Sveti Sava Srpski i Sakralne Osnove Države Nemanjića

St. Sava, a pivotal figure in Serbian history, orchestrated a visionary program to establish a sacral foundation for the nascent Nemanjić state during its political rise in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His efforts included securing relics from the Holy Land, such as those of Christ and other evangelical figures, and donating them to Žiča, Serbia's cathedral and coronation church, thereby transforming it into a symbolic substitute for the Holy Land. Sava also cultivated the cult of his father, Simeon Nemanja, whose myrrh-gushing relics were transferred to Studenica, further solidifying the state's sacral roots. This study reveals how Sava's initiatives, rooted in theological teachings and dynastic propaganda, established Serbia as a 'New Israel' and integrated it into the broader European context through rituals like the coronation of Stefan the First-Crowned on relics. The research approach involves analyzing hagiographic, liturgical, and material aspects to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of Sava's sacral program.

Popović, D. I. (2025). SVETI SAVA SRPSKI I SAKRALNE OSNOVE DRŽAVE NEMANJIĆA. Sveti Sava : 1175-2025 : Tematski Zbornik Povodom 850 Godina Od Rođenja Svetog Save, 120–150. https://doi.org/10.46793/850ssava.120p