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The [[Venerable]] '''Sabbas the Sanctified''' was born in a Palestinian monastic who is credited with composing the fifth century at Cappadocia first monastic rule of pious Christian parentschurch services, John and Sophiathe so-called "Jerusalem Typikon". His father He was a military commander. Journeying to Alexandria on military matters, his wife went with him, but they left their five-year-old son in the care of an uncle. When the boy reached eight years staunch opponent of age, he entered the monastery of St. Flavian located nearby. The gifted child quickly learned to read and became an expert on the [[Bible|Holy Scripture]]s. In vain did his parents urge St. Sabbas to return to the world heretical Monophysites and enter into marriageOrigenist movements.

When he ==Life==He was seventeen years old he received [[monastic]] [[ tonsure]]born in Mutalaska, and attained such perfection near Caesarea in [[fast]]ing Cappadocia of pious Christian parents, John and [[prayer]] that he Sophia, during the year 439. His father was given a military commander. Traveling to Alexandria on military matters, his wife went with him, but they left their five-year-old son in the gift care of wonderworkingan uncle. After spending ten When the boy reached eight years at of age, he entered the [[monastery]] of St. Flavian, he went located nearby. The gifted child quickly learned to Jerusalem, read and from there to became an expert on the monastery of [[Euthymius the GreatBible|St. Euthymius the Great]] ([[January 20Holy Scripture]]). But Sts. Euthymius sent In vain did his parents urge St. Sabbas to Abba Theoctistus, return to the head of a nearby monastery with a strict cenobitic rule. St. Sabbas lived in obedience at this monastery until the age of thirtyworld and enter into marriage.

After When he was seventeen years old he received [[monastic]] [[ tonsure]], and attained such perfection in [[fast]]ing and [[prayer]] that he was given the death gift of wonderworking. In 456, after spending ten years at the Elder Theoctistus, his successor blessed monastery of St. Sabbas Flavian, he traveled to seclude himself in a cave. On Saturdays, howeverJerusalem, he left his hermitage and came from there to the monastery, where he participated in divine services and ate with of [[Euthymius the Great|St. Euthymius the brethrenGreat]] ([[January 20]]). But St. After a certain time Euthymius sent St. Sabbas received permission not to leave his hermitage at allAbba Theoctistus, and he struggled the head of a nearby monastery that practiced a strict cenobitic rule. St. Sabbas lived in obedience at this monastery until the cave for five yearsage of thirty.

St. Euthymius attentively directed After the life death of the young monkElder Theoctistus, and seeing his spiritual maturity, he began successor blessed St. Sabbas to take him to the Rouba wilderness with himseclude himself in a cave. They set out on January 14On Saturdays, however, and remained there until he left his [[Palm Sundayhermitage]]and came to the monastery, where he participated in divine services and ate with the brethren. St. Euthymius called After a certain time St. Sabbas a child-elderreceived permission not to leave his hermitage at all, and encouraged him to grow he struggled in the monastic virtuescave for five years.

When St. Euthymius fell asleep in attentively directed the life of the Lord (+473)young monk, St Sabbas withdrew from the Lavra and moved seeing his spiritual maturity, he began to take him to a cave near the monastery of Rouba wilderness with him. They set out on [[Gerasimus of Jordan|St. Gerasimus of JordanJanuary 14]] (, and remained there until [[March 4Palm Sunday]]). After several years, disciples began to gather around St. Sabbas, seeking the monastic life. As the number of monks increased, a lavra sprang up. When a pillar of fire appeared before Euthymius called St. Sabbas as he was walkinga child-elder, he found a spacious cave and encouraged him to grow in the form of a churchmonastic virtues.

When St. Euthymius fell asleep in the Lord (+473), St Sabbas withdrew from the Lavra and moved to a cave near the monastery of [[Gerasimus of Jordan|St. Gerasimus of Jordan]] ([[March 4]]). In 478, he moved to a cave on the cliffs of the Kedron Gorge southeast of Jerusalem. His hermitage formed the foundation of the monastery later named after him (Lavra Mar Saba) and known in ancient sources as the ''Great Lavra''.After several years, disciples began to gather around St. Sabbas, seeking the monastic life. As the number of [[monk]]s increased, the [[lavra]] came into being. When a pillar of fire appeared before St. Sabbas as he was walking, he found a spacious cave in the form of a church.   In 491, Patriarch Salustius of Jerusalem [[ordination|ordained]] him a [[priest]]. In 494, the [[patriarch]] named St. Sabbas the [[archimandrite]] of all the monasteries in Palestine.  St. Sabbas founded several more other monasteries. Many miracles took place through the prayers of St. Sabbas: at the Lavra a spring of water welled up, during a time of drought there was abundant rain, and there were also healings of the sick and the demoniacs. St. Sabbas composed the first monastic Rule of church services, the so-called "''Jerusalem Typikon"'', accepted by all the Palestine monasteries. The saint surrendered St. Sabbas died in his soul to God lavra on [[December 5]], 532 and is buried in a tomb in the courtyard between two ancient churches in the year 532midst of the remnant of the great monastery, Lavra Mar Saba. . His feast day is on December 5. St. Sabbas championed the Orthodox cause against the monophysite and Origenist movements of his day, personally calling upon the Roman emperors in Constantinople, Anastasius in 511 and Justinian in 531, to influence them in opposing the [[December 5heretic|heretical]]movements. ==Reference==John Patrich. ''Chapels and Hermitages of St.Sabas’ Monastery'', Yoram Tsafrir, ed., Ancient Churches Revealed, Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 1993. (ISBN 965-221-016-1)