Sabas, Leader of Palestinian Monasticism

Dumbarton Oaks
Joseph Patrich
ISBN: 0884022218
price: $50.00  

The impac t of the life of Sabas and his exceptional system of monastic life has endured from the fifth century to the present. In this volume, Joseph Patrich studies the specific Sabaitic contribution to Palestinian monasticism. The monastery of Mar Saba, suspended on cliff tops in a breathtaking location, is a mute monument attesting to Sabas' lasting influence.
The research for this present study began as an archaeological survey conducted by the author during 1981-82 in an area surrounding this monastery. The literary sources, mainly in Greek, are numerous, covering the entire period from the fourth to the seventh century. Patrich's firsthand knowledge of the various sites where Sabas and his disciples were active afforded him a better understanding of the many details of monastic life mentioned in the sources.
Of the book's five parts, Part I contains the historical framework and background needed for a proper understanding of the various subjects discussed in greater detail throughout the book. Part II deals with Sabas as a founder of monasteries. Special attention is given to a study of the weekly monastic liturgy, and an effort is made to reconstruct the original Rule of Sabas. Part III discusses in detail Sabas as an abbot and monastic legislator. Part IV examines Sabas as a religious and ecclesiastical leader. Part V is an epilogue containing a brief history of the Laura from Sabas' death to the end of the Byzantine period and a description of the theological struggles in which his followers had a decisive role.