The (UNABBRIDGED) Life and Struggles of Our Holy Father Amongst The Saints
SAVVAS the Sanctified
1Whose Memory the Holy Church Celebrates on the 5
th/ 18
th(Old Calendar) of December
And on October 13
thon the occasion of the return of Saint Savvas’ relics to Palestine after being stolen by
Latins
(Εορτή: Σάββας, Σάβας, Σάββας, Σαββούλης, Σαβούλη, Σαββούλα, Σαβούλα , “Βούλα”
/ Feast: Savvas, Sabbas, Savas, Sabas, Savvoula, “Voula”, Savvouli, Savvitsa, Savitsa)
+++
Troparion of St Sabbas the Sanctified- tone 1
Sanctified from youth, O righteous Sabbas,/ thou wast a summit of righteousness equal to the Angels./ Thou didst lead a heavenly life, and guide thy flock to godliness by word and deed./ And they cry to thee with faith:/ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; Glory to Him Who
has crowned thee;/ Glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
O blessed Sabbas, thou wast offered from thine infancy through thy great virtue as a pure and spotless sacrifice unto God, Who ere thy birth, verily foreknew thee; wherefore thou wast an adornment of the righteous Saints, an all-praised founder of cities in the wilderness. Hence, I
cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father of great renown.
BRIEF READING OF VENERABLE SAINT SAVVAS'S LIFE
Our Venerable, Godbearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified (533)
"This Saint was born in 439 in Moutalaska, a small village of Cappadocia. He entered the arena of the monastic life from childhood and was under that master trainer of monastics, Euthymius the Great, the teacher of the desert. He became the spiritual father of many monks and an instructor for the monasteries in Palestine, and was appointed leader (archimandrite) of the desert-dwellers of Palestine by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. In his old age he went to Constantinople, to the Emperors Anastasius and Saint Justinian the Great, in behalf of the Orthodox Faith and the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon. Having lived ninety-four years, he reposed in 533. The Typicon for the ecclesiastical services had its beginning in the monastery established by this righteous one."
THE CHILDHOOD OF ST. SAVVAS
Our wondrous father Savvas, great in virtue, was from the village of Mutalascas in Cappadocia where, in the year 439, he was born to devout and eminent parents, John and Sophia. When the child was five years of age, his parents went to Alexandria on business of military importance, for his father served in the army. They left Savvas and his entire estate with one of his father’s brothers, named Hermias, who was to undertake his education in the event of his parents’ death. Therefore, the child was reared in his uncle’s house. However, his aunt was bad tempered and ill-disposed and apt to take offence for the slightest reason. Thus, Savvas departed and went to another brother of his father, named Gregory. He spent only a little while there, yet all observed and admired his upright conduct for by no means did he play as other children, or engage in other mischievous pastimes, but was known even then as a “prudent Old Man.” Approximately twenty stadia from Mutalascas was the Monastery of Flavian. The excellent Christian youth desired to strive for his salvation, and he disdained wealth, money, worldly fame and everything else that captivates the spirit of youth. Therefore despising every bodily delight for the sake of divine love, he betook himself to the aforementioned monastery, begging the superior to number him amongst his flock and to tonsure and make him a monastic, The Abbot received him with joy, observing his willingness and Godly inclinations. However, the uncles of Savvas went to the monastery, and, plying him with various reasons and exhortations, they strove to dissuade him from remaining in the monastery, saying that it was better to be married, to have children and to enjoy a life similar to their own, instead of enduring hardships and ascetical labors. But Savvas, being wise and sensible, did not heed their spiritually harmful but unsuccessful words, preferring to remain in the house of God, rather than live with his relatives.
He called to mind the parable of the rich man and Lazarus [Lk. 16: 19-31}: the rich man had great wealth on earth and every comfort, yet when he needed a drop of water, no one gave him any, and he was grievously tormented by his burning tongue. Again, the poor man was in straits and afflictions on earth, yet went to the Bosom of Abraham and enjoyed ineffable and everlasting delight.
THE MONASTERY OF FLAVIAN
Thus, the goodly youth showed himself from childhood to be wiser than his elders, judging it foolish to choose eternal damnation for temporary pleasures. Accordingly, he continued in the monastery, in subjection to all its ordinances, and hardships required by the monastic way of life, which he indefatigably kept. His continence and extreme abstinence attained to a level such as the following story will portray. One day, while working in the garden, he espied a tree laden with fragrant and ripened apples, and as a man, he was overcome and took one to eat. Afterwards, he recognized that it had been an allurement of the devil
designed to bring him to violate the appointed hour (that is, to eat before the assigned time). He called to mind the extreme evil that befell our first parents when they did not keep the divine command. Therefore Savvas cast the apple to the ground and did not eat it. In fact, not only on this one occasion, but thereafter, he imposed upon himself a rule never to partake of apples for the remainder of his life, and utterly vanquished and trampled bravely upon the demon of gluttony and the rest of the passions, so much so that he surpassed all the other monastics of the monastery in vigilance, prayerfulness, humility and all other spiritual accomplishments, so that from his youth he was vouchsafed to perform miracles, one of which is the following.
One particular day it rained, and the baker was soaked and was at a loss how to dry his garments; inasmuch as there was no sun, he placed them in the oven. The following day, he forgot to remove them and lit the oven to bake bread. Then he remembered his clothing and grieved, for the fire was lit and it was impossible to extinguish it immediately. The divine Savvas, who disdained his body, straightway went into the oven and retrieved the garments undamaged, without so much as singing a single hair of his head. They that saw this marveled, and from that hour they respected him not as a child, but as a revered elder (which presaged his future virtues and the boldness before God of which he is deemed worthy).
After he passed a sufficient time a Flavian’s, he earnestly desired to go up to Jerusalem, on the one hand to become familiar with the Holy Land (Palestine), and also to search out righteous and holy men from whom to profit spiritually. Therefore, he besought the abbot to permit his departure. The abbot, however, would not relent, for he desired Savvas to remain in his monastery, to be of benefit to the brethren. Wherefore, he advised Savvas to abide in the coenobium; for it was better to submit to others, than do one’s own will. But God, who foreknew the future, sent an angel to the abbot to proclaim the following message: “Do not attempt to hinder Savvas any further, but permit his departure to pursue his desire.” Consequently, the abbot released him.
Savvas took leave of all the brethren and departed. At that time he was eighteen years old, ten of which he had spent in the monastery, for he had been only eight years old when he was garbed in the Schema and had forsaken everything that is of this world.
SAINT SAVVAS IN JERUSALEM
He arrived in Jerusalem during wintertime and lodged in the monastery of the holy Passarion, who was an elder from Cappadocia. Archimandrite Passarion (commemorated on the 11th of August) had taken part in the consecration of St. Efthimios’ church. He was looked back to as a primary figure in the monastic
life of Jerusalem, where he founded a famous almshouse outside the east gate of the city and a great and beautiful coenobium within the walls of Holy Sion for the devotees of that shrine, for the service and psalmody of those who without ceasing glorify the Lord. 2 Savvas tarried there until winter passed.
News of his arrival spread everywhere, and, learning of his divinely-inspired mode of life, many vied among themselves, desiring to acquire him for their monastery. However, the blessed one did not wish to join any of them, for he loved solitude. He also had heard of the illustrious Efthimios’ virtues that he illumined the “Desert of the East” and shone more brightly than the sun in his teachings and miracles. His heart was consumed with the desire to become a disciple of the great Efthimios-for verily, they loved the same things. Savvas desired to nourish his soul spiritually with Efthimios’s virtues and to grow.
SAINT SAVVAS MEETS SAINT EFTHIMIOS
Savvas repaired thither and fell at the feet of the holy Efthimios, entreating him with tears to receive him into his flock and to shepherd him with the rest of the sheep. Now Efthimios, being experienced and eminent in spiritual struggles, took into account the youth’s tender years and did not wish to accept him immediately into his Lavra, but sent him to the monastery which he had apart from the Lavra, where Theoktistos (commemorated the 3rd of September) was in
charge. He explained to Savvas that he should remain steadfast there until he grew a beard and became well instructed in the precepts of his monastic calling. The blessed Savvas, who was already trained in all the virtues, was not opposed to this, but said to Efthimios with respect and humility: “Holy Father, I came here on account of thy sanctity, that thou mightest guide me to salvation, and I am ready to obey all they soul-saving commands.”
Nevertheless, Efthimios sent Savvas to Theoktistos, with a written message to the affect that Savvas was replete with the Holy Spirit, and that Theoktistos should govern him carefully, for, in the future, Savvas would fill the whole world with his glory. Theoktistos acknowledged Efthimios’ foresight, and verily, all this occurred. (Efthimios built the huge Palestinian Lavra and countless monastics flocked there. Afterwards, Savvas became a standard and model of the loftiest level of sanctity, for he provided the monks with laws and ordinances, just as he had learned from the great Efthimios.3This also included the provision
that they were never to accept a beardless one, which to this day is preserved irrevocably). Therefore, the divine Savvas stayed with the blessed Theoktistos and ministered diligently in all manual labors - that is, carrying wood and water, tilling the garden and doing other heavy work, which he executed assiduously, for he was not only humble and good-natured, but was powerful physically and tall in stature. Wherefore he assisted everyone happily, and all were thankful and loved him.
However, despite his bodily labors, the blessed one was never absent or missing from nocturnal prayers and services, and he performed his daily tasks tirelessly. Futhermore, in the night offices, he was first present, and all marveled to behold such blameless conduct and perfect propriety in one so young. But the devil also took notice of his eager readiness and attempted to lead him away from divine love in the following manner.
SAINT SAVVAS IN ALEXANDRIA
There was a brother in the monastery named John, from Alexandria, who oft-times besought the blessed Theoktistos to give him leave to go to Alexandria, where his parents had reposed, that he might put their estate in order. Furthermore, he requested that Savvas be given him as a traveling companion, for he was strong, skilled and eager in every service he performed. With reluctance, Theoktistos consented and sent Savvas to Alexandria to investigate John’s affairs and to execute all the required particulars. However, in Alexandria there were also the parents of Savvas, who recognized their son and were determined to hold him and to coerce him by various means. They endeavored to have him replace his father in the army and, with it, to receive honor and glory from the Emperor. The Blessed Savvas perceived this to be an invention of the evil one, that, by the love and favor displayed by his parents, he might impede and even drive Savvas away from his spiritual exercises and make him turn back. He answered them with wisdom and prudence: “It is not proper to love you more than my master, for He said: ‘He that loves their Father and Mother more than ME is not worthy of ME’ [Mt. 10:37], nor to prefer the temporal army before that of the Gospel, for whosoever deserts the army of the earthly emperor is severely punished and censured; how much more will I, wretched that I am, heap dishonor upon myself by holding contempt the heavenly King and violating the Angelic Schema? Therefore, if you want me to have you as my parents, do not raise this subject anymore!’
Therefore, they withdrew from him, not being able restrain him. But they insisted that he take at least a certain amount of gold (twenty gold pieces) for his support, maintenance and minor expenses. However he took only three coins, and this only so as not to offend them, yet, in so doing, he did not condescend to them, for when he returned to the preparatory monastery, he gave them over to Theoktistos, in order not to possess anything himself.
SAINT THEOKTISTOS REPOSES
When Savvas had sojourned there for ten years, the holy Theoktistos reposed, and the great Efthimios appointed another abbot named Longinus. At the time of the elevation of Longinus, Savvas was thirty years of age, being skilled and perfect in every form of ascetism. He had a great yearning to retire to a solitary and
desolate area and requested permission to depart from Longinus, who in turn wrote to the great Efthimios to apprise him of the matter, for, without his counsel, Longinus would do nothing. Now the illustrious Efthimios knew the extraordinary fervor of Savvas with regard to spiritual matters and his divine love, so he replied that by no means should Savvas be detained, but should be left to his own, to fulfill his desire . When Savvas received his sanction, he went to a cave which was located to the south of the monastery and there remained from Monday to Friday, without sustenance, occupying himself with prayer and applying himself to his handiwork.
Every Saturday, he brought to the monastery fifty straw baskets. Afterwards, he would gather up palms, that is date-palm leaves, for his weekly work, and would enter into the cavern. There he lived for five years.
LENTEN RETREAT
The divine Efthimios took note of Savvas' manner of life and, at thirty-five, called him "the young elder." Efthimios had a yearly custom, after the "Feast of the Theophany", to enter the inner desert and struggle ascetically the entire Great Fast. He took Savvas into his company, together with another disciple, Domition of Melitene, one of the deacons of the Lavra (where he continued to serve until his death.). 4 Accordingly, they would return again to the Lavra for the Holy
Resurrection (Pascha). Therefore, the three made ready and repaired into the utter wilderness adjacent to the Dead Sea. Inasmuch, as they had walked long and far, and the land was barren, and the days were scorching and excessively hot, Savvas became dehydrated and exhausted. Unable to walk any further, he fainted, falling to the ground like one dead. Now when Efthimios saw him thus, he was quite distressed and went a little distance apart and made entreaty before God, saying: "O God our Master, Have Compassion on thy servant, this young man, and bestow water, that he not die of thirst and the burning heat!" Following Efthimios' prayer, he struck the earth three times with his hoe, and the earth aroused by divine power, hearkened--O The Wonder!-- and from a waterless and barren desert sprang forth delicious and sweet water. Moreover , at the moment Savvas refreshed himself, he invisibly obtained divine vigor and no longer weary or faint on the arduous road ahead.
After they arrived at an appropriate spot, the holy Savvas exerted himself in every way to emulate Efthimios the Great; him alone did he have as an archetype of godliness, a living icon and encouragement, so as not to deviate ever from his rules and customs.
But, within a short span, Efthimios, the superior one in virtue, departed to the Lord. After the repose of their teacher, his disciples gradually became careless and did not pursue righteousness or their ascetic exercises eagerly. Wherefore, the divine Savvas prolonged his exile in the wilderness near the Jordan River, during the same time and in the same place where the great Gerasimos struggled. Savvas was thirty-five years when the devil commenced his most severe warfare against him. Not only invisibly did he subject Savvas to troubles, but tempted him secretly, as he acts against all the virtuous. Both this kind and obvious temptations the treacherous one perpetrated in order to intimidate him so that he would not continue to dwell in the wilderness.
