Rabbula of Samosata

Holy Venerable Rabbula of Samosata was an ascetic in Syria, Phoenicia and Constantinople and founded several monasteries. He died around the year 530.

He was born in the Syrian city of Samosata and received a good education. As a young man he put on the monastic habit and struggled in deserts and mountains, following the holy Prophet Elijah and John the Baptist. Then he went over to Phoenicia, where he struggled much and became known for spiritual gifts. The emperor Zeno gave him a sum of money for building a monastery, raised with the help of Bishop John of Berytus. Around the new monastery lived many pagans, whom the residents of the monastery gradually brought to Christianity. Under Zeno's successor, Anastasius (491-518), the venerable one came to Constantinople and, receiving money again from the emperor, built several monasteries in different places, one of which bore his name. He spent his whole life in labours, was always gentle, merciful and kindly toward people, and a great man of prayer. He lived eighty years and before his death heard a voice: come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden. After a short illness Venerable Rabbula departed to the Lord around the year 530.

He is commemorated on 4 March (a movable date), in the new style.