Sabbas Stratelates

Holy Martyr Sabbas Stratelates (Sabbas the General) was a Roman general of Gothic origin, under the emperor Aurelian (270 to 275), who was martyred in the year 272 by drowning in the river Tiber at Rome. He is often paired with Saint Sabbas the Goth, and his martyrdom inspired 70 Roman soldiers to follow in his steps. He is commemorated on 24 April in the Churches on the new calendar and on 7 May in the Russian, Ukrainian and Serbian Churches that use the old calendar. The birth date 300 on the record does not fit the rest.

He belonged to a Gothic tribe and, by his bravery, rose to the rank of military commander (stratelates) under Aurelian. From his youth he was a devout Christian, dedicated to the commandments of Christ. He showed compassion to those in need and visited Christians in prison, helping them with his own means. He also had the gift of working wonders, healing the sick and casting out demons in the name of Christ; the Serbian source says that God gave him authority over demons for his purity and fasting.

Learning that Sabbas was a Christian, the emperor demanded that he renounce the faith. The martyr threw down his soldier's belt and declared that he would not forsake his faith. They beat him, burned him with torches and threw him into a cauldron of tar, but he remained unharmed. Looking on at his torments, seventy soldiers came to believe in Christ and were put to the sword; according to the Serbian source, the emperor at once ordered them beheaded. Sabbas was thrown in prison. At midnight, while he was praying, Christ appeared to the martyr and shone upon him with the light of His glory, bidding him not to fear but to stand firm. Strengthened, the martyr underwent a new torture in the morning and was drowned in a river in 272.