January 14th - Saint Sava of Serbia

[Weedy]

January 14th - Saint Sava of Serbia
Also known as
Rastko Nemanjic
Saba
Sabas
Sabbas

(1175-1237)
Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Sava of Serbia, uniter of the
Serbian people, founder of the Khilandrai Monastery on Mount Athos,
and first Archbishop and patron saint of Serbia.

Born Rostivslav, the son of the Serbian king Stephen Nemanya, the
future saint was drawn from an early point in childhood to the
religious life. As a young boy, he fervently attended church services,
and demonstrated a special love for iconography. At the age of 17,
following a chance meeting with a monk from Mount Athos, Rostivslav
left his family home and entered the monastery at Saint Panteleimon.

Knowing that his father would disapprove of this choice, Rostivslav
left home in secret. His father, King Stephen, reacted as his son had
predicted, threatening war against the governor of the Greek district
if Rostivslav was not returned to him. The king dispatched trusted
aids and soldiers to safely return his son to him, and upon their
arrival they found him safely embracing the monastic life. That
evening, he received the monastic tonsure, taking the name Sava, and
rather than accompany his father’s guards home, instead sent his
worldly clothes and possessions and a persuasive letter. It was Sava’s
hope that his parents, in their worldly power, would embrace
monasticism. His father eventually abdicated the throne and joined
Sava, taking the monastic name of Simeon.

Together with his father, Saint Sava established the Serbian Hilander
monastery on Mount Athos, and then countless more throughout the
region. Sava’s mother, Anna, eventually became a nun, taking the name
Anastasia. Saint Sava was a model of religious virtue and deed, and
was recognized by the leaders of Serbia for his actions. He was
consecrated the first Archbishop of Serbia, and successfully
petitioned that Serbian bishops be allowed to elect their own
Archbishop in the future, ensuring Eastern autonomy at a time of great
East-West fighting.

Having been appointed Archbishop, the life of Saint Sava changed
dramatically. After a return to the Holy Mountain, he visited each of
his monasteries for the last time, blessing them, instructing the
religious, and making his farewells with deep remorse. It is said that
he left “the Holy Mountain, as if from Paradise.” Later, while
trudging along the road from Mount Athos to Thessalonica, he
encountered Our Blessed Mother, the Theotokos, who spoke to him in a
dream. "Having My Patronage,” Mary, the Mother of God, said to Saint
Sava, “why do you remain sorrowful?" Upon awakening, his despondency
turned to joy, and he commissioned many icons of the Theotokos in
celebration.

The remainder of Saint Sava’s life was spent in service to peace and
unity. He worked to solidify the Serbian Church, demonstrating and
performing many miracles. He unified the political factions of Serbia,
eventually crowning his brother, Radislav, king of the land. He visited
churches throughout the region, strengthening orthodoxy, enacting
reform, consecrating and establishing holy places, and instituting the
monastic rules of Athos on religious communities.

Saint Sava, following a life of constant travel and service, desired
nothing more than “to end his days as a wanderer in a foreign land."
He set off, alone, on a hermit’s journey, passing through Palestine,
Syria, Persia, Babylon, Egypt and Anatolia. Everywhere he went, he was
drawn to holy places, collecting holy relics of saints, and meeting
the great ascetics. He died peacefully and joyfully in Bulgaria, at
the age of 62.

The relics of Saint Sava were translated to the Church of Mileshevo in
Serbia, where numerous miracles of healing were reported. Three
hundred years later, during the invasion, the relics of Saint Sava were
burned. However, miracles continued to occur through his intercession.
Today, the largest orthodox cathedral in the world, in Belgrade, is
dedicated to Saint Sava.

Saint Sava desired a quiet, monastic life—like many of the great
ascetics throughout Church history. He wished to remain in solitude,
communing with the Lord, and growing deeper in his faith. However,
this was not the plan for Saint Sava. Instead, he established monastic
communities, traveled considerably, had honors and titles thrust upon
him, and brokered peace through involvement not only with family
disagreements, but with national political discord. Saint Sava
accepted the role that the Lord intended for him with patience and
endurance, dedicating himself to the will of the Lord, and service to
Our Blessed Mother. The path we are asked to take is frequently not
what we would choose or plan for ourselves. From Saint Sava, we can
learn how best to follow the Will of God, recognizing that He alone
knows what is best for us.


Saint Quote:
“At first we were confused. The East thought that we were West, while
the West considered us to be East. Some of us misunderstood our place
in the clash of currents, so they cried that we belong to neither
side, and others that we belong exclusively to one side or the other.
But I tell you, Ireneus, we are doomed by fate 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.”
—Saint Sava to Saint Ireneus

Bible Quote:
"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains
his lips is wise." (Proverbs 10:19)


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Thou wast a guide to the Way of Life, a first Hierarch and a teacher;
thou didst come and enlighten thy home country, O Sava,
and give it rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast planted thy children like olive trees in the spiritual Paradise.
O Equal-to-the-Apostles and Saints, pray to Christ our God to grant us
His great mercy.

As the first great hierarch and co-worker with the Apostles,
the Church of thy people magnifies thee;
and since thou hast found favor with Christ,
save us by thy prayers from every calamity,
so that we may proclaim to thee: Rejoice, God-wise Father Sava.

O guide of Orthodoxy and blessed teacher of virtues,
purifier and enlightener of thy homeland,
beauty of monastics,
most wise Father, Holy Sava,
by thy teaching thou didst enlighten thy people,
O flute of the Spirit, pray to Christ God for our souls.