Memorial Day of the Martyr Savva Stratelates

The Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyr Sava Stratelates on May 7 Saint Sava lived in the 3rd century and descended from the Gothic tribe Despite his barbarian roots, he became a military leader in the army of the Great Roman Empire For his courage and exploits in battle, Savva received the rank of stratilate and led the infantry Fierce battles did not make the saint’s soul callous; he joyfully accepted the Good News of the Resurrection of the Lord and began to believe in Christ with all his heart Being a stratilate, he could visit the dungeons where his brothers and sisters in faith suffered and alleviate their suffering For his sincere faith and charitable life, the Lord endowed Savva with the power to expel an unclean spirit and heal the possessed The fame of the saint’s abilities reached the emperor Aurelian, who was distinguished by his intolerance towards Christians The ruler ordered the commander of his army to be brought to him and interrogated him Stratilates did not hide his faith in Jesus Christ, and said that no threats or torments would force him to betray his Christian beliefs During his speech, the saint threw off his stratelate belt, showing that even his military merits were insignificant compared to the true power that he acquired by believing in Jesus Aurelian ordered Savva to be tested and the saint was subjected to severe torture After beatings and torture by fire, it was decided to immerse the body of the brave military leader in a vat of boiling resin But at that moment the Lord showed His mercy and everyone saw that the martyr remained unharmed Having seen such a miracle, seventy soldiers believed in the Savior and began to praise Jesus The enraged emperor ordered the execution of everyone who admitted to being a Christian After the execution of the soldiers, Savva was taken into custody, where the Lord himself appeared to his follower with words of reassurance The saint came to the next interrogation even more inspired by his faith, and the tormentors saw that neither threats, nor suffering, nor false promises would force Savva to turn away from Christianity and recognize pagan idols as true gods Then, by order of the emperor, the stratilate was thrown into the river, where he accepted his martyrdom in the name of the Lord Among the people, May 7 was a remarkable day in its own way Peasants performed a plowing ritual intended to ensure fertility Harnessed oxen were driven around the sown fields, making a furrow, and then they walked to the songs and music of buffoons There were also special weather signs on the day of the martyr Sava: - the appearance of winged ants suggested that it was time to sow oats; - a yellow dawn promised dry, warm weather for the near future; - light and dark corollas around the stars indicated imminent rains