E06677: Cyril of Scythopolis, writing in Greek, composes the Life of *Sabas (‘the Sanctified’, monastic founder in Palestine, ob. 532, S00910), recounting his life as a miracle working ascetic and founder of numerous monasteries, adding a set of posthumous miracle stories, and including references to cults of several other saints. Written in 555/557 at the New Laura in Palestine. Overview entry
Creators: name: Bryan
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: Cyril of Scythopolis, Life of Sabas (CPG 7536, BHG 1608)<br><br>Summary:<br>(References to other saints, and their cults, are highlighted in bold.)<br><br>Prologue<br>Like the Life of Euthymios, this book is also addressed to abbot Georgios of Beella. Cyril’s sources are monks who lived with Sabas.<br><br>Origins and youth<br>1. Sabas is born in 439 at the village of Moutalaske near Caesarea of Cappadocia to pious parents called Ioannes and Sophia. When he is five, his parents move to Alexandria and leave him with two uncles in Cappadocia.<br><br>2-5. As the uncles feud over the family property, Sabas joins the monastery of Flavianae near Moutalaske. He quickly progresses in virtue and grace.<br><br>Early asceticism in Jerusalem (age 18-39)<br>5-10. At the age of 18, he moves to Jerusalem. After spending a year at the monastery of *Passarion (S01502), he visits *Euthymios (S01352) who commends him to the monastery of *Theoktistos (S01622). He lives there till the age of 30.<br><br>10-11. At the age of 30, he is allowed to spend some days every week in seclusion in a cave. He joins Euthymios and Dometianos in their solitary retreats in the desert during Lent. Afflicted by thirst, Sabas is saved by a miracle of Euthymios. The latter dies soon after.<br><br>12-14. At the age of 35, Sabas joins *Gerasimos (S01507) as an anchorite in the desert of the Jordan, and the deserts of Koutila and Rouba. There he experiences strong temptations, meets important ascetics, including *Theodosios (S01325), and is granted the grace of not fearing barbarians.<br><br>15-16. Four years later (478), he settles in a cave next to a stream, where he spends five years in solitude. He attracts many disciples and a laura is formed (in 483). <br><br>Establishment and early years of the Great Laura (Megiste Laura)<br>17-18. Sabas miraculously discovers a water spring and the cave which becomes the church of the laura. Sabas also builds a tower there.<br><br>19. In 486, certain monks in the community cause unrest, because Sabas is not an ordained priest. They complain to Patriarch Sallustius who ordains Sabas to the priesthood, and consecrates the altar of his church by the deposition of relics of martyrs on 12 December 490.<br><br>20. At that time, the laura is joined by three Armenian monks, Ieremias, Petros, and Paulos. Sabas allows them to celebrate services in Armenian, and soon a sizeable Armenian group is formed.<br><br>21. In the same period, the laura is joined by John the Hesychast, Cyril’s main source of information.<br><br>22-24. Following the example of Euthymios, Sabas retires into the deep desert every January, having first celebrated the feasts of *Antony (S00098) (17 January) and *Euthymios (20 January). He performs miracles in the desert.<br><br>25. In c. 490, Sabas’ father, Ioannes, dies, and his mother, Sophia, comes to the laura with the family fortune. She soon dies too, and Sabas uses his inherited money to build hostels for the monastery.<br><br>26. Miraculous protection of a monk who invokes God through the name of Sabas.<br>κύριε ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ ἀββᾶ μου Σάβα, μή με ἐγκαταλείπῃς ('Lord God of my abbot Sabas, do not forsake me!').<br><br>27-28. On 21 January 492, Sabas, at the age of 54, goes to the mount of Kastellion, 20 miles east of the laura, a haunted place which he cleanses from its demons. There, he establishes a cenobitic monastery in 493, which is used for the training of young monks, before they are admitted to live as hermits in the laura.<br><br>29. Sabas admits no beardless boys to the monastery, but commends them to the coenobium of Theodosios, with whom he has a close spiritual connection.<br><br>30. Patriarch Sallustius appoints both of them as superiors of all the monks of Jerusalem, Theodosios presiding over the coenobia, and Sabas over the hermits.<br><br>31. In 494, Elias becomes Patriarch. Sabas buys land and builds hostels for his laura.<br><br>32. More buildings are built at the laura, including a new church, dedicated to *Mary the Theotokos (S00033), which is built in order to serve the growing Armenian group.<br><br>The establishment of the New Laura, and other monasteries<br>33. The rebellious group of monks (ch. 19) causes troubles again, and Sabas moves to the region of Scythopolis, in order to live as a hermit near the river of Gadara. Episode with a lion which lived in his cave.