12/04/2025
St. Sabas is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Eastern monasticism and is one of the most revered patriarchs among the monks of Palestine. Sabas eventually sought refuge in a monastery after an abusive and unhappy childhood. He felt pulled to monastic life, despite the efforts of his family members to convince him to go back home. Though the youngest in the monastery, he excelled in practicing virtues.
He went to Jerusalem when he was 18 to learn in-depth about leading a solitary life. Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery where he spent the daytime at work and most of the night in prayer. Later, when he turned 30, he was granted permission to spend five days a week in a neighboring secluded cave, in prayer and in the work of weaving baskets.
After the death of his mentor, Saint Euthymius, Sabas moved farther into the desert, close to Jericho, and spent several years there, residing in a cave close to Cedron Brook. Many came in with the desire to join him, and gradually, they became more than 150 in number and started living in what eventually became a laura. He established seven monasteries, four cenobia, and three lauras. In 491, Sabas was ordained a priest. He was sent on diplomatic missions as a representative of the Church. Sabas died in 532 after a brief illness.
St. Sabas, obtain for us the grace to lead a zealous missionary life.
