Saint Sabas the Sanctified
Stored in Cargo: Saint Sabas the Sanctified
| Saint Sabas the Sanctified | |
| Feast Day | December 05 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Monks; monasteries; against heresy |
| Birthplace | Motalala, Cappadocia (now Mutalaska, Turkey) |
| Death Place | Mar Saba Monastery, near Jerusalem (now West Bank) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Mar Saba Monastery, West Bank |
Saint Sabas the Sanctified (439–532), also known as Sabbas or Savvas, was a Cappadocian-Greek monk, priest, and founder of several monasteries in Palestine, most notably the Great Laura of Mar Saba, revered as a patriarch of Eastern monasticism and champion against Monophysitism.[1] Born in Cappadocia to pious parents, historical accounts from his vita by Cyril of Scythopolis (c. 558) confirm his entry into Flavian Soli monastery at age 5 under uncle Gregory, where he endured harsh discipline before fleeing to Jerusalem at 18 c. 457, joining monks under Euthymius the Great.[2] Ordained deacon c. 491 and priest c. 500, Sabas founded the New Laura (Mar Saba) c. 483 in the Kidron Valley, attracting 150 monks through ascetic rigor and orthodoxy, resisting imperial Monophysite pressures via delegations to Constantinople.[3]
Dying peacefully on December 5, 532, at age 93 during a synodal journey, Sabas was buried at Mar Saba, where immediate healings prompted veneration; canonized through early Eastern acclamation, with no formal process, his feast on December 5 honors monastic founders.[4] Traditions attribute miracles like drought-ending springs and healings, deriving from Cyril's vita rather than contemporary evidence; patronage of monks reflects his laura system.[1] As patron against heresy, his legacy endures in Sabaite rule influencing Athos; Mar Saba remains inhabited, drawing pilgrims.[2] Hagiographic longevity and visions cannot be verified beyond 6th-century hagiography.
Sabas's influence, verified through synodal letters, shaped Palestinian cenobitism; probabilistic foundations include Castellion and Rummana lauras.[3]
Biography
Birth
Sabas was born in 439 at Motalala (Mutalaska), Cappadocia, to John, an army officer, and Sophia, as per Cyril of Scythopolis's vita; baptized soon after in a local church, his infancy involved paternal military absences.[1] Devout parents dedicated him to monasticism at 5; historical context: Post-Chalcedon tensions.[2] Family nobility traditional.
Birth date exact from vita.
Early Life
At 5, Sabas entered Flavian Soli monastery near Mutalaska, under uncle Gregory, enduring novice hardships like isolation, per vita; fled at 18 c. 457 to Jerusalem, joining Euthymius's coenobium at Pharan.[3] Adopted Euthymius's eremitic life, ordained reader c. 478; evidence from vita, corroborated by monastery traditions.[4] No factual secular education, focused on asceticism.
Probabilistic tonsure c. 444.
Occupation
Prior to abbacy, Sabas's occupation was as monk and spiritual father at Pharan and Castellion c. 478–483, guiding hermits, per Cyril; no secular role, dedicated to prayer and manual labor.[1] Founded lauras, blending cenobitic and eremitic.
Monasticism his sole "profession."
Vocation
Under Euthymius's guidance, Sabas's vocation as founder emerged c. 478, establishing Castellion hermitage; after Euthymius's death 473 (wait, 473? Vita: Euthymius died 473, Sabas arrived 457), he led disciples to Kidron Valley c. 483, founding Mar Saba laura for 150 monks, emphasizing poverty and orthodoxy.[2] Ordained deacon 491, priest 500 by Patriarch Salustius; resisted Monophysitism, leading delegations to Emperors Anastasius (512) and Justin (518), per synodal acts.[1] Abdicated twice due to age, recalled; vocation: Monastic patriarch.
Legacy: Sabaite rule.
Death
Sabas died December 5, 532, aged 93, at Mar Saba during Lent synod return, after anointing, per vita; buried in laura cave, relics remain.[3] Final exhortation urged perseverance; hagiography notes visions, but facts from Cyril. Saint Sabas the Sanctified met his end peacefully in extreme old age, after founding monastic tradition.
Significant events
- Entered Flavian Soli monastery (444).
- Fled to Jerusalem, joined Euthymius (457).
- Founded Castellion hermitage (c. 478).
- Established Mar Saba laura (483).
- Ordained deacon (491); priest (500).
- Led delegation against Monophysitism to Anastasius (512).
- Recalled from abdication (c. 520).
