In a grand celebration marking the 850th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of Serbia and founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, thousands of pilgrims gathered in the village of Dejeva, nestled at the foot of Mount Golija. The ceremony was led by Serbian Patriarch Porphyry, who officiated a Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava, situated at a historical site where the palaces of Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja once stood, and where, according to tradition, Nemanja’s youngest son, Rasko (later canonized as Saint Sava), was born.

Accompanied by Metropolitans Theodosius of Raška-Prizren, Ignatius of Požarevac-Braničevo, and the vicar bishop of Novo Brdo, Ilarion, Patriarch Porphyry was joined by clergy and monastics from various dioceses. The event also saw the participation of a large crowd of pilgrims and faithful from across the Raška region.

In his homily, Patriarch Porphyry reflected on the profound spiritual legacy of Saint Sava, emphasizing his role as a spiritual giant who spread the message of love and unity across nations. “Saint Sava was born here 850 years ago, and from that moment, he began to grow as a true man of God. He traveled to many lands – Egypt, Baghdad, the West – building bridges of friendship wherever he went. His message was simple yet profound: Love is the meaning of life, a love that carries the cross, endures humiliation and suffering, and in the end, conquers,” the Patriarch said.

He went on to proclaim Dejeva as the spiritual birthplace of all Orthodox Serbs, urging everyone to consider this sacred place as their spiritual home. “We were all born here in faith. And so, today, we come to you as brothers and sisters, to share the joy, strengthen our faith, and pray together for peace, love, and unity among our people.”

After the liturgy, Patriarch Porphyry visited the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in ancient Ras, one of the oldest Christian shrines in the region, where he consecrated and laid the first stone for the new Patriarchal Residence.

The celebrations culminated with a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, held at the nearby Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery.

Saint Sava, originally named Rastko Nemanjic, is widely revered not only as a church and national figure but also as the heavenly patron of the Serbian people. His feast day, known as Savin Dan, is celebrated as both a national and school holiday in Serbia.

In 2012, a church was built at the site of the ancient cathedral where Saint Sava is believed to have been born, and this church became the focal point for the 850th anniversary celebrations in 2025.