The Greek writing at the top of this painting says, on the left, 'Kosmas' (Cosmas), on the right 'Damianos' (Damian), and in the centre the Greek for 'The moneyless saints'. Saints Cosmas and Damian practised medicine and surgery without payment according to their legend, and were therefore represented to the lay public as medical ideals. They were martyred under the reign of Diocletian, a Roman emperor who persecuted the Christians vigorously. They are very frequently represented in Greek and Russian icons, as their medicinal powers made them the suitable recipients of prayers for relief from illness. Sometimes they appear with another miracle worker such as Saint Pantaleimon or Saint Nicholas. Cosmas and Damian usually carry two objects as their attributes: one carries a box of ointment and the other a surgical instrument such as a spatula or knife.