St. Sabbas the Sanctified
St. Sabbas the Sanctified (439-532 AD) was a Palestinian monk who founded the famous Mar Saba monastery near Jerusalem, still functioning today.
He played a crucial role in Palestinian monasticism and defended Orthodox Christology. His typicon influenced liturgical development throughout the Orthodox world.
He that loveth God disdaineth things corruptible and prefereth the Knowledge of Him.
I shall not cancel the Divine Liturgy because of the lack of flour; faithful is He Who Commanded us not to be concerned about bodily things, and Mighty is He to feed us in time of hunger.
Prayer to St. Sabbas
Venerable Sabbas, chief of monks, Spiritual commander of Christ's heroes, Was glorified by fasting, vigils and meekness, By prayer and faith and blessed mercy. You taught the monks to not be concerned with bread; You entrusted the monks to heaven, with labor and prayer, You sought neither rare presence nor rank of any kind. Most rarely did you taste oil or wine, You kept all the services at the appointed time. "Let the service be a joy and not a heavy burden," St. Sabbas told the monks, And he showed this to all by his example, Like a wise gardener, he enclosed the garden, And carefully planted many young men. The young men grew and brought forth fruit: A regiment of monks, to the glory of Sabbas. Fifteen hundred years have passed, Yet Sabbas's spiritual garden still blooms: Saints and monks, a hundred thousand, Have been raised up by Sabbas's community up to now. St. Sabbas, glorious recluse, O God-pleaser, pray for us also.
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