Saint Comus of Crete

Biography

Saint Comus of Crete, also known as Comus of Candia, Cosma, Cosmas, or Kosmas, was a monk and a steadfast opponent of the monothelite heresy. He is revered for his withdrawal from the world, embracing a life of solitude as a naked, barefoot hermit on the island of Candia, which is now known as modern-day Crete. Little is known about Saint Comus's early life or family background, but it is believed that he was born in Greece. Inspired by a deep love for God and a desire to live a life of piety and devotion, Comus dedicated himself to the service of the Church. As a monk, he devoted his days to prayer, contemplation, and the study of sacred texts. During the seventh century, the monothelite heresy, which taught that Christ had only one will, spread throughout the Byzantine Empire. Comus vehemently opposed this heretical view, which stood contrary to the traditional Catholic teaching of Christ's dual nature; fully human and fully divine. Recognizing the dangerous consequences of this deviation from orthodox doctrine, Comus ardently spoke out against the heresy, defending the Council of Chalcedon's affirmation of Christ's two natures and two wills. Seeking to avoid the distractions and temptations of the world, Comus retreated to the solitude of Candia. There, he lived a life of extreme asceticism, renouncing material possessions and physical comforts. He chose to live in complete poverty, discarding all clothing and walking barefoot as outward signs of his commitment to spiritual purity. By embracing such a minimalist lifestyle, Comus sought to detach himself from worldly distractions and focus solely on his relationship with God. Despite his seclusion from society, Comus's reputation as a holy man and fervent defender of orthodoxy began to spread. People from nearby villages were drawn to the wisdom and holiness emanating from the hermit of Candia. Seeking his counsel, they would journey to the island to seek spiritual guidance and receive Comus's blessings. Saint Comus peacefully departed from this earthly realm on September 2, 658, on Crete. The residents of a nearby village, recognizing his sanctity, brought his body into town and buried it there. However, soon afterwards, the village and its surrounding regions were struck by a series of public disasters, which the city fathers saw as a divine message from Comus. Believing that the saint wished to remain in his hermitage cave, they reburied his body there. Miraculously, after the reburial, the disasters came to a halt. This remarkable turn of events solidified the belief that Saint Comus possessed a special intercessory power with God. Recognizing his sanctity, the city fathers decided to honor him by enshrining his relics in Venice, Italy, in the church of George the Great in 1058. Although Saint Comus's life and works were highly revered by the faithful, he was canonized before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during the period known as Pre-Congregation. His holiness and the miracles attributed to his intercession continue to inspire devotion and faith to this day. While there are no specific patronages attributed to Saint Comus, the faithful have sought his intercession in matters concerning orthodoxy, spiritual purity, and protection from heretical teachings. His life serves as a striking example of steadfast devotion to God, renunciation of worldly desires, and an unwavering commitment to upholding the truth of Catholic doctrine. Through his austere lifestyle and fervent opposition to the monothelite heresy, Saint Comus remains a shining beacon of faith and holiness for all devout Catholics.