THE STRUGGLES OF SAINT SAVVAS
One particular night, upon reclining to rest a little from the great exertion he had put forth to perform his ascetic endeavors, he saw nearby a serpent, scorpions and other species of reptiles, which advanced and threatened to sting or bite him. At first, Savvas was frightened, but then he reasoned within himself that this was a snare of the demons, and so he valiantly arose and prayed thusly: “Thou shalt not be afraid be afraid for the terror by night”…and “upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread…”[Ps. 90:5, 13]. When the blessed man pronounced these words, all those venomous creatures vanished like smoke. Within a few days, once more the devil assumed the appearance of a fierce and huge lion moving as though to lunge at him. However, the saint did not behave in the least like a coward, but declared, completely unruffled: “If thou hast received authority from God to assail me, be not negligent about it, for I am prepared to be devoured by thee according to the divine behest, but, if not, why dost thou vainly trouble thyself? I am able to tread upon thee by my Master’s power.” After Savvas uttered these words, the saint subdued not only intangible creatures, but, bodily ones as well, the latter of which he shared his cave with and in no way was harmed by them.
THE FOUR HAGARENES
On one occasion, he encountered four Hagarenes on the road, who were suffering from extreme hunger, to their great imperilment. Therefore, when they saw Savvas, they asked him if he had anything to eat. With compassion, he took them to his cave, spread his mantle (monastic cloak of sheepskin, also called
melote and might be used as a blanket for the monk to sleep on; it could be used for carrying a monk’s few possessions.)5 over the ground and treated them
hospitably with whatever he had, that is, the hearts of reed and canes and wild roots of plants. The Hagarenes respected his goodness and marveled at his love towards strangers. Now, they ate whatever they could find and, thanking him, departed. Within a few short days, they brought him cheeses, breads and dates. The blessed one, as an industrious honeybee, collected in every place what was useful, thus profited spiritually in this instance also and said unto himself: “Woe to thee my miserable soul, ungrateful before the Benefactor! Behold, for one small and mean favor that the barbarians obtained, many gifts from the Creator, what recompense do we offer? Which of His Commandments do we keep? What excuse will we give to the Lord in the Hour of Judgement?”
ANTHOS
Savvas had a monastic friend named Anthos, who accompanied him into the desert, that they might labor in ascetic practices together. (It was through this Anthos that Savvas became friends with blessed Theodosios the Coenobiarch.) However, in a few days, certain perverse and wayward barbarian men came thither, intending to slay them. In order to find some small excuse, the barbarians dispatched to the cave one of their group, who would pick a quarrel with the ascetics and feign having suffered an injury at their hands. They wished to slander the saint falsely in order to provoke him to take offence and utter one word of rebuke and, on that pretext, they would slay him. Meanwhile, the others stood without, but as they began to move forward, the saint perceived the approaching peril. He then raised up as a weapon the following holy prayer, saying before the Lord: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God!” [Ps. 19;7] (And the remainder of the psalm), where upon - O The Wonder!!-the ground was riven apart and swallowed the one that entered the cave. The others, witnessing such a dreadful sight, were aghast and quaked with fear and fled in terror. Henceforward, neither they, nor any other malefactors, dared to attempt anything against them; furthermore, not even the demons undertook to trouble them. Wherefore, Savvas dwelt without apprehension in the desert.
THE VISION
It was after this period of time that Savvas founded the Great Lavra, famed for its excellence and spaciousness, in the following wondrous manner.:
After Savvas spent four years in the wilderness, on one occasion he went up a high mountain, where it is said that the blessed Empress Evdokia (commemorated on the 13th of August) was instructed by the great Efthimios. Once there, Savvas passed the night in prayer and beheld a wondrous vision. A
most beautiful woman appeared to him, garbed in a robe of light, and revealed to him a wadi which ran southward to Siloam and said the following: “If thou desirest with all thine heart to convert this place into a city, stop and look to the east of this wadi that you see. Opposite the wadi, there is a cave, which is uninhabited. Go and dwell therein, and I will send thee assistance from on high, for God, ‘Who gives to the beasts their food, and to the younglings of the
ravens that call upon Him,’ [Ps. 146:9-10], He will provide for thee.” At that point, the vision ended. Afterwards, the saint was filled with joy and gladness, and, as if wisely guided aright by divine providence, he entered into the cave.
The area was quite impassable, and he made his way aloft with extreme difficulty. Consequently, whenever he required water from the spring called Eptastoma, He had to travel fifteen stadia (nearly two miles) from his cavern. As a result, he had a rope made to hang down from his lodging to the foot of the hill in order to facilitate matters. Apart from this, he employed no other convenience or comfort for bodily need. Moreover, he sustained himself with only the herbs that sprang up spontaneously near the cave. But God, Who prompted him to inhabit this place, sent him aid according to His divine promise in this manner: He enlightened the Ishmaelites that had revered Savvas (and sent cheeses, breads, dates and other various edibles -see “Four Hagarenes”) to furnish him provisions there too, not only on that one occasion, or twice or thrice, but many times, as if they were offering him tribute.
At that time, he was forty years old. It was then that Anastasios was Archbishop of Hierosolyma (Jerusalem)who, after completing nineteen years as Patriarch, died at the beginning of July, leaving Martyrios as his successor; it was during the reign of the Emperor Zeno.
After Martyrios reigned for eight years, reposing on April 13th, he was succeeded by Salust (Sallustios). 6
THE LAVRA
The saint dwelt in this cave for five years with great silence, and would spend his time in prayer to God. Now from that time, the attempts of the demons were futile, and they fled, not being to look upon him. Therefore, he had a respite from the demons. Moreover, he was also at peace with men. He received others into his most excellent synodia who kept the commandments of the Lord precisely; they were attracted to Savvas as a magnet to iron through his irreproachable life and good repute, notwithstanding his superlative virtues.
Therefore, slowly Savvas began to receive all them that came to remain with him. Many anchorites, who were scattered like sheep, came and resided with Savvas. Among them was Saint John, who later became the abbot of the New Lavra; Blessed James, who later established the Lavra of the Towers at Jordan; Severian, who was revered amongst the monastics for his spiritual accomplishments and his building of the Monastery of Carparvaricha; the great Firminus, who established a Lavra in the area of Michmash; similarly, Julian, who was called Kyrtos and reestablished the Lavra of Kelkerava, which is located near the Jordan; likewise, many others “whose names are in the book of life.”7
Inasmuch as they that flocked to him increased, he was compelled to build cells in the manner of a lavra, to work the land and to perform other services necessary for their bodily needs. First, they constructed a fountain towards the northern side of the mountain, where there is a spring by the wadi. Later, they erected a church (katholikon) and expanded the lavra. Since the holy temple was without a priest, whomever visited and happened to be a priest, Savvas obliged to serve “the Divine Liturgy”. Savvas was very temperate and humble-minded , and he revered the magnitude and dignity of the order of the priest. For this reason, he, declined, to be ordained himself, nor were his monks ordained, for he thought that no religious man could aspire to that dignity without presumption.
