Monastic Martyrs of Saint Sabbas Lavra

Holy Monastic Martyrs of the Lavra of Saint Sabbas, slain by Arab raiders.

The monks of the Lavra of Saint Sabbas in the Judean desert were attacked by Arab raiders seeking plunder. Finding nothing, the attackers tortured and killed many of the brethren, some by smoke in a cave.

The synaxarion honors these fathers on May 16; similar attacks are recorded in both the seventh and the eighth centuries.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Monastic Martyrs of Saint Sabbas Lavra is commemorated on May 16. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 29 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on May 16

• 

  Theodore the Sanctified

  Venerable, Θεόδωρος

  Disciple of Pachomios.

  Name days: Theodoros, Theodoris, Theodore

• Alexander of Jerusalem

  Hierarch, Αλέξανδρος Ιεροσολύμων

  Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem, disciple of Clement of Alexandria and friend of Origen.

• Nicholas Mystikos

  Hierarch, Νικόλαος ο Μυστικός

  Saint Nicholas the Mystikos, Patriarch of Constantinople, who upheld the canons against the emperor.

• Makarios Notaras of Corinth

  Hierarch, Μακάριος Νοταράς

  Saint Makarios Notaras, Archbishop of Corinth, father of the Kollyvades and compiler of the Philokalia.

  Name days: Makarios, Macarius

• Vukasin of Klepci

  Martyr, Βουκασίνος

  New Martyr Vukasin of Klepci, killed at Jasenovac for refusing to curse Christ.

  Name days: Vukasin

• Theodore of Vrsac

  Hierarch, Θεόδωρος Βρσακ

  Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Vrsac, flayed alive by the Turks.