Hierarch Sava Iii Serbia

Saint Sava III, Archbishop of Serbia, was the third Serbian Church primate to bear the name Sava — distinct from St. Sava I (founder of Serbian autocephaly) and St. Sava II (nephew of Sava I). He trained theologically at Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, later served as its hegumen, and was subsequently elected Bishop of Prizren, where he oversaw construction of the Church of the Virgin Ljeviška. In 1309, following the death of Archbishop Eustathius II, he was elevated to the archiepiscopal throne, styling himself "Archbishop of all Serbian and maritime lands." He maintained close ties with King Stefan Milutin, advising him on the Banjska Monastery project, and enforced St. Sava I's directive of continued material support for Hilandar upon his successors. He died July 26, 1316; his birth year is unrecorded. Feast day: July 26/August 8, shared with Venerable-Martyr Paraskeva (Petka) of Tarnovo.