Savvas was both sensible and acclaimed in the monastic profession. He strengthened the brotherhood every day and hour in whatever they asked; he advised some and others he reproved. To put it simply, he exhorted and incited all to remain steadfast and brave before the temptations of the demons and to bear magnanimously the hardships of the eremitical life without any sadness, but rather, to rejoice cheerfully in the hope of the future rewards, whereby, with a little effort here, they might enjoy paradise hereafter. He said these things in addition to many other instructions, for Savvas was ever ready to clear away every stumbling block and hindrance and to have his disciples soar to virtue above the snares of the evil one, and this he accomplished. He took special care for all their bodily necessities, that they might not be overburdened by deprivations and turn back into the world.
THE WATER SUPPLY
As we mentioned earlier, the water supply was quite a long distance from his cavern, he felt sympathy for the monks because they were distressed by the extreme inconvenience of fetching it. Wherefore, one night, the saint fervently besought the Lord with this prayer: “O Master, God Almighty, if according to thy hidden wisdom and economy and the good pleasure of thy Grace that Thy blameless servants inhabit this place and praise Thee unceasingly, look down in Thy loving-kindness upon us and command Thine earth to put forth a spring of water nearby for our refreshment and enjoyment.”
Thus, he prayed, and immediately he heard a raping noise down in the wadi. When he leaned over to look, he saw a wild ass (for there was a full moon), which struck the ground with its hoof, and as he made a small pit, water oozed forth, and the beast drank of it. On beholding this sight, Savvas exalted greatly, recognizing it as a visitation of divine providence. He descended with a hoe to dig a little more in that spot and, straightway-O Thine Inexpressible Grace, O Master!!-sweet water sprang forth, which he carried back to the lavra, with this water, all the fathers were and are served to this day; in the winter it does not overflow, nor at harvest time does it diminish, but is ever abundant and sufficient.
THE GOD-BUILT CHURCH
On another occasion, when the saint happened to be in another part of the wadi, reciting the Psalms of David, he saw near the precipice a pillar of fire the top of which reached to the very heights of Heaven. Beholding this phenomenon, he was struck with both great joy and fear, realizing it was a mysterious wonder. Even when it had been there six days, the vision of the fiery column still persisted.
Nearby, the saint saw an extraordinary cave, literally resembling a church. It had, toward the eastern part, a recess (a natural apse), not made by man, but constructed by the divine right hand of God. To the south, it possessed a broad entranceway, which allowed the sun to fill the interior of the cave with light, and down in the lower levels, a mild and refreshing breeze would descend. The northern side had an adjacent cave that contained a chamber which would serve as a sacristy. Therefore, when Savvas discovered this God-Built structure, he converted it into a splendid temple employing human craftsmanship wherever nature was lacking.
He ordered all the brethren to meet with him every Saturday and Sunday to chant the divine services in public worship. They soon grew to 150 fathers. He observed on top of the high cliff above the cave church a certain rock formation. He built for himself, a Tower from which a secret tunnel led down to the sacristy. He did this so that he might rest quietly when he desired; and from this he would enter the church from the interior.8
***
The God-Build Church - Theoctistos-must at once have reminded Savvas of the Cave Church of St. Theoctistos, where he served his novitiate, which is in plan remarkably similar, though, on a smaller scale, Fear of ordination made Savvas put off its consecration. The secret tunnel which he made was blocked, after his death, by the construction of the cisterns. Gifts began to come in, which he spent mostly on building. The Patriarch Martyrios knew him of Old, and no one dared oppose him. Chitty, pp. 106-107
TARES AMONG THE WHEAT
daily life demands, for the number of monastics under his direction increased greatly. Whatever donations came in, the blessed man did not keep but spent in building cells and on a variety of other projects,
However, oft-times ‘tares sprout among the wheat’ [Mt. 13:25], as do briers in the vineyard, just as it happened when a disciple became a betrayer (Judas), or when Cain committed fratricide [Gen 4:8], and in many other similar instances, all these came to pass through envy, as is recounted in a vast number of books. In like manner, this occurred in the synodia of the holy Savvas to certain dissatisfied ones, who were not really disciples, but rather rebels with perverse ways. They hated the blessed man and sought some pretext, if they could, to injure him.
Therefore, they went to see the then Patriarch of Jerusalem. Since they could not accuse him of being a transgressor, they slandered him. They claimed he was unworthy to shepherd such a great flock of monastic and requested that the Patriarch appoint another abbot. And, in order to prevent him from attaining the priesthood, they said many other things, even referring to Savvas as ignorant and boorish.
The Patriarch at that time was Sallustios (Salust) (486-494), who esteemed the saint for his merit and did not give any credence to their lies and wily words. However, in order to pacify them somewhat, he said to them: “Remain here until Savvas comes, and then I will carefully examine the matter.”
A certain presbyter named Kyrikos, who was abbot of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Holy Resurrection) and Stavrophylax (Cross-Warden), was present and heard everything they said, and addressed them: “Did Savvas receive you into that place, or did you receive him?” They answered: “He, of course, accepted us. But, since he is very uneducated, and we are great in number, he is incapable of governing us!” The Thrice-Blessed Kyrikos responded: “If he, as you confess, assembled you all in that place, and converted the wilderness into a true habitation, much more will he govern the land and yourselves, who gathered you and called you into his synod; for God, who collaborated to establish a Lavra, will help Savvas much more with governing it!” Then Patriarch Sallust dismissed them, saying : “Go now, consider the matter well, and come again another day.”9
Consequently, they tarried there, believing that the patriarch would divest Savvas of being the monastery’s superior and guardian and appoint another abbot in his stead. However, when the blessed man went up to Jerusalem, the patriarch, being a discerning judge, did not question Savvas. Instead of bringing forth the accusations of those present, he ordained him to the priesthood in 492 A.D.. afterwards, in the presence of Savvas’ accusers, he affirmed: “BEHOLD, now comes your abbot, who has been appointed by the Lord and not by Man; we have ordained him, not for his own interest, but for thine own!”
Immediately, after this announcement, the patriarch, Savvas, and his former calumniators returned to the lavra. Indeed, their first act was to consecrate the holy church. Therefore, they constructed a Holy Table (altar table), in which they deposited many holy relics, and thus it was consecrated on the 12th of
December. At that time, Savvas was fifty-three years old, and Emperor Anastasios was reigning (491-518).
THE SAINT INJURES HIMSELF
The saint was accustomed to maintaining and imitating the precepts of St. Efthimios (Eftimios) the Great. As we formerly mentioned (see: “Lenten Retreat”), St. Efthimios had the custom of withdrawing from the Lavra from the 20th of January until the Holy Resurrection (Pascha). Following his example, Savvas also
observed this rule and departed after the celebration of the Feast of Saint Anthony on the 17th of January in his own lavra, going to his old Master’s Monastery
for his memorial (mnimosino/panikhida) on the 20th, after which he would go off into the wilderness, to return to his lavra on the eve of Palm Sunday.
