The son of Stefan Nemanja, the great Serbian national leader, he was born in 1169. As a young man he yearned for the spiritual life, which led him to flee to the Holy Mountain, where he became a monk and with rare zeal followed all the ascetic practices.  Nemanja followed his son's example and himself went to the Holy Mountain, where he lived and ended his days as the monk Simeon.

Sava obtained the independence of the Serbian Church from the Emperor and the Patriarch, and became its first archbishop.  He, together with his father, built the monastery of Hilandar and after that many other monasteries, churches and schools throughout the land of Serbia.  He traveled to the Holy Land on two occasions, on pilgrimage to the holy places there.  He made peace among his brothers, who were in conflict over their rights, and also between the Serbs and their neighbors.

In creating the Serbian Church, he created the Serbian state and Serbian culture along with it.  He brought peace to all the Balkan peoples, working for the good of all, for which he was venerated and loved by all on the Balkan peninsula.  He gave a Christian soul to the people of Serbia, which survived the fall of the Serbian state.

He died in Trnovo in the reign of King Asen, being taken ill after the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Theophany in 1236.  King Vladislav took his body to Mileseva, whence Sinan Pasha removed it, burning it at Vracar in Belgrade on April 27th, 1594.

Prologue from Ohrid, translated by Mother Maria

St. Sava Day is all about our children and keeping our Serbian heritage and culture alive for generations to come.  We were all very proud and enjoyed listening to the children do their recitations (deklomacia) today for our St. Sava Day celebration which was held Sunday Jan 24, 2010.  Special thanks to Peter Puhar, Olivera and Father John for organizing such a wonderful program for the parishioners to enjoy.  The Kolo sisters once again served a wonderful lunch.

Photos by Jelena and Peter Mulin