Born in what is now Turkey in the mid-5th century, his father was an army officer. When he and his wife were sent to Egypt he asked his brother to take care of Sabas but he was abusive. So, at the age of eight, Sabas ran away to live with another relative. 

Over the years there was more family conflict and eventually Sabas ran away again, this time to a monastery. 

As he grew older, his family pleaded with him to return and marry. But, instead, Sabas made his way to Jerusalem and in his late teens entered the monastery of Bishop Flavian. 

He longed to live the life of a hermit, but he was considered too young. St. Euthymius became his mentor and when he was about thirty, Sabas was at last given permission to live in a nearby cave five days a week. 

After Euthymius died, Sabas moved deeper into the desert to an area near Jericho. Eventually, he attracted followers. Reluctantly, Sabas agreed to lead them and their ranks grew to about one hundred and fifty. 

The Bishop of Jerusalem convinced Sabas to become a priest in order to effectively lead his monastic community and he did but Sabas continued to seek time for prayer alone. 

Each year during Lent he left his monks for long periods of time. Unhappy with this, a group of about sixty formed 

a new community nearby. When Sabas learned they were struggling he generously gave them supplies and assisted with the repair of their Church. 

Over the years, Sabas preached throughout the region bringing many back to the Church and at the age of ninety-one, after a plea from the Bishop of Jerusalem, he traveled to Constantinople to quell a revolt. But when he returned Sabas fell ill and died on this day in 532 AD at the monastery of Mar Saba. 

Today, that monastery is still inhabited by monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church and St. Sabas is regarded as one of the most significant figures in early monasticism. 

St. Sabad, please pray for us.