On one occasion, he crossed over the Dead Sea and noticed a remote islet, bereft of every comfort and consolation.10 Hence, he desired to dwell on it during the
days of the Great and Holy Fast. However, on his way there, due to the demons’ envy, he fell into a pool of bituminous deposit and burned his beard, face and other parts of his body. Afterwards, in the lavra, he lay for many days. Only by the sound of his voice was he recognized, his appearance was so altered. Furthermore, it was impossible for him to converse until the divine power of God from on high revealed itself and visited him to cure him completely and restore his health.
However, from the time that he burned his beard near Zoaram it would not grow anymore, but, remained sparse. He regarded the loss of his beard as God’s economy, and thanked Him for humbling him, so that he would not be pleased with the size of it.11
THE DISCIPLE AGAPIOS
With the passage of time, the saint once again went into solitude, taking as a companion one of his disciples named Agapios. On one of the ensuing days, Agapios was lying supine from hunger and exhaustion, and he fell asleep. Savvas, however, was awake and praying, when he realized a lion was standing over his disciple and was sniffing about him. The saint feared that perhaps the beast would devour Agapios; forthwith, he made an entreaty on his behalf to the Lord. As a result, the lion was put to flight by the power of his holy prayer, without any harm befalling Agapios. Only with its tail the lion brushed Agapios’ face; whereupon, he awoke. At first, the saint encouraged him, but afterwards admonished him to be more careful and no longer to be overcome by sleep, lest he be vanquished and injured by both visible and invisible creatures.
THE ANCHORITE
On another similar occasion, the saint again went with Agapios into the desert. Savvas gave him his skin bag to carry, which held dry bread enough to sustain his disciple during the time they would spend in the desert. As for Savvas himself, he ate nothing anyway for the entire Great and Holy Lent, except on Saturdays and Sundays, when he would partake of the Holy and Divine Mysteries.
They proceeded along the Jordan River, passing by the brink of a steep defile. At the summit, they observed a cave further off that was located on extremely impassable terrain. Therefore, utilizing every way possible, they ascended with difficulty and with much suffering or, rather, by the help of the Lord, who enlightened Savvas and guided him to the discovery of a hidden treasure to their great profit. They entered into the cave and beheld a most saintly ascetic, who had neither pots nor any type of vessel, but abided free of care and without provision for his survival. This thrice-blessed soul possessed the grace of clairvoyance. Therefore, the anchorite made a prayer, according to his custom, and said to the saint: “O Wondrous Savvas, what has motivated thee to discover this spot and come to us? For this, I marvel and am amazed, since for thirty-eight years, I have dwelt in this cave with the help of the Lord and have seen no one, nor have I ever spoken to any man!” And Savvas answered: “God, who has revealed my name to thee, has enlightened me and conducted me hither, that I may rejoice in thy presence!”
Thereafter, they conversed for a considerable length of time, receiving great delight in their souls. Then Savvas and Agapios took his blessing and departed. They tarried a great while in the wilderness and once more prepared to return to the monastery. As they passed by the region in which the anchorite dwelt, they decided to climb up to his cavern again. Whereupon, they beheld the solitary on his knees, facing east. They believed he was in the midst of prayer-and, therefore, still among the living. Patiently they persevered for many hours, waiting until nightfall. However, he never arose from that position off the ground. Savvas approached and said “Bless, Father!” but the anchorite did not respond. Wherefore, Savvas tapped him and understood that his blessed soul had been
translated to the Lord. He turned and said to Agapios: “Child (pedia), let us bury him, for this is why God has sent us.”
Thus with dignity and gravity of spirit, they bound up his holy relics and laid them to rest in a certain spot within the cave. They chanted the appropriate troparia for burial and, on completion of the service, blocked the entranceway of the cave with large rocks. Savvas and Agapios then passed on towards the lavra, returning on the Saturday of Saint Lazarus, and ultimately, for the holy celebration of the Savior’s Resurrection.
THE SAINT’S MOTHER
At the same time, the saint’s father, John Conon, reposed in Alexandria.12Now Savvas’ great renown had come to the ears of his mother. Sophia sold all her
possessions and, taking the silver received therefrom, traveled to the lavra.
Upon perceiving her son’s great advancement in virtue, she exulted with holy joy. Savvas counseled her to renounce the world and all temporary good things, if she desired, to enjoy life-eternal. Therefore, the wise child influenced his good-intentioned mother, and she became a nun. She remained a short while with him and then reposed, surrendering her soul into the hands of God after living a God-pleasing life. The saint interred her and spent all her money on diverse construction sites at the Lavra, including the hostelry, the surrounding inner wall and various other needful projects.
A DISCIPLE ON OBEDIENCE
The saint dispatched a certain brother with a pack animal to carry wood from Jericho in order to build an inn. On the return trip, since the beast was heavily laden, it began to thirst before reaching the lavra, for the sun was strong and burning. As a result, it was no longer able to convey the wood across the parched land, and it dropped to the earth and lay as if dead. The disciple recalled his teacher, who had great authority before the Lord, and exclaimed: ”O Lord God, help me by the intercessions of Savvas, Thy servant!” Straightway, as he said these word, God who set a pillar of cloud above Israel as a Guide [Ex. 13:21] set one over the monk, which overshadowed and refreshed him. Furthermore, -- O The Wonder!-it rained down and strengthened him. The cloud continued to follow and protect him from the sun until they arrived safe and sound at the monastery.
KASTELLION
There was a mountain called Kastellion about twenty stadia from the lavra. No one dared set foot in that rugged and remote territory, for it was the haunt of countless demons. Nevertheless, the saint placed his hope in the Lord and sprinkled the entire area with oil from the Lampada of the Holy Cross, and there he dwelt for the Great and Holy Fast. Now from the outset, he encountered fierce warfare from the demons, to the point that he wished to leave, not being able to bear the fearful disturbances that they caused. But the all-good Lord, Who of Old strengthened the Great Abba Anthony of Egypt, also encouraged Savvas to be patient and to persevere to the end. In fact, Savvas did pursue his struggles there, greatly strengthened by the aid of the Lord, Wherein he became so terrifying to the demons that he overcame, that they fled at the very sight of him. Wherefore, the righteous one was glad and continued his sojourn there in prayer until the end of the Fast
But again the demons marshaled their forces to test Savvas for a final assault, to see if it were possible to frighten him away. They transformed themselves into reptiles, beasts and ravens that thrashed about and producing a tremendous commotion. The saint was in no way disturbed by all this, but dauntless and firm, he prayed. Wherefore, they were unable to endure even the mere sight of him, and, of their own volition, conceded they were conquered.
Moaning in an almost human voice, they wailed: “Savvas, was It not enough for thee - the cave, the rocks, and, the wadi and wherever else thou dwellest in the wilderness? Didst thou have to cross our borders, to dispute with us and cast us out of our habitation? We are departing and leaving thee as Master, since we see thou hast God as an ally!” This and other things they lamented, as if weeping over their calamity, and making a thrashing sound, they departed in the midst of the night, taking on the guise of ravens, which were seen by several shepherds who were watching their sheep in the neighboring parts.
On account of this, they came together the following morning, terror-stricken, and went to the saint, declaring to him what they had seen and heard. The blessed one, on beholding their extreme agitation and fear, made a prayer in their behalf, and further counseled, encouraged and blessed them; whereupon, they departed in peace.
Since the end of Lent was drawing nigh, the saint returned to the lavra and sublimely concluded the celebration of the Holy Resurrection. Afterwards, he took certain of the brethren with him and set off for Kastellion, where they meticulously cleared the area to erect cells and a hostel. At the site, the monks discovered a building, that was sufficiently large, well-lit, and symmetrical.13It was high and decorated with handsome stones, and they were glad for this.
Savvas reasoned that it was God’s will for a monastery to be built in this place. Therefore, immediately he began to build. First, they converted the spacious structure into a holy church consecrated to the Lord. They proceeded with whatever was required in accordance with their funds. When they exhausted their resources, the work was halted for a short period. But the merciful God has commanded us not to be anxious for what we will eat and drink, because he provides and is solicitous for us, inasmuch as His guardianship towards us with far more exceeding love than our own father and mother can show. Thus, he kept watch over the concerns of His servant Savvas, since it was His will and economy that this place, become a habitation of virtuous men.
SAINT MARKIANOS
Markianos (commemorated the 24th of November), superior of the Bethlehem coenobium, was a man imbued with spirituality and sanctity. He possessed
material means and, therefore, transported all the necessities for the Kastellion monastery. This came about in the following marvelous manner. :
Markianos beheld in a dream a handsome and illustrious person, who addressed him thus: “Markianos, thou sittest comfortable and free from pain, because thou requirest nought for thy bodily needs, but the servant of God Savvas, who has great love towards the Master, is suffering with his brethren at Kastellion and barely has provisions, nor is there anyone to send them aid. Therefore, be not negligent in the least, but dispatch to them whatever they need!”
Hence, when the well-disposed Markianos saw this, he immediately sent to Kastellion all his beasts of burden heavily laden with wheat, wine, oil, and other various provisions. Now, when Savvas received all these goods and learned of the vision, he was further assured that this was God’s will for a monastery to be in that place. Therefore, he offered thanksgiving to the Lord and, with fervor and haste completed the Kastellion coenobium, wherein he installed the monastics who appeared suitable to him, that is, those that were wholly disengaged from worldly cares and affections.
Savvas installed as abbot and spiritual father (director), Paul, who was an ancient anchorite, along with his disciple Theodore. When Paul reposed, Theodore continued as spiritual leader, with his brother Sergios and the divine Paul of Melitene. Since they became notable elders of Kastellion at various times, each one was in succession a hierarch of Amanthounton and Aila.14
EXPERIENCED AND INEXPERIENCED MONKS
The saint had a number of concerns at Kastellion. One was to establish a colony of elderly monks possessing both experience and practice in the monastic conduct of life. On the other hand, he placed the laymen and youths in another monastery, which they built north of the Lavra. Here they remained until they learned the Psalter and every other practice and prerequisite needful for monastics. He assigned a chief amongst them, who was dispassionate and worthy to train and exercise them for the Schema, for Savvas said that a Monk should be serious, discerning, sober, prudent and modest, and simply be able to bridle every part of himself and to preserve his mind in safety. Whenever he saw one who was rightly knowledgeable in the monastic profession and was capable of combating converse thoughts, that individual gained admission into the Lavra and was numbered among the brethren.
By no means and under no circumstances were the beardless admitted into the lavra, simply because it could become the cause of scandal. Savvas confirmed this saying: “This rule is the tradition of the fathers, and whosoever violates this ordinance gravely sins against God. Moreover, I have a precept from the great Efthimios who would not receive me into the Monastery, for I lacked a beard. Hence, he sent me on to the blessed Theoktistos, for great is the injury suffered in the monk’s soul when he has association with beardless children!”
Consequently. All who came there, and were as yet still beardless, Savvas handed over to the holy Theodosios, who was in charge of the preparatory monastery approximately 35 stadia (4 miles) from the lavra. Whereupon, Theodosios would accept the youths and would diligently strive to satisfy in every way Savvas’ wishes, for the one had sincere love towards the other, so that Theodosios carried out whatever Savvas desired, inasmuch as they were of one mind and will, being divinely inspired. These two were the leaders of all the monastics, that is Savvas was in charge of the anchorites and hermits, and Theodosios was set over the coenobites. This guardianship was not self-sought by either, for Patriarch Salust had entrusted the responsibility to them, since they were both eminent in virtue and competent in governing the souls of men, as the following bears witness. :
When St. Markianos of Bethlehem reposed in November, 492 A.D., the monks of the wilderness went up to the patriarch, already a sick man, and asked for and obtained Savvas and Theodosios. Patriarch Salust appointed Savvas and Theodosios the Coenobiarch as Archimandrites of the cell-dwellers and coenobia, respectively. Each of them was given a Second - for Theodosios, the head of the Coenobium of Martyrios; for Savvas, the hegoumeos of the Lavra of St. Gerasimos. Savvas sometimes said to Theodosios, in a playful way, “thou art an abbot of children, but I am an abbot of abbots, for each of the monks under me is independent and thus the abbot of his own cell.”14
SAINT SAVVAS CONTINUES TO BUILD
Patriarch Salust, who died on the 23rd of July, was succeeded by Elias I (494-516), whose harmony with the two monastic leaders, Savvas and Theodosios, over
the next twenty years, helped to build up a sober “Chalcedonianism” against which a monophysite emperor had little power.16
In 494, Savvas earnestly desired to gather together serious monastics and house them in cells surrounding the Tower of David in Jerusalem (Hierosolyma). Therefore, he constructed a monastery near the patriarchate, which received the monastics and gave them food, clothing, and everything they needed. Wherefore, in a short while many congregated in the cells, and the cells that they formerly inhabited around the tower were purchased by the Blessed Savvas to provide an inn to accommodate travelers. He obtained a portion of them, as much as his means could afford, But, he wished to acquire more, which would be useful and advantageous to the lavra. However, he lacked the funds and was unable to find more money, except for half a florin.
In any event, Savvas placed all his trust in the Lord and went ahead and advanced this tiny amount as an earnest for the cells. He agreed with the owners that if on the following day he did not meet the remaining balance for the cost of these cells, he would also lose the deposit, for he considered only the inexhaustible blessings in the right hand of the almighty Master, who strengthened his confidence insofar as He effectively wrought assistance. Indeed, His hope in this did not fail.
At dawn, an unknown foreigner, never before seen by the saint, came to Savvas and donated 170 gold florins. The stranger did not tarry, nor did he speak a word, but simply departed. The blessed one knew exactly whence this help had come and gave thanks to the Lord. Wherefore, he paid the price for the cells and erected other large buildings, including two at Kastellion, one inside the Holy City by the Tower of David and also a hostelry at Jericho, for visitors who came on pilgrimage.
