacts related to the two saints, including a 17th-century painting that depicts the miracle of a leg transplant that the two brothers are said to have achieved.
In conclusion, the saintly doctors of Bitonto have left a lasting impression on the medical field, both locally and globally. Their selflessness and dedication to treating the sick and the poor, without any material gain, is a lesson that the modern medical community can learn from. The fact that their legacy has endured for centuries shows the impact that their work had on the people of their time. Today, they stand as a reminder that the medical profession is not just a job but a calling, and that practitioners have a moral duty to serve their patients with love and compassion.