Sabbas the Goth

Sabas the Goth, also called simply Sabas or Sabbas, a free-born Gote was from the Gothic part of the tribe Tervingi. He is not to be confused with the Holy Sabas, a oriental monk (around 439-532 ), and that had nothing to do with the missionary work of the Gotenstämme over a hundred years later lived. Sabas lived in a village community in a Gothic settlement of the Danubian Goths, probably Föderatenland in Moesia, ie south of the Danube. He was born around 334 and was, unlike most converted by Bishop Ulfilas and the Goths had become Christian, not Arians, but Catholic.

So Sabas lived, free but poor in a gothic village community, which seems to have been partly still heathen, partly already Christian population and the rural activity pursued. He had participated in the decisions of the village community, but had only local powers, while over local decisions were decided by the great men of the tribe, the Reik, and the tribal council, where the " kunja ", the followings of free village communities, were subordinated. The village community itself had a village assembly, but which was in turn dominated by a small group of residents. Its functions also included to make the dedication of the ( pagan ) sacrifice flesh and to prepare the sacrificial meal, so to make the pagan cults. Since Sabas refused to participate in the sacrificial meal, he was banished from the village community, the for, sorcery ' penalty provided, because as witchcraft were foreign and therefore forbidden religious practices.

He returned after some time back to his village. The village elders wanted him and other Christians of the Villages, as these were usually related with them, protect them from the persecution of the pagan zeal Reik. Sabas but thwarted these efforts, in which he everywhere openly proclaimed his Christian convictions. As the village elders the Reik Atharid swore that he was the only Christian in the place that Reik was ' satisfied with a renewed banishment Sabas.

Finally, Sabas was the third wave of persecution Atharids victim. In his explicit command the village community Sabas killed most reluctantly. He suffered, 38 years old, on 12 April 372 martyred when he was drowned in the river Musäus. The Roman Dux Junius Soranus, a Catholic and opponent Wulfila left, the remains Sabas mountains ' and write down the story of suffering.