Saint Sabbas was born around 439, in Cappadocia, into the family of John and Sophia. Soon, when he was eight years old, he was left in care of his uncle. Then he left his family and went to the monastery of St Flavian.
In the monastery small Sabbas became a novice, and in 17 years he was made a monk. After spending 10 years in the monastery, he moved to the Palestinian monastery of Passarion the Great.
Fate brought him to Euthymius the Great, and listening to his piece of advice of the man of wisdom, Sabbas moved to the monastery of Mukellik. In this monastery, he spent 17 years in the service of Theoktist. After the death of Theoktist, Sabbas lived into seclusion for 5 years.
After Euthymius the Great leaves this world, Sabbas goes to Jordanian desert and settles near the monastery of Venerable Gerasimus of Jordan. There he is followed by his disciples.
In 484 Sabbas begins construction of the cave church, which later became the basis for the monastery of Sabbas the Sanctified.
Saint Sabbas did a lot of great things during his life - he founded seven monasteries in the Jordanian desert, helping the poor and did not strand apart from the lepers. Thanks to hard work and wisdom Sabbas becomes the guardian and the chief of all Palestinian monasteries, which include lonely cells or gatherings of hermit dwellings.
Monk Sabbas died on December 5th , in 532. His relics, which are considered miracle – working and undecayed, were taken to Venice, to the church of San Antonio, but soon were returned to his homeland again. On November 12th, in 1965 the saint's relics were placed into Lavra of Sabbas the Priest.
