Origins & Early Life

Cosmas of Maiuma, also called Cosmas Hagiopolites ("of the Holy City"), Cosmas of Jerusalem, Cosmas the Melodist, or Cosmas the Poet (d. 773 or 794), was a bishop and an important hymnographer in the East. He is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. Cosmas (Greek: Κοσμάς) was born in Damascus, modern-day Syria, but he was orphaned at a young age.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was adopted by Sergius, the father of John of Damascus (c. 676 – 749), and became John's foster-brother. The teacher of the two boys was an elderly Calabrian monk, also named Cosmas (known as "Cosmas the Monk" to distinguish him), who had been freed from slavery to the Saracens by John's father. John and Cosmas went from Damascus to Jerusalem, where both became monks in the lavra-type monastery of Sabbas the Sanctified near that city. Together they helped defend the Church against the heresy of iconoclasm.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Cosmas left the monastery in 743 when he was appointed Bishop of Maiuma, the port of ancient Gaza. He outlived John by many years and died in great old age. As a learned prose-author, Cosmas wrote commentaries, or scholia, on the poems of Gregory of Nazianzus. He is regarded...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• John of Damascus — Contemporary (Born in 675) (675): Pioneering Christian polymath, hymnographer, and staunch defender of iconography.
• Leo III the Isaurian — Contemporary (Born in 675) (675): Byzantine Emperor who ended the Anarchy and championed Iconoclasm.
• Abu Ayyub al-Ansari — Contemporary figure (Died in 674) (674): A prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad and key figure among the Ansar.
• Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas — Contemporary figure (Died in 674) (674): Pivotal Muslim commander, founder of Kufa, and key figure in the conquest of Persia.
• Wang Bo (poet) — Contemporary figure (Died in 676) (676): A prominent Tang Dynasty poet, famed for his literary style and 'Tengwang Ge Xu'.
• Muhammad al-Baqir — Contemporary figure (Born in 677) (677): Fifth of the Twelve Shia Imams, foundational scholar of Twelver Shiism.
• Bede — Contemporary figure (Born in 672) (672): Pioneering scholar and author, credited as the Father of English History.
• Aisha — Contemporary figure (Died in 678) (678): Prominent scholar and political figure in early Islam, wife of Prophet Muhammad.
• Sa'id ibn Zayd — Contemporary figure (Died in 671) (671): A prominent companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad and brother-in-law of Umar.
• Abu Hurayra — Contemporary figure (Died in 679) (679): A foremost companion and prolific narrator of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
• 675 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 675
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