Commemoration
Saint Barbarus the Robber
May 6 Old CalendarMay 19 New Calendar
Life
After many crimes he repented and condemned himself, first, to walk on all fours and eat with the dogs for three years, and second, to live in the forest for twelve years without clothing, without shelter, and without any food except grass and leaves. He received word from an angel that his sins were forgiven. Merchants were traveling through the forest, and seeing Barbarus from a distance, they thought him a beast and not a man; they aimed their arrows and shot him. As he lay dying, he begged them to send word to the nearest priest about him. The priest came and buried him with honor. And from his body there flowed a healing myrrh that cured people of various diseases and afflictions.
After many crimes he repented and condemned himself, first, to walk on all fours and eat with the dogs for three years.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, May 6. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on May 6
The full reading for May 6 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open May 6 in the reader