Episode 1134: St Sabbas

Saint Sabbas the Goth, also known as Saint Sabas of Wallachia, was a Christian saint who lived during the 4th century AD. He is revered as one of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, a group of Roman soldiers who suffered martyrdom for their faith in Christ.

Sabbas was born in the region of Thrace, which is now part of modern-day Bulgaria, around the year 334 AD. He was a soldier in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Licinius, who persecuted Christians. Despite the risks involved, Sabbas openly professed his Christian faith and refused to participate in pagan rituals or sacrifices.

During the winter of 320 AD, when Licinius was stationed in Sebaste (in present-day Turkey), he ordered all the soldiers in his army to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. Sabbas and his fellow soldiers, who were Christians, refused to comply with this order. As a result, they were subjected to severe torture and harsh punishments.

Despite enduring excruciating pain and suffering, Sabbas and his companions remained steadfast in their faith. They were stripped of their clothing and left exposed on a frozen lake to freeze to death. However, by a miraculous intervention, one of the guards overseeing their execution experienced a vision of angels descending and crowning the martyrs with wreaths of victory. Touched by this sight, the guard professed his faith in Christ and joined them on the ice, thus increasing their number to forty.

In the morning, the guards found that all but one of the martyrs had died from exposure to the cold. Sabbas, who was still alive, was taken down from the cross and given medical treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries a few days later, thus completing his martyrdom.

The bravery and steadfastness of Sabbas and the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste became renowned throughout the Christian world, and they were venerated as saints. Their feast day is celebrated on March 9th in the Eastern Orthodox Church and on March 10th in the Roman Catholic Church.

Saint Sabbas the Goth is particularly revered in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, where he is regarded as a model of faithfulness and endurance in the face of persecution. His life and martyrdom continue to inspire Christians to stand firm in their beliefs, even in the most challenging circumstances.