Venerable Rabbula (+c. 530)

The Venerable Rabbula was born in the Syrian city of Samosata and received a good education. He was tonsured a monk while still young, and like the holy Prophet Elijah (commemorated 20 July) and John the Baptist (commemorated 7 January) he laboured in mountains and deserts. Afterwards the saint moved to Phoenicia, where he became famous for his grace-filled labours. The Emperor Zeno granted the Venerable Rabbula money to found a monastery.

The new monastery was surrounded by a pagan population, but here, through the efforts of the ascetic fathers, they were gradually converted to the law of Christ. In the reign of Zeno’s successor, Anastasius (491–518), the Venerable Rabbula moved to Constantinople. He again received financial help from the emperor and built several more monasteries in various places. The venerable father spent his whole life in tireless labour. He was distinguished by humility, compassion and kindness, and was also a great man of prayer. The saint reached the age of eighty. After a short illness, around 530, the Venerable Rabbula committed his soul to the Lord.