The Serbian medieval state, which under the Nemanjic dynasty (12th to 14th century) grew into a major power in the Balkan peninsula, developed in the nearby mountain regions, in Raska (with Bosnia) and in Duklja (later Zeta and then Montenegro).
The heirs of the first archbishop Saint Sava (prince RastkoNemanjic) built several additional temples around the Church of the Holy Apostles, lying the ground for what was to become the Patriarchate of Pec.
The spiritual rebirth was reflected in the restoration of deserted churches and monasteries: some twenty new churches were built in Kosovo and Metohia alone, inclusive of printing houses (the most important one was at Gracanica): many old and abandoned churches were redecorated with frescoes.
After a struggle for the throne with his brothers, Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty, rose to power in 1170 and started renewing the Serbian state in the Raska region.
Stefan Nemanja was succeeded by his middle son Stefan, whilst his first-born Vukan was given the rule of the Zeta region (present-day Montenegro).
Stefan Nemanja's youngest son Rastko became a monk and took the name of Sava, turning all his efforts to spreading religiousness among his people.
As the ruler of one part of the former Nemanjic` estate Tvrtko accepted to tie his rule to their tradition.
That`s why it wasn`t very difficult for him to accept the attitude of his chief administrator Vlatko who persuaded him that the Serbian Crown was intended to be his.
"Projekat Rastko - Biblioteka srpske kulture na Internetu"; Tehnologije, izdavaštvo i agencija "Janus"; kao i nosioci pojedinačnih autorskih prava.
The Nemanjic led Serbia to a golden age which lasted for over three centuries and produced a powerful Balkan state which had its apogee under the reign of Emperor Stefan Dusan in the mid-14th century, before finally succumbing to Ottoman Turkish subjugation (with Zeta, the last bastion, finally falling in 1499).
In the early 1190s, the young Rastko left home to join the Orthodox monastic community on Mount Athos.
www.orthodoxwiki.org /Sava_of_Serbia (1955 words)
About Serb(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-20)
The medieval Serbian state was most powerful during the reign of Emperor Dusan Nemanjic, who consolidated the legal system of the empire by his Law issued in 1349 (with additions of 1354).
Prince RastkoNemanjic (1174 - 1235) became monk Sava, and in time was elected the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Different traditions and legends grew around his character - with the passage of time - he is supposed to have thought the Serbs to till the land, to build watermills, to keep flock.
At the time of King Milutin (1282-1321) from the Nemanjic dynasty, silver coins were forged that were in demand even far beyond the boundaries of Milutin's state.
The Mileseva Monastery was founded by King Vladislav, the son of the King Stefan Prvovencani and the grandson of Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic Dynasty that brought progress to the Serbian mediaeval state.
In the Middle Age, at the time of Nemanjic dynasty, numerous monasteries were built in Polimlje, and Prijepolje played an important role as the trading and the centre of caravan roads.
In the thousand year long-history of Serbs, Kosovo and Metohia were for many centuries the state center and chief religious stronghold, the heartland of their culture and springwell of its historical traditions.
The Serbian medieval state, which under the Nemanjic dynasty (12th to 14th century) grew into a major power in the Balkan peninsula, developed in the nearby mountain regions, in Raska (with Bosnia) and in Duklja (later Zeta and then Montenegro).
The heirs of the first archbishop Saint Sava (prince RastkoNemanjic) built several additional temples around the Church of the Holy Apostles, lying the ground for what was to become the Patriarchate of Pec.
Being kings of Serbia for almost three centuries, the Nemanjics created one powerful and organized state, built numerous churches and monasteries and even wrote some of the greatest literal works of their time.
Stefan Nemanja was the founder of the state and his second son became the very first king of Serbia, while Stefan himself had the title of the Great Duke.
His son Rastko, went to the monastery and took a name of Sava.
Oddly enough none of that land was ever considered Serbian in spite of the fact that the great majority of the population living there were Serbs.
Only after the success of the Nemanjic Dynasty (12th century, with the success of Stefan Provovencani, Stefan Dusan) the foothills of today’s mountain Kopaonik became known as Raska and worked as a Serbian kingdom.
On of the Nemanjic brothers (Rastko) took to obtaining independence for Serbian Orthodox church within the Byzantine empire and the request was granted from the Holy See in today’s Istanbul (Konstantinopolis in those days).
The medieval Serbian state was most powerful during the reign of Emperor Dusan Nemanjic, who consolidated the legal system of the empire by his Law issued in 1349 (with additions of 1354).
Prince RastkoNemanjic (1174 - 1235) became monk Sava, and in time was elected the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Different traditions and legends grew around his character - with the passage of time - he is supposed to have thought the Serbs to till the land, to build watermills, to keep flock.
The first anniversary of the establishing the SAF Special Brigade was marked at RastkoNemanjic barracks in Pancevo on 29 September 2007.
On that occasion the winners of the 10th International Parachute Championship were presented with prizes, which was held in Nis from 26 till 28 September.
At the end of the ceremony the Defense minister laid the commemorative wreath in memory of the killed member of the unit.
News - 23-1-2003(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-20)
After the Liturgy, a festive performance dedicated to Saint Sava is to be held.
Judging by numerous stories relating to Saint Sava, it is obvious that he has been one of the most popular and loved persons among the Serbