Saint Stephen, First-Crowned King of Serbia

Life

Crowned as king in his endowment at Zhicha by his brother and spiritual father Saint Sava. A devout Christian, a wise and peace-loving ruler, Stephen together with Saint Sava raised Orthodoxy to a great triumph among his people. At his desire Saint Sava tonsured him as a monk before his death and gave him the name Simon. He reposed in the Lord on September 24, 1224. His wonderworking relics rest in Studenica. Saint David (formerly Prince Demetrius), son of Vukan, the brother of Stephen, built a monastery on the Lim, where he himself was tonsured as a monk. Saint King Vladislav, son of King Stephen, built the Monastery of Mileseva, where he transferred the relics of Saint Sava from Tarnovo. He distinguished himself by extraordinary mercy toward the destitute. On the coins of his time he signed himself: "servant of Christ, Vladislav."