A portrait of St. Stephen of Mar Saba
St. Stephen of Mar Saba
725 – 794
Feast
July 13 · VIII c.
Patron of
Monks · Hymnographers
Order
Monk / Hymnographer
Palestinian monk and hymnographer (725-794), nephew of St. John Damascene; monk of Mar Saba in the Judean desert, hymnographer of the Greek Octoechos and Triodion. Pre-Congregation.
Life & Times
Born: 725 · Died: 794 · From: Israel-Palestine.
Patronage
St. Stephen of Mar Saba is invoked as the patron of monks, hymnographers. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Art thou weary, art thou languid, art thou sore distressed? 'Come to me,' saith One, 'and coming, be at rest.'”— From his Greek hymn Κόπον τε καὶ κάματον, in the English translation of J. M. Neale.
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Stephen of Mar Saba, 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.