SABBAS THE SANCTIFIED

Sabbas the Sanctified (439–532) is one of the founding fathers of Orthodox monasticism. During his long life, Sabbas founded seven “Lavras”, as special monasteries of the Palestinian type were called, eight monasteries and three hospice houses for pilgrims and monastics in Palestine. His entire biography was marked by a constant desire for solitude and the strictest solitary asceticism. Despite this, Sabbas repeatedly participated in church affairs, but also acted as a defender of the defenseless inhabitants of Palestine in the face of imperial power. Thus, to ease the tax on artisans, he traveled to Constantinople, and also, in his old age, acted as a defender of the rebellious Samaritans from the wrath of Emperor Justinian (527–565).

Unlike Syria and Egypt, where the Orthodox Church split into two parts, Orthodox and “Monophysite”, the Church of the Holy Land retained its complete unity with Ecumenical Orthodoxy. In opposition to the Monophysites, whose influence among monastics was colossal, Savva led the resistance of his monks to the heretical bishop sent by Emperor Anastasius himself (491–518).

It was during this period that the saint was ordained a priest, and therefore went down in history under the name “Sanctified.” Patriarch Sallustius (+494), who ordained Sabbas, appointed him archimandrite, that is, the head of the “rational flock” of all Palestinian monks. The life of the saint was written by his contemporary Cyril of Scythopolis (524–558). Unlike a considerable number of hagiographic works, it is historical, informative, and edifying.