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Venerable Sabbatius, Wonderworker of Solovki · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Sunday, september twenty seventh, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember venerable Sabatius, known as the Wonderworker of Solovki.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was a monk who lived a life of deep humility and asceticism in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Sabatius came to the Saint Cyril of White Lake Monastery in thirteen ninety six, where he was tonsured a monk.
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  SPEAKER_00: He lived there for many years, faithfully carrying out all the obediences given to him.
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  SPEAKER_00: His humility and gentle love for his fellow monks, along with his strict way of life, made him stand out among the brethren.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, the attention and respect he received from both monks and laypeople became a burden to him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Hearing about the rocky island of Valaam on Lake Ladoga, he decided to move there to live in greater solitude.
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  SPEAKER_00: The monks of St.
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  SPEAKER_00: Cyril of White Lake were saddened to lose their elder, but even at Valam, the worldly fame that followed him disturbed his humble heart.
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  SPEAKER_00: Then he learned about the uninhabited island of Solovki in the north and asked his abbot for permission to settle there in solitude.
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  SPEAKER_00: The abbot and brethren did not want to be separated from him.
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  SPEAKER_00: One night, following what he understood as God's command, Saint Sabatius left Valam and set out for the White Sea.
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  SPEAKER_00: Local people told him the island was two days away by boat, full of lakes and uninhabited.
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  SPEAKER_00: They wondered how he would live there and what he would eat.
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  SPEAKER_00: The monk answered My master gives fresh strength to the frail and nourishes the hungry to satiety.
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  SPEAKER_00: For a time Saint Sabatia stayed near the mouth of the Vig River, where he met Saint Germanus, another ascetic hermit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Together they decided to settle on Solofki Island.
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  SPEAKER_00: After three days at sea in a small boat, they reached the island.
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  SPEAKER_00: They settled near Sakirna Hill, raised a cross, and built their cells.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite the harsh northern conditions, the elders sanctified the island through their spiritual struggles.
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  SPEAKER_00: The devil also tempted them there.
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  SPEAKER_00: At one point a fisherman and his wife, moved by envy, came to live near the monks, but the Lord did not allow them to stay.
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  SPEAKER_00: Two youths in bright clothing appeared to the fisherman's wife and struck her with rods.
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  SPEAKER_00: Frightened, the fisherman and his wife quickly left the island.
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  SPEAKER_00: Once, when Saint Germanus went to get supplies, Saint Sabatius, sensing his death was near, prayed to receive holy communion.
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  SPEAKER_00: He sailed two days to the mainland and met Igumen Nathaniel, who was visiting a sick Christian.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Igumen joyfully fulfilled Sabatius' wish and heard about his life on the island.
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  SPEAKER_00: They agreed to meet at the church by the Vig River.
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  SPEAKER_00: After receiving communion, Saint Sabatius gave thanks to God and prepared for death in a nearby cell.
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  SPEAKER_00: A Novgorod merchant named John came to the church, venerated the icons, and sought the elder's blessing.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Sabbatius declined the merchant's offer of wealth but allowed him to stay overnight and promised him a safe journey.
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  SPEAKER_00: That night an earthquake and storm arose.
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  SPEAKER_00: The merchant stayed, frightened.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the morning when he entered the cell, he found that Saint Sebatius had passed away.
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  SPEAKER_00: Igamon Nathaniel arrived soon after, and together they buried the saint at the chapel and wrote his life.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Sebatius reposed on september twenty seventh, fourteen thirty five.
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  SPEAKER_00: Thirty years later his relics were moved to the Transfiguration Church by Saint Zosemus and the brethren of Solovki.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1566, the relics of Saints Sebastius and Zosimus were transferred to a church named in their honor.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Sabbatius' life reminds us of the power of humility, obedience, and trust in God's providence, even in the most remote and difficult places.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to follow the example of Saint Sabbateus, living humbly and faithfully in your service.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen us to trust in your care, even in times of trial.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, guide us to live with humility and love like Saint Sabbateus.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: Help us to trust in your strength and care every day.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.