St. Sava's Day

St. Sava's Day

January 14 in the West and December 5 in the EastSt. Sava (1174-c. 1235) was a Serbian noble of the Nemanya dynasty who renounced his right to the throne and chose instead to become a monk. While his brother was crowned king, Sava became archbishop of Serbia and the cultural and spiritual leader of his people. He was the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and played a central role in education and the beginnings of medieval Serbian literature.
As the patron saint of the former Yugoslavia, St. Sava, or Sveti Sava, is commemorated on the anniversary of his death with special church services, speeches, and choral singing. Schoolchildren sing, dance, and recite poems in his honor.
SOURCES:
BkFest-1937, p. 336
OxYear-1999, p. 51
(c)