The saint had great zeal. Therefore, the Lord sent him two brothers according to the flesh of the Isaurian race, who were master builders and architects, named were Theodoulos and Gelasios. In addition, they were very obedient and skilled craftsmen and build whatever the lavra was lacking; this included an additional monastery, a water cistern, wells, ovens, rooms for kneading, infirmaries and a diversity of other structures. They erected a huge and magnificent church, because the existing one was not spacious enough to hold all the brethren. It was consecrated by Patriarch Elias on the 1st of July and dedicated to the name of
our Most Glorious Lady and Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos, when Savvas was sixty-three years old.17
MALCONTENTS IN THE MONASTERY
The malcontents and slandering brethren (whom we spoke earlier, see: “Tares among the Wheat”), observed the brotherhood multiplying and filling with fervor, and the lavra expanding and thriving for the good of all. But, being troublemakers and intractable, they were consumed with envy, which does not know its own advantage. These grumblers sought to conspire against the saint and, in each and everything, guilefully complicated matters and stirred up intrigues because they were determined to hurt Savvas in any way they could.
Nevertheless, the saint, being a genuine disciple of peace, gave place to wrath and departed the lavra, so that they would not have to look upon him, since it is
always preferable to battle with demons, rather than men. He decided upon this strategy for two reasons: Firstly, to vanquish evil by employing meekness
and clemency. Thereafter, he retired to a desolate place in the area by Scythopolis, near the Gadar River. In this place, he found shelter in a large cave, although it was the den of an enormous and fierce lion.
THE CAVE AND THE LION
The saint spent a considerable time in prayer, and then fell asleep in the cave. At the hour of the midnight service (mesonyktikon), the dreadful beast returned to find Savvas resting. He humbly took hold of Savvas’ garment by biting into the edge and tugged him, (performing all this in a very tame manner), so as to bring the saint outside of his den. Being thus roused, Savvas awoke to behold what one would presume was a terrifying sight. However, he did not act in a cowardly manner; on the contrary, he began to recite the office of matins.
When the lion observed Savvas worshipping and praying, it withdrew to the side and waited -- “O The Wonder!-- until the saint completed the service. When Savvas finished, he reclined to sleep once more, but in the spot where the lion had made his spread. When it saw that Savvas was again lying down, it laid hold of his clothing with its teeth and with great force dragged him out of the den.
if thou agreest to live together, keep silent. But if thou dost not like it, go and find another habitation and let me be, because I am fashioned by the Hand of God and was honored to be in His Image and Likeness.” Now Savvas said these words with extreme gentleness, and the beast obeyed - O The magnitude of thy Wonders, Almighty Lord! - by refraining from bothering the saint further and relinquishing its dwelling-place.
THE THIEVES
When the saint had dwelt there many days, his renown spread to the surrounding area. Wherefore, many gathered there, including an eminent young man named Vasilios, the son of wealthy parents. He resolved to remain in obedience to Savvas and to struggle with him. Certain thieves, however, imagined that Vasilios had a great deal of money with him and came one night to steal, but, they found nothing. The robbers were amazed at their utter poverty, for they had no possessions. Whereupon, admiring and esteeming the two ascetics, they departed.
A short while after the would-be thieves had left the cave, on the road they encountered frightening lions of great size. They were seized with extreme terror, and, seeing no other help, exclaimed: “We adjure thee by the prayers of the Monk Savvas not to harm us!” And the lions, on hearing the revered name, instantly fled, as if they had received a serious wound, the thieves were astonished at this strange phenomenon. So they returned to the cave and related to the saint this dreadful event and promised not to commit injustices ever again, but to earn their food with toil; and they kept their promise throughout the rest of their lives. The report of wild beasts showing respect filled the countryside, and he was esteemed by all. Wherefore, many came with devotion just to see him. However, once again, he fled from praise. So he left a certain virtuous monk named Tarasios as superior, and Savvas departed thence.
THE SAINT RETURNS TO THE LAVRA
The saint thought that, after such an extended period of absence, the envy and resentment of those monks at his lavra would have subsided. Therefore, he returned to the lavra, only to find that their passion had reached a greater pitch and was more acrimonious than before, for the faction that we spoke of, incited others to their evil ways of thinking, and they that had treachery on their lips now totaled sixty.
Emptily and vainly did they rail against the saint and create(d) every possible disturbance, to foment sedition in the lavra. When Savvas perceived their perdition, he was grieved and wounded within, but, strove, as far as possible to overcome envy with love and long-suffering, and wickedness with goodness and kindness. Yet, he was unable to correct and bring them to repentance. For just at the proverb says: “It is not possible for the crab to crawl straight or the Moor to become fair of skin.”
Wherefore, he retired once again from his flock and went into the area bordering on Nikopolis (Emmaus), where he found shelter under a Carob Tree, being overshadowed by its branches and nourished by carobs. But the all-good Good, for Whom, he underwent all these tribulations, provided for him in that place and spread his fame and the word of his sanctity to all. For the owners of the field, learning of the excellent virtues of the Man Savvas, went and build a cell for him and brought him everything he required.
THE MALCONTENTS PROTEST TO THE PATRIARCH
In the meanwhile, the insidious backbiters used the occasion of the teacher’s absence to further malign him. They circulated a rumor throughout all the monasteries that Savvas had been devoured by wild beasts. The rebels made their way into the Holy City and lodged the following protest with the Patriarch: “Holy Master, our teacher ventured into the wilderness, nigh unto the Dead Sea, and was devoured by a Lion. We now implore thee, if thou so desired, to give us another abbot.” But the Patriarch answered discreetly: “I do not wish to believe that God has abandoned my friend, and such a sanctified man, to be eaten by wild animals. Therefore, GO ye and search for him diligently and locate him, or I will forebear until the Lord divulges his whereabouts.” The fraudulent ones therefore returned to the Lavra unsuccessful.
SAINT SAVVAS IN JERUSALEM
Not long after, Savvas attended the Commemoration of the Dedication (Enk*c*aenia) of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulcher) ‘13th of
September’, with certain brothers in the Holy City, as was his custom every 13th of September. Indeed when the patriarch saw him so unexpectedly, he greatly
rejoiced and begged him not to leaved his flock untended, but to have concern for it and to govern at as well as possible. But the saint used the excuse that he was not worthy to shepherd the reason-endowed sheep. In reply, the Patriarch said unto him: “If thou disobeyest this command of mine, then I do not wish to see thy countenance again, for I cannot endure to see others gather in the fruit of thy labors.”
As a result, the blessed Savvas was compelled to go to the Lavra, so as not to be openly disobedient to the patriarch’s words, which enjoined him to leave. Forthwith, the patriarch addressed in writing all the monastics, as follows: “Brethren and children in Christ: Be informed that your father and teacher did not become the food of beasts, as ye have stated. Behold, he comes again to his flock, forasmuch as I besought him, because it is wrong for him to be absent from the Monastery that he founded so many labors. Therefore, receive him with all proper and due honor. If any amongst ye are un-persuaded, being insolent and proud, having no desire to be in subjection to your rightful shepherd, I order you to remove yourselves immediately, in order not to create scandals!”
SAINT SAVVAS RETURNS AGAIN TO THE LAVRA
Hence, Savvas took the epistle and went back to the Lavra, where it was read before everyone. The usurpers, upon hearing these words, immediately seized hammers and chisels and, with wrath and rage, demolished to the foundations a tower which they erected, storming it like savage demons and throwing both stones and wood into the wadi.
