Barbarus the Robber

Holy Venerable Barbarus the Robber was a robber who, after many crimes, repented and condemned himself: first for three years to go on all fours and eat with the dogs, then for twelve years to live in the forest without clothes, without a roof and without any food but grass and leaves. According to Christian tradition, an angel brought him word that his sins were forgiven.

Some merchants passing through the forest, seeing him from afar, thought he was a beast and not a man, and killed him with arrows. Dying, he asked them to tell a nearby priest about him. The priest came and buried him with honour. Christians believe that healing myrrh flowed from his body, which cured various illnesses and sufferings of people. The Serbian Church commemorates him on 6 May by the old calendar (19 May by the new).