Saint Samuel celebrated on August 20

August 20 marks the feast day of Saint Samuel, a significant biblical figure recognized as both a prophet and a judge. According to religious tradition, Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Anna, born after his mother’s prayers at the sanctuary of Shiloh.

As a central figure in the Old Testament, Samuel played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. He was responsible for selecting Saul as the first king of the Hebrew people and later choosing David as his successor. His life and legacy are deeply rooted in the history of the tribe of Ephraim.

Tradition holds that Samuel’s remains were reinterred by Crusaders on a hill overlooking Jerusalem, a site that continues to be visited by both Jewish and Muslim faithful, despite the lack of archaeological confirmation of his exact burial place.