Martyr Sabbas Stratelates

Saint Sabbas was of Gothic origin and attained the rank of stratelates (military commander) in the Roman army under Emperor Aurelian (270–275). A committed Christian from his youth, he was known for his charity and for visiting imprisoned Christians, and tradition credits him with working healings.

When Aurelian learned of his faith and demanded he recant, Sabbas removed his military belt as a sign of refusal. He was beaten, burned with candles, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling pitch — but emerged unharmed, and this miracle converted 70 fellow soldiers, who were immediately beheaded. In prison, tradition holds Christ appeared to him at midnight during prayer, strengthening him before his death.

In the end the saint was drowned in a river in 272.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the four dates previously listed in the stub turned out to be contamination — December 5/18 belongs to Venerable Sabbas the Sanctified (a different saint, the monastic founder of Mar Saba monastery), and January 14/27 belongs to St. Sabbas I, Archbishop of Serbia (also a different saint, a hierarch); neither date has anything to do with Sabbas Stratelates and has been replaced with the correct one.

His feast is kept on April 24/May 7 (Greek tradition also lists October 29).