St. Sabas

Saint Sabas

Abbot & Confessor

Sabas was born to a noble Christian couple in Cappadocia in the year of Our Lord 439. From a young age he was exposed to family squabbles over money, and God’s grace drew him to reject earthly wealth in favor of spiritual treasure. While yet a child, he fled to a monastery, where the monks gladly instructed him in the faith and monastic spirituality. Despite the wishes of his family, Sabas remained in the monastery for several years. He made pilgrimage to the Holy Land, then entered another monastery under the guidance of St. Euthymius, who counseled the young Sabas in discerning the life of a hermit. Sabas left permanently for the wilderness when the monastery’s discipline slackened after his mentor’s death. His sanctity attracted disciples, however, and with the aid of generous donations, Sabas established his own monastery where he served as abbot for the rest of his life, spending each Lent alone in the desert. Such was his holy reputation that twice he travelled to Constantinople to visit the Emperor and obtained relief for the Christians of his region. Returning home from the second journey, Sabas fell ill, and died after receiving the Sacraments, in the year 532.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for December 5th

AT Mutala, in Cappadocia, St. Sabas, abbot, who was renowned in Palestine for admirable examples of sanctity. He labored courageously in defending the Catholic faith against those who attacked the holy council of Chalcedon.

At Thebesta, in Africa, during the time of Diocletian and Maximian, St. Chrispina, a woman of the highest nobility, who refused to sacrifice to idols, and was beheaded by order of the proconsul Anolinus. Her praises are often celebrated by St. Augustine.

At Thagura, in Africa, the holy martyrs Julius, Potamia, Crispinus, Felix, Gratus, and seven others.

At Nicaea, near the river Var, St. Bassus, bishop. In the persecution of Deems and Valerian, he was tortured by the governor Perennius for the faith of Christ, burned with hot plates of metal, beaten with rods and whips garnished with pieces of iron, and thrown into the fire. Having come out of it unhurt, he was transfixed with two spikes, and thus terminated an illustrious martyrdom.

At Pavia, St. Dalmatius, bishop and martyr, who suffered in the persecution of Maximian.

At Pelino, in Abruzzo, St. Pelinus, bishop of Brindisi. Under Julian the Apostate, because by his prayers he caused a temple of Mars to fall to the ground, he was most severely scourged by the idolatrous priests, and being pierced with eighty-five wounds, merited the crown of martyrdom.

Also, St. Anastasius, martyr, who, thirsting for martyrdom, voluntarily offered himself to the persecutors.

At Treves, St. Nicetius, bishop, a man of great sanctity.

At Polybotum, in Asia, St. John, bishop, surnamed Wonder-worker.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.