A portrait of St. Sabas the Sanctified
St. Sabas the Sanctified
439 – 532
Feast
December 5 · VI c.
Patron of
Monks · Hermits · Desert monasticism
Order
Abbot / Hermit
Cappadocian-Palestinian abbot (439-532), founder of the Mar Saba lavra in the Kidron valley between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (483), still active today as the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world. Pillar of Palestinian monasticism with St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch; defender of orthodoxy against Origenism and Monophysitism. Pre-Congregation.
Life & Times
Born: 439 · Died: 532 · From: Turkey / Israel-Palestine.
Patronage
St. Sabas the Sanctified is invoked as the patron of monks, hermits, desert monasticism. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Sabas the Sanctified, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.