After the Repose of his Elder, Saint Sabas became a recluse and lived in a cave. He would only return to the Monastery on Saturdays where he would participate in the Divine Liturgy and have lunch with the brethren. Saint Sabas received a Blessing to remain in his cave for five years. A large lion was known to visit this cave. One night the lion came to the cave and saw the Saint there, so he began to pull him out of the cave by his Monastic habit. However, Saint Sabas began his night Psalmody and the lion waitied outside the cave. When Saint Sabas finished, the lion returned to the cave attempting to pull Saint Sabas out again. Saint Sabas said to the lion “The cave is spacious enough to provide plentiful lodging for both of us, for we both have the one Creator. As for you, if you want, stay here; if not, withdraw. I myself was fashioned by the hand of God and privileged to receive His Image.” The lion then humbly withdrew to the desert, leaving Saint Sabas.
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After several years many disciples began to gather around Saint Sabas, wishing to live with him the Monastic life of fasting, humility, poverty, obedience and Prayer. One day a Holy Angel of God appeared in front of Saint Sabas as a pillar of fire, and it was here that he found a large cave and founded a Church. Over the years Saint Saba founded seven Monasteries.
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“I shall not cancel the Divine Liturgy because of the lack of flour; faithful is He Who Commanded us not to be concerned about bodily things, and Mighty is He to feed us in time of hunger.”
