Monthly Archives: June 2020
“Happy Place”
I was out exploring yesterday and one place I stopped has a special meaning to our family, plus it has some history attached to it that ties it directly to Texas.
The church pictured here is named Basilica of San Saba – Roma.
Sound like a familiar name for a county, city, and river in central Texas?
Thought so.
Here comes the history lesson!
First:
Who was San Saba?
Well actually his name was, paraphrasing Wikipedia: Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, a Cappadocian-Syrian monk, priest, and saint, he lived mainly in Palaestina Prima, which geographically today would encompass parts of Israel and Jordan. He was the founder of several convents. His name is derived from Aramaic: סַבָּא Sabbāʾ “old man”. He was born in 439 AD, in Kayseri, Turkey. He died in Jerusalem on December 5, 532 AD.
Second:
How did we end up with locations in Texas named for him?
Again, using Wikipedia: The river was named by the governor of Spanish Texas, Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos, in 1732. He called it Río de San Sabá de las Nueces (“River of Saint Sabbas of the Walnuts”) because he and his troops had arrived on December 5, the feast day of St. Sabbas (439–532), a major figure of early Christian monastic life.
So, the River got his name first, followed by the city and county.
Thirdly: Connections, on both sides:
1. The San Saba, Texas area today is famous for its pecans. We are blessed with wonderful family there who for generations have been ” knee-deep” in growing and promoting worldwide this delicious nut. https://millicanpecan.com/
2. Did you notice the name I captioned the picture with?
“Happy Place”
In 2009 our family and friends enjoyed Matteo and Heather’s wedding in this beautiful sanctuary. Yesterday was the first time I had the opportunity to return since the wedding.
History class dismissed.
Thanks for dropping by!
David
PerryScope 