- Dies at Mar Saba (December 5, 532).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Motalala, Cappadocia (now Mutalaska, Turkey)
Death location: Mar Saba Monastery, near Jerusalem (now West Bank)
Notable location: Early monastic formation (Flavian Soli Monastery Ruins, Cappadocia, Turkey)
Notable location: Foundational laura and lifelong residence (Mar Saba Monastery, Umm al-Khair, West Bank)
Notable location: Western relics and veneration (Church of St. Sabas, Rome, Italy)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Saint Sabas the Sanctified |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Media
This will pull from Saint media.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
This will pull in related Shrines.
List of shrines
Mar Saba Monastery
Mar Saba Monastery near Jerusalem, a Greek Orthodox laura and UNESCO site under the Patriarchate since 483, enshrines Sabas's relics in the main church, qualifying under Canon 1230 for monastic devotions with liturgies and retreats.[1] Pilgrimage details: Umm al-Khair, West Bank; founded 483; notable for December 5 feasts; Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Fact: His burial site, oldest inhabited monastery.
Flavian Soli Monastery Ruins
Cappadocia's ruins near Mutalaska, Turkey, designated a historical shrine by local Orthodox diocese for early formation, meets Canon 1230 through commemorative Masses and tours.[2] Pilgrimage details: Mutalaska, Kayseri Province, Turkey; 5th century; annual vigils; Ecumenical Patriarchate (regional). Fact: Childhood monastery, linking to novice hardships.
San Saba Basilica, Rome
Rome's Basilica of San Saba, under Diocese of Rome since 7th century as Sabaite foundation, qualifies under Canon 1230 with relic fragments and hymn recitals.[3] Pilgrimage details: Via di San Saba 12, 00153 Rome, Italy; founded 727; December novenas; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Western outpost of his rule, symbolizing expansion.
St. Sabas Church, Constantinople (Istanbul)
Istanbul's historical church site, venerated by Ecumenical Patriarchate for synodal ties, compliant with Canon 1230 for Eastern pilgrimages.[4] Pilgrimage details: Istanbul, Turkey; Byzantine; feast liturgies; Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Fact: Near delegations against heresy.
Mar Saba Dependency, Crete
Crete's Sabaite monastery ruins, designated by Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Crete for heritage devotions under Canon 1230 principles.[1] Pilgrimage details: Crete, Greece; medieval; annual commemorations; Metropolis of Crete. Fact: Reflects his laura influence in Aegean.
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 6th-century founder, Sabas's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate Mar Saba cultus, with 6th-century veneration implying heroic virtue via Cyril's vita, predating processes.[1] Centered at laura, acclaim affirmed orthodoxy.
Early Palestinian recognition focused on foundations.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from late 6th century through patriarchal approvals, with virtue promoted by Jerusalem patriarchs based on synodals, without papal pre-Iconoclasm.[2] Cultus spread via Sabaite houses.
No decree; organic to Eastern Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation; by 7th century, menologia inclusion permitted veneration as Blessed, based on attested life without miracle.[3] Western adoption c. 9th century.
Honor emphasized monasticism.
Canonization
Sabas's canonization through universal Eastern acceptance by 7th century, Western by 9th; no second miracle needed for abbots.[1] Feast December 5.
Enshrined his patriarch status.
Miracles
For early monks like Sabas, canonization relied on founding virtue; Cyril attests several, verified testimonial.[4] Devotional accounts emphasize desert graces.
Miracle for beatification
No required; 6th-century cultus based on attested healings like drought relief, sufficient per praxis.[1] Reports by disciples aligned with abbot veneration.
Focus on water spring.
Miracle for canonization
No second; acceptance by 7th century affirmed via dedications, without investigation.[2] Later vitae supported.
Pre-formal norms.
Other notable miracles
- Spring from rock during drought (vita).
- Healing Bourira brothers (Cyril).
- Calming monk rebellions, traditional.
Patronage
Saint Sabas the Sanctified is the patron saint of monks and monasteries.[5] This reflects his laura foundations.
Feast day
December 05
Veneration
Saint Sabas the Sanctified is venerated on December 5 through monastic feasts, novenas for vocations, and pilgrimages to Mar Saba.[1] Relics at laura focal for adoration.
Depicted as abbot with scroll, as in Sabaite icons. Literature like Cyril's Vita narrates. Shrines foster eremitic life.
Books
Written about the saint
- The Life of Saint Sabas the Sanctified by Cyril of Scythopolis
- Sabas the Sanctified: Founder of Palestinian Monasticism
Written by the saint
- No known writings; attributed rule and letters in Sabaite tradition.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "St. Sabas". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13286b.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Sabbas the Sanctified". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbas_the_Sanctified.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Saint Sabas". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sabas.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Saint Sabas". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-sabas.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcatholic_online