Saint Rabulas of Samosata

Saint Rabulas was born in the Syrian city of Samosata and he received an excellent education. While still young, he became a monk and struggled in the deserts and on the mountains, following the example of the holy Prophet Elias (July 20) and Saint John the Baptist of the Lord (January 7, February 24, May 25, June 24, August 29, September 23, October 12).

Somewhat later, Saint Rabulas went to Phoenicia, where for a long while he lived in asceticism and was glorified by spiritual gifts. The emperor Zeno gave Saint Rabulas monetary help to build a monastery, built with the assistance of Bishop John of Beruit.

Around the new monastery lived many pagans, who were gradually converted to Christianity through the efforts of the monks. Under Xeno’s successor Anastasius (491-518), Saint Rabulas came to Constantinople, and having received financial help from the emperor, he built several more monasteries in various places. One of them was named after the holy ascetic.

Saint Rabulas spent all his life at work, and he was gentle and kind and well-disposed towards people. He was also a man of great prayer. He lived to be eighty, and before his death he heard a voice: “Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden” (Mt. 11:28).

Saint Rabulas fell asleep in the Lord around the year 530 after a short illness.