After they committed this notorious deed, they carried off all the rasa (cassocks and outer cassocks) of the Monks, and whatever else they could find, and fled to the Monastery at Souka (The Old Lavra of St. Chariton ‘Hariton’), But, they were refused entry there by the virtuous Abbot Aquilinos, who was well aware of their perversity. Hence, they left and went towards the wadi of Tekoa, where there existed ancient cells. They repaired them and built others form existing foundations and thus dwelt there. This was Romanos’ old Monastery by Tekoa. It was Named “New Lavra”.
SAINT SAVVAS VISITS NEW LAVRA
Now that the tares were removed, the brethren that remained behind with Savvas were as wheat dedicated to God, good and useful. When Savvas, who was meek and forbearing, learned the location of the dissenters, he loaded up all the pack animals of the Lavra and Kastellion with food and whatever essentials they might need, and he went himself in person to offer them this charity. When they espied him from afar off, they muttered amongst themselves, saying: “look, not even here will that imposter leave us in peace, but he comes again to offend us!”
As the saint drew nigh, he greeted them with extreme humility and gave them gifts. He observed their dire need of a Church and their being bereft of a superior to lead them, for they were disorderly and all was in utter confusion among them. Afterwards, Savvas reported all this to the Patriarch and begged him to assist
them, by giving them an abbot. The Patriarch donated seventy florins to the saint and the authority to govern them as he wished.
Therefore, the saint gave diligent attention to procure everything they needed; he did not wish to overlook a single detail. Savvas built them a richly adorned Church, a bakery and other buildings as they required. He stayed there almost four months, and the Church was consecrated in 507.
By the departure of the rebellious brethren and the creation of New Lavra, the devil desired to ensnare the disciples of Savvas, but he tricked himself. Thus did Savvas set up a new trophy of victory against the devil, for the blessed one effected, a reconciliation with this faction at New Lavra and governed this Monastery as well as he could. When he returned from New Lavra, he rested a short while at his Own Lavra to do a few things until the 20th of January, when according to
his annual rule, again he resorted to the desert.
So began New Lavra - a source of trouble for the next forty years. He appointed an abbot, the Monk John from Greece (Hellas), who was conspicuous for his virtues and clairvoyance. Truly he possessed the Gift of foreseeing the future and prophesied accurately whenever scandals and heresies would occur in this Lavra. Everything he disclosed; it came about as he said. :
TROUBLES AT NEW LAVRA
John’s successor was Paul, who was from Rome, distinguished for his great simplicity and poverty, and glowing with divine virtues. Having remained abbot against his will for six months, he departed and went to Arabia. Afterwards, he went to Carparvaricha, where he established a coenobium.
The fathers of New Lavra reported his departure to the divine elder Savvas. He assigned them his disciple, Agapetos, as abbot. When Agapetos assumed the abbacy, he found four monks in the synodia (accepted unsuspectingly by the very same simple Paul without thoroughly knowing them) who were secret admirers of the heterodox and heresiarch Origen. The chief amongst them was a Palestinian named Nonnos, who feigned Christianity. In reality, he believed in the teachings of the godless Greeks, Hebrews, and Manicheans, and whatever myths came from Origen, Evagrius, and Didymus.
The blessed Agapetos was fearful lest his corrupt heresy spread to the others. Therefore, with the concurring opinion and urging of Archbishop Elias, he expelled them from New Lavra. They went to the flatlands, where they sowed the tares of Heresy. With the passage of a few years and the exile of the archbishop, a few of Nonnos’ faction came into the Holy City and besought the new patriarch to permit them to abide at New Lavra. However, he, being possessed of divine wisdom, summoned Saint Savvas and the blessed Agapetos and asked them if it were possible to receive them. Agapetos answered: “Their intention is to corrupt and to harass the synodia and to stir up discussions of the Heterodox Origen. I would prefer to leave this land, rather than put them inside the synodia which trusts in and is committed to God.” The archbishop answered: “Thy thinking is straight and God-pleasing.” When the heretics realized that they could not attain the favor of the archbishop, they returned to the flatlands.
Agapetos governed New Lavra very well for five years. When he reposed, the New Lavrites chose Mamas. When certain of Nonnos’ group learned of this, they were secretly admitted into the lavra by Mamas, having wicked dogma in their souls. However, they revealed their beliefs to none of the monks, out of fear of the saintly Savvas, because, whenever Savvas was present and made his tour, one confession of faith existed everywhere amongst all the monastics of the desert.18
COENOBIUM OF THE CAVE
For the period of the Great Fast, he took with him the monk Paul, who was aged and distinguished for his many spiritual accomplishments. They came to a wadi west of Kastellion, about fifteen stadia from Great Lavra. They found, on the northern precipice, a huge cave unaffected by atmospheric changes. They remained there together during the entire Lenten period until Palm Sunday. After Pascha, he took Theodoulos, Gelasios and the aforementioned Paul back to this spot, and simply, by the cooperation of God, he converted the cave into a Church. Before the cave’s entrance, the famed “Coenobium of the Cave” was erected. Paul was installed as abbot. Three other brethren, George, Kyriakos and Efsthatios, were also sent to abide with him. And, by the help of God, the place increased and multiplied exceedingly. When the blessed Paul reposed, Kyriakos, Efsthatios and George became abbots in succession.19
However, we must leave these points, concerning New Lavra and the Coenobium of the Cave, for brevity’s sake, for it is not opportune at this particular time to continue. Our main theme is to write of Saint Savvas’ accomplishments.
ARMENIANS AT THE LAVRA
At that time, Jeremias, a God-bearing man and adorned with divine gifts, was received into the lavra. He came from Armenia. His company consisted of two disciples, Peter and Paul, who adhered to their elder’s manner of life and were co-strugglers in spiritual contendings. Our Father Savvas was very glad, for they were extremely devout. He gave them a cave and a small cell, north of his own, which was formerly his own when he dwelt as a solitary in the wadi. He allowed them to perform their services, in the Armenian tongue, in the small Church every Saturday and Sunday. Thus, little by little the Armenian population increased at the Lavra.20
THE ARMENIANS AND THE TRISAGION
Then the saint transferred the Armenians from the small church to The God-Built Church in order to do their canon of chant in the Armenian tongue. Afterwards, he arranged for them to enter into the Large Church for the “Divine Liturgy” and the Holy Communion of the Immaculate Mysteries.
However, a few of them undertook to recite the Trisagion Hymn with the Antiochene addition: “Who wast crucified for us,” which Peter the Fuller had devised. The divine leader became indignant, as was only natural. For this, he ordered them to chant this particular Hymn with them in Greek, without the insertion, in accordance with the tradition of the ancient “Orthodox” Catholic Church, and not according to the innovation of Peter.21
He further decreed that the “Divine Liturgy” be served every Saturday in the God-Built Church and every Sunday in the Church of the Theotokos, without interruption. From night until morning, vigil took place in the two churches every weekend and on the Feasts of the Lord.
++Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, crucified for us, have mercy on us++
NESTORIANS AT THE TOWER OF EVDOKIA
The tower erected by the blessed Evdokia atop the highest mountain in the Eastern Desert was governed by certain monks who espoused the heresies of Dioskoros and Eftyches. Afterwards, two other monks inhabited the Tower, adherents of the impious Nestorius. The blessed one was grieved and worried about them. At that time, he beheld the following vision:
