The following text courtesy of Ksenija Basic
in celebration of St. Sava Day, "Savindan"
January 27, 2017
Honoring our ‘father’ among saints, the glorious St. Sava!
Wishing all churches, monasteries, schools, nameday celebrants and all St. Sava’s children – from 1 day through 100+ years - a blessed and joyful feast day!
A profound quote from St. Sava to Irenaeus in the 13th century remains relevant today:
“At first we were confused; the East thought we were the West, and the West considered us to be the East. Some of us misunderstood our place in the clash of currents, many cried out they we belong to neither side, and others that we belong exclusively to one side or the other. But I tell you Irenaeus, we are fated to be the East in the West and the West in the East; to acknowledge only Heavenly Jerusalem beyond us and here on Earth, no one.”
St. Sava, “The Enlightener” was born a prince (Rastko Nemanjic, 1174), but chose a monastic life. As a young man he traveled to Mt. Athos where he established the Hilandar Monastery with his father, St. Simeon, the Myrrh-Streaming. In 1219, he was recognized as the first Serbian Orthodox Archbishop and authored Serbia’s first constitution, ‘Zakonopravilo’, thus securing full independence – both religious and political. The Faith is often endearingly referred to as “Svetosavlje”.
He is considered the founder of Serbian medieval literature and a diplomat. St. Sava was integral in the healing of Serbia’s schism centered between his brothers, Vukan and Stefan as well as the multinational conflicts imposed by the Great Crusades of 1204/05; he is also credited with the credo “Only Unity Saves the Serbs”.
St. Sava passed into eternal life in Tarnovo, Bulgaria on January 27, 1236 and was interred at Holy Forty Martyrs Church until 1237 when his relics were transferred to Milesava Monastery. 360 years later, the Ottoman Turks removed his relics and burned them on the Vracar Plateau in Belgrade. It is believed his right hand was saved and is currently held at Milesava Monastery. Over the centuries, many churches throughout the world have been dedicated to our beloved saint. Today, the Temple of St. Sava stands on Vracar as an eternal and magnificent tribute to the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
In addition to the patron saint of Serbia, her people and churches, St. Sava is considered the patron saint of children, education and schools.
SRECAN SAVINDAN!!
Ksenija Basic
January 26, 2017
Facebook
*****
If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at heroesofserbia@yahoo.com
*****
Wishing all churches, monasteries, schools, nameday celebrants and all St. Sava’s children – from 1 day through 100+ years - a blessed and joyful feast day!
A profound quote from St. Sava to Irenaeus in the 13th century remains relevant today:
“At first we were confused; the East thought we were the West, and the West considered us to be the East. Some of us misunderstood our place in the clash of currents, many cried out they we belong to neither side, and others that we belong exclusively to one side or the other. But I tell you Irenaeus, we are fated to be the East in the West and the West in the East; to acknowledge only Heavenly Jerusalem beyond us and here on Earth, no one.”
St. Sava, “The Enlightener” was born a prince (Rastko Nemanjic, 1174), but chose a monastic life. As a young man he traveled to Mt. Athos where he established the Hilandar Monastery with his father, St. Simeon, the Myrrh-Streaming. In 1219, he was recognized as the first Serbian Orthodox Archbishop and authored Serbia’s first constitution, ‘Zakonopravilo’, thus securing full independence – both religious and political. The Faith is often endearingly referred to as “Svetosavlje”.
He is considered the founder of Serbian medieval literature and a diplomat. St. Sava was integral in the healing of Serbia’s schism centered between his brothers, Vukan and Stefan as well as the multinational conflicts imposed by the Great Crusades of 1204/05; he is also credited with the credo “Only Unity Saves the Serbs”.
St. Sava passed into eternal life in Tarnovo, Bulgaria on January 27, 1236 and was interred at Holy Forty Martyrs Church until 1237 when his relics were transferred to Milesava Monastery. 360 years later, the Ottoman Turks removed his relics and burned them on the Vracar Plateau in Belgrade. It is believed his right hand was saved and is currently held at Milesava Monastery. Over the centuries, many churches throughout the world have been dedicated to our beloved saint. Today, the Temple of St. Sava stands on Vracar as an eternal and magnificent tribute to the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
In addition to the patron saint of Serbia, her people and churches, St. Sava is considered the patron saint of children, education and schools.
SRECAN SAVINDAN!!
Ksenija Basic
January 26, 2017
*****
If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at heroesofserbia@yahoo.com
*****