Venerable
Venerable Stefan the First-Crowned of Serbia (monk Simon)
ок. 1165 — 1228
Venerable Stefan of Serbia, the First-Crowned (c. 1165–1228) — eldest son of St. Simeon the Myrrh-streaming, brother of St. Sava of Serbia, founder of Serbian Church autocephaly.
Venerable Stephen of Serbia, in monasticism Simon, is known as Stefan the First-Crowned — eldest son of St. Stefan Nemanja (Simeon the Myrrh-streaming) and brother of St. Sava. Born c. 1165–1166, he received a royal crown from Rome in 1217, hence his epithet. He labored for Serbia's independence and helped secure Church autocephaly in 1219, and wrote a Life of his father. Before dying on September 24, 1228, he was tonsured with the name Simon; his body was found incorrupt. His relics rest at Studenica Monastery.