<br><br>34. He becomes famous and attracts disciples also there.<br><br>35. He returns to the Great Laura, but, unable to reconcile himself with the rebels, he goes to the area of Nicopolis and lives there as a hermit, creating a new monastery. With the support of Patriarch Elias, Sabas returns and takes leadership of his laura.<br><br>36. The rebellious monks react violently and destroy some buildings of the monastery, and leave. After wanderings, they settle at an old abandoned settlement of schismatic monks at the stream of Thekoa (Tekoa/Tuqu'), using the shrine of *Amos (Old Testament Prophet, S01419) (τὸ προφητεῖον τὸ ἐν Θεκώοις τοῦ ἁγίου Ἀμὼς) as a church. This new settlement is called the New Laura. Despite their malicious behaviour, Sabas sympathises with the difficulties which the breakout brotherhood faces, and provides them with material support. He builds for them buildings, and appoints an abbot for their community (in 507). The first Origenist monks join the New Laura, but keep their heterodoxy private, as long as Sabas is alive.<br><br>37. Foundation of the coenobium of the Spelaion (Cave), 15 stades west of the Great Laura (Megiste Laura). Notable clerics from this monastery.<br><br>38. Sabas converts to Orthodoxy two Nestorian monks who lived in a tower built by the empress Eudocia in the eastern desert. He establishes a new monastery there.<br><br>39-41. Stories about the monk Iakobos, and the foundation of the Heptastomos Laura near the Megiste.<br><br>42. Establishment of the coenobium of Zannos.<br><br>Holy men living at the Laura, and miracles of Sabas<br>43. Death of the holy monk Anthimos who lived near the Megiste Laura.<br><br>44. The story of the holy man Aphrodisios. They buried him ‘with the presbyters’, and Sabas ordered that his tomb be placed at such a place where visitors should recognise and venerate it.<br><br>45. Sabas heals Gerontios from Madaba.<br><br>46. Sabas transforms vinegar into wine.<br><br>47. Sabas checks a disciple who looked at a girl.<br><br>48. Sabas turns bitter pumpkins into sweet.<br><br>49. Sabas heals a lion which follows and serves him in the desert. Story of the Syrian disciple Flais (Flavius?) and his donkey.<br><br>Doctrinal strife under the emperor Anastasius (AD 511-518)<br>50-54. Sabas is sent by Patriarch Elias to Constantinople, as a member of an embassy to the emperor Anastasius in 511. Elias was in conflict with Anastasius on account of the emperor's opposition to Chalcedonian Orthodoxy. Sabas is received with respect by the emperor and is allowed to spend the winter at the court. He prevents the deposition of Elias by Anastasius, and meets the empress Ariadne and orthodox ladies of the court. He achieves the cancellation of a tribute imposed on the Anastasis and other shrines in Jerusalem.<br><br>55. While in Constantinople, Sabas sends money in order to turn the house of his family in Moutalaske (Cappadocia) into a church of *Kosmas and Damianos (brothers, physicians and martyrs in Syria, S00385). He converts to orthodoxy the Monophysite abbot Mamas. When he returns to Palestine, Sabas distributes equally to his monasteries the money given to him by the emperor.<br><br>56. Events following the appointment of the opponent of Chalcedon Severus as Patriarch of Antioch. Elias of Jerusalem is deposed and exiled. His successor John III (516-524) promises to be in communion with Severus, but the reaction of the monks makes him change his mind. A gathering of 10,000 monks led by Sabas and Theodosios at the basilica of *Stephen (the first martyr, S00030) in Jerusalem anathematises the opponents of Chalcedon. The basilica is described as the only church of the city which could accommodate such a great crowd.<br><br>57. The letter of Sabas and Theodosios to the emperor is quoted. The deposition of Patriarch John III is prevented by the outbreak of Vitalian’s uprising.<br><br>58. Recapitulation of Sabas’ monastic foundations: the Great (Megiste) Laura, the New (Nea) Laura, the Heptastomos, the Kastellion, the Spelaion, and the monasteries of Scholarios and Zannos. Besides these new foundations, Sabas also provided support for the ancient coenobia of Euthymios and Theoktistos. Famine and drought scourge the region after the deposition and exile of Patriarch Elias (AD 516).<br><br>59. Miracle concerning disobedience.<br><br>60. The deposed Patriarch Elias dies in exile, while being visited by Sabas. Elias is warned about his own death by a vision which announces to him that the emperor Anastasius has also died (AD 518). After the accession of Justin I, Orthodoxy is restored.<br><br>Reign of Justin I (518-527)<br>61. The new Patriarch, John, sends Sabas to Caesarea and Scythopolis, in order to present the imperial letters requiring the inscription of the Council of Chalcedon in the ecclesiastical diptychs. At Caesarea, he is received by the revered ascetic bishop *Ioannes of Chozeba (S02030). A