Born in 1114 from zhupan David, Stephen (Simeon in monasticism) was the youngest of four sons. Even at an early age, he ruled so wisely and piously that after his father's death, most of the country was given to him to rule; and then he suffered all his life from the anger of his brothers. God comforted him by giving Princess Anna, the daughter of the Byzantine emperor, as his wife. And they, having acquired holiness themselves, gave birth to two sons who also became saints. The sons of St. Simeon the Myrrh—streaming were St. Sava of Serbia (1169-1237), the founder of the Serbian Church, and St. Stephen the First—crowned (1196-1228), the first all-Serbian king, crowned king according to Orthodox tradition, in 1221 at the monastery of Zicha.
Being baptized into Latin at a young age, he later considered this baptism completely invalid and was baptized in a truly Orthodox way, never allowing any compromises between true Christianity and heresy, albeit very widespread and influential. That is why he so abruptly and irrevocably eradicated Bogomilism in his country. It was his holy love of truth that forever shaped the Serbian national soul, giving it that special directness and strength that is still felt in Serbian Orthodoxy.
In an effort to turn Serbia into an Orthodox kingdom, St. Simeon erected and maintained many churches in Serbia itself and throughout the Christian world. The crowning achievement of his life was the abdication of the throne, when he followed his son, St. Sava, at the age of 82. Together they asceticized on the Holy Mountain, founding the Serbian Hilandar Monastery here.
With a face illuminated by heavenly light, the Monk Simeon rested on the Lord at the age of 86. His relics remained soft and warm and exuded a gentle myrrh. When St. Sava returned to Serbia, he brought with him the relics of his father, and all the people witnessed that Simeon's body was still warm and looked alive, as if he were asleep. Currently, his relics reside in the Studenitsky Monastery, which he erected and in which he began his monastic life. And to this day, by the grace of God, they bring healing and consolation to all who come.