St. Sava (1175-1235) Image Courtesy: Catholic News Agency
(EWTN) Born in Serbia Rastko, the third son of Stephen (Nemanja 1167-1196) ruler of Serbia — In 1191 he went to Mt. Athos where he took the name “Sava” and became a Monk. Sava was joined there 5 yrs later by his father, who had abdicated in favor of his eldest son.
With his father, Sava established on Mt. Athos (in Northern Greece) the Monastery of Khilander, which emerged as one of the leading monastic centers for the Serbians.
Sava returned to Serbia in 1208 and became Archimandrite (head of a large Monastery) of Studenica, utilizing the post to wield considerable political and religious influence throughout the kingdom. — Sava opposed his brother’s religious policy of treating with the Holy See and in 1219 was consecrated the metropolitan of an independent Serbian Church by the Patriarch of Nicaea with the approval of the Byzantine Emperor, who was much in favor of keeping Serbia, within the sphere of Greek orthodox influence.
Sava would go on to work to establish dioceses throughout Serbia, promoted native Clergy, built Churches and translated numerous texts into Serbian.
In 1229 Sava made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, returning there again in 1233 to win recognition of the Bulgarian patriarch from the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch.
Sava passed away on this date in 1235 in Bulgaria, on his journey home.
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