Saint Agabbas of Syria

Saint Agabbas of Syria was an ascetic of Arab descent who pursued the monastic life in Syria. The synaxarion describes him as an Ishmaelite by birth who, having entered the ascetic life, first lived under obedience to a mentor and afterward withdrew as a hermit. He is commemorated on November 22.

According to the tradition recorded in his life, Agabbas was formed under the Monk Eusebius, from whom he learned inner prayer and silence. He subsequently spent thirty-eight years as a hermit. His austerities were severe: he went about barefoot, wore chains upon his loins, and is said never to have sat or lain down, passing both day and night standing or kneeling in continual prayer. The sources relate that he finished his ascetic life in peace.

The surviving account preserves no firm dates for his birth or repose and assigns him to no particular century, situating him only within the broad tradition of the Syrian desert ascetics. He is venerated in the Orthodox Church, where a troparion and kontakion are appointed for his commemoration.