SVETI SAVA U ISTORIJI SRPSKO-RUSKIH DUHOVNIH VEZA

The first historically documented meeting between Serbs and Russians is linked to the person of Saint Sava. His encounter with an unknown Russian monk from Mount Athos at the court of the Serbian Grand Župan Stefan Nemanja in Ras, in the early 1190s, significantly shaped later Serbian history, marking the beginning of the rich history of Serbian-Russian spiritual ties, which has been ongoing for more than eight centuries. Throughout this entire period, the person of the first Serbian archbishop has represented an unbroken thread connecting the two Slavic nations. This paper presents Saint Sava’s pivotal role in the centuries-long history of spiritual ties between Serbs and Russians. First, it points out the key moments in his earthly life that illustrate the interweaving of his work with Russian spirituality and culture. It starts with his meeting with the Russian monk in Ras before highlighting the significance of the Russian monastery on Mount Athos as the place where he began his ascetic struggle, as well as the importance of his later ties with Russian Athonite monks. The Mileševa fresco of Saints Boris and Gleb, painted at his request, testifies to the deep spiritual connection of Saint Sava with the Russians. The first Russian mention of Saint Sava, in the Book of Pilgrims by Anthony of Novgorod, is also analyzed. The second part of the paper presents Saint Sava’s posthumous role in the history of Serbian-Russian spiritual ties. It traces the development of his cult in Russia, which peaked in the 16th century during the reign of the first Russian Tsar, Ivan IV the Terrible. The significance of the Zakonopravilo in the history of the Russian Church is highlighted. The most significant results of Russian scholarly research on Saint Sava, conducted over the past two centuries, are also presented. The paper synthetically presents a unique history of Saint Sava’s role in Serbian-Russian spiritual ties.