Just before Easter in the year of Our Lord 372, pagan soldiers arrested Sabbas. Their tortures seemed to have no effect, and he did not even try to escape when given an opportunity. After refusing yet again to eat unclean meats, he was sentenced to death by drowning. On the way to the river, the soldiers considered secretly releasing him, but Sabbas urged them to obey their orders. Praising God to the very last, Sabbas was held under the water by a wooden rod or branch, and thus martyred by water and wood, the symbols of baptism and the Holy Cross.
April 12th St. Sabbas the Goth
Moderators: Johnna, MarieT, Denise, KarlB
April 12th St. Sabbas the Goth
Sabbas was born in the year of Our Lord 334, in what is now Romania. He converted to Christianity as a young man and served primarily as a cantor. Around the year 370, the rulers of the Gothic people began to persecute Christians, especially by requiring the consumption of meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Sabbas spoke out publicly against compliance, even if the unclean meats were secretly switched out for clean ones by friendly officials, since this would still bring scandal. As a result, Sabbas was temporarily banished from his town by weaker Christians.
Just before Easter in the year of Our Lord 372, pagan soldiers arrested Sabbas. Their tortures seemed to have no effect, and he did not even try to escape when given an opportunity. After refusing yet again to eat unclean meats, he was sentenced to death by drowning. On the way to the river, the soldiers considered secretly releasing him, but Sabbas urged them to obey their orders. Praising God to the very last, Sabbas was held under the water by a wooden rod or branch, and thus martyred by water and wood, the symbols of baptism and the Holy Cross.
Just before Easter in the year of Our Lord 372, pagan soldiers arrested Sabbas. Their tortures seemed to have no effect, and he did not even try to escape when given an opportunity. After refusing yet again to eat unclean meats, he was sentenced to death by drowning. On the way to the river, the soldiers considered secretly releasing him, but Sabbas urged them to obey their orders. Praising God to the very last, Sabbas was held under the water by a wooden rod or branch, and thus martyred by water and wood, the symbols of baptism and the Holy Cross.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
Re: April 12th St. Sabbas the Goth
it astounds me the grace given gifts of our ancestor christians
The question is not : why did God allow his faithful to be subjected to horrendous tortures,
but instead, what was the reason for their role in God's divine plan.
The stories that are told like St Sabbas' own, that it did result in the
conversion of even hard hearted imperial soldiers
so next time something goes bad for us,
let us consider what my role in the providence of God
and my burden, how does that affect someone in a way
unbeknown to me to bring about their salvation
We all have our crosses, but as Jesus' cross brings everlasting
life, may we also touch others in our suffering.
His grace is enough.
The question is not : why did God allow his faithful to be subjected to horrendous tortures,
but instead, what was the reason for their role in God's divine plan.
The stories that are told like St Sabbas' own, that it did result in the
conversion of even hard hearted imperial soldiers
so next time something goes bad for us,
let us consider what my role in the providence of God
and my burden, how does that affect someone in a way
unbeknown to me to bring about their salvation
We all have our crosses, but as Jesus' cross brings everlasting
life, may we also touch others in our suffering.
His grace is enough.
"He who followeth Me, walketh not in darkness." sayeth the Lord
Re: April 12th St. Sabbas the Goth
Amen to that, Marie!
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales