The Russian Orthodox Church has officially included the name of Venerable Euphemia of Devic, a Serbian saint renowned for her ascetic life and spiritual guidance, in its liturgical calendar. The decision was adopted by the Church’s Holy Synod on October 22, 2026, with her feast day set for February 28.

Euphemia of Devic, born Stojna Zarić in 1815, spent much of her life at Devic Monastery in Kosovo and Metohija. She died in 1895 and was known for her strict asceticism and the Christian practice of foolishness for Christ — a form of spiritual devotion that rejects conventional notions of worldly success and social recognition in pursuit of a deeper religious life.

According to Serbian Orthodox tradition, Euphemia guided people in the Orthodox faith, called them to repentance and served as a source of spiritual support for local Serbs during difficult historical circumstances. She was also known among the faithful as Blessed Stojna.

The Serbian Orthodox Church’s Council of Bishops canonized Euphemia in May 2026. Following that decision, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije appealed to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to include her name in the Russian Orthodox Church’s calendar of saints.

The Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod granted the request, establishing her feast day on February 15 according to the Julian calendar, corresponding to February 28 in the Gregorian calendar.

Euphemia’s life is closely associated with Devic Monastery in Kosovo and Metohija, where she pursued her spiritual vocation. The monastery suffered damage during the anti-Serb riots of March 2004 but was subsequently restored and resumed its role as a center of monastic life.

In its resolution, the Holy Synod also called for prayers for the preservation of ancient Orthodox shrines and for the faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija.

The inclusion of Euphemia of Devic in the Russian Orthodox Church’s liturgical calendar formally recognizes her veneration within the Russian Church and allows its faithful to commemorate her according to the established church calendar.

Photo: The grave of Saint Euphemia at the Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Prizren, Kosovo and Metohija.