Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Sabas

 Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Sabas 12/5/2023

(439 – December 5, 532) Born in Cappadocia, Sabas is one of the most highly regarded patriarchs among the monks of Palestine

After an unhappy childhood in which he was abused and ran away several times, Sabas finally sought refuge in a monastery.

He entered the monastery at age eight, While family members tried to persuade him to return home, the young boy felt drawn to monastic life. Although the youngest monk in the house, he excelled in virtue.

At age 18 he traveled to Jerusalem, seeking to learn more about living in solitude. After ten years in the monastery, eighteen year old Sabas traveled to Jerusalem. He was hoping to learn more about the practice of living in solitude.

After years of monastic life in the valley, Sabas was chosen to go on retreat in the deserts of Rouban, where it is believed Christ performed his 40 day fast before his passion.

During the retreat, Sabas became so dehydrated that he was close to the point of death. He prayed that the Lord would take pity on him. He stuck his staff into the earth. Immediately, a spring of water came forth and Sabas was able to recover his strength for the rest of the retreat.

“knowing what happens in our minds and hearts… how to recognize [bad thoughts] before we actually do a sinful action,”

Soon he asked to be accepted as a disciple of a well-known local solitary, though initially he was regarded as too young to live completely as a hermit.

Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery, where he worked during the day and spent much of the night in prayer.