CONCERNING ST. RABULAS, ABBOT IN THE EAST.
CIRCA A.D. 530.
CommentaryRabulas, Abbot in the East (St.)
By G. H.
[1] The name Rabulas, scarcely known to the Latins, is quite common among the Greeks. There was formerly a Rabulas who was first a prince, then Bishop of Edessa — the very one who, because he had resisted the Nestorians, was greatly praised by St. Cyril of Alexandria, but disparaged by his successor Ibas. We noted on January 15, in the Life of St. Alexander, the founder of the Acoemetian Order, section 3, no. 12, that he died around the year 437, having been converted to the Christian faith by the same Alexander. Not far from Edessa, but on the near side of the Euphrates River, at Samosata, was born around the year 450 our St. Rabulas, Abbot and founder of very many monasteries, whom the Greeks celebrate on February 19 in the great Menaea and in Cythereius, in the Lives of the Saints. And first, a pun being made on his name, this distich is prefixed to the remaining acts:
"Rabulas, having rendered the designs of the demons ineffective, Departed hence by the counsel of God."
The Menaea and Cythereius then narrate his Acts.
[2] "The commemoration of our holy Father Rabulas. Our holy Father Rabulas was born at Samosata; he was trained by a certain Barypsabas, a most distinguished man — which is what his name means in the language of the Syrians. Embracing every virtue from a tender age, he led a solitary life and, after the example of the great Elijah and John the Baptist, lived alone in mountains and caves. After some years had elapsed, having taken a companion, he betook himself to Phoenicia, where he became remarkably famous for his virtues and even became known to men of the highest rank, though he did not wish it. For this reason, with both the Emperor Zeno and John, the Governor of Beirut, furnishing help and assistance, he built an immense monastery in the middle of a mountain. Then, like Paul and Barnabas, or rather like Peter and John, Rabulas went forth with his followers into the midst of pagans who worshiped idols, disputed with them, and — now refuting their errors, now exhorting them — accomplished so much that, with a few exceptions, he led all to the knowledge of God. And this was the first work of the blessed man that deserves to be proclaimed."
[3] "When Zeno had died, Anastasius succeeded to the scepter of the empire. With his help, therefore, he undertook a second monastery at Byzantium, which received the surname of Rabula from him. Having accomplished these things, he established many other monasteries in various places."
[4] "This blessed man was in all things sober, modest, gentle, submissive, ready to teach, not irascible, but mild and merciful, most loving toward the brethren, and compassionate toward all. When the wicked devil assailed him, harassing him with many injuries, then, fortified with the sacred Scriptures drawn from the Old and New Testaments, he repressed him with equal force and put him to flight by his very works. Such was the Blessed Rabulas. He lived to the times of the Emperor Justinian, who succeeded Justin and is surnamed 'the Great' and built the church of Hagia Sophia. When he had completed eighty years of age or somewhat more, he heard a voice from heaven saying to him: 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.' Having been ill for a short time after hearing this voice, he departed to the Lord."
[5] Thus far the Greeks in the Menaea and in Cythereius. The emperors who are said to have flourished in his time are Zeno, elevated to the empire in the year 474; when he died, Anastasius took up the empire in the year 491; Justin succeeded him in the year 518, and Justinian succeeded Justin in the year 527. Hence we have placed the death of St. Rabulas at around the year 530.