Saint Sava Slava

Saint Sava is known as the enlightener. He was a Serbian prince and Orthodox monk and he was also the first Archbishop of the autocephalous Serbian Church. He was the founder of Serbian law, and a diplomat. Sava, born as Rastko , was the youngest son of Stefan Nemanja (founder of the Nemanjić dynasty), and ruled the appanage of Hum briefly in 1190–92. He then left for Mount Athos in Greece where he became a monk, with the name Sava. He established the monastery of Hilandar at Athos, which became one of the most important cultural and religious centers of the Serbian people. In 1219 he was recognized as the first Serbian Archbishop by the Patriarchate. Amongst other things Sava is also regarded as the founder of Serbian medieval literature.

He is widely considered as one of the most important figures of Serbian history too. St. Sava is remembered as the founder of the independent Serbian Orthodox Church and is celebrated as the patron saint of education and medicine among Serbs.

On his feast day, students partake in recitals and so Prima International school of Belgrade did too. We lit up a candle (which is a part of the tradition in order to establish the communication between us and the god) and many students enjoyed the “Slavski kolac” as well as wheat that are also traditionally eaten on Saint Sava’s day. There was a proper celebrating and most students took part in it. Overall it was a great experience that kids enjoyed. It was educational for them too because they learned about the country that they are in and its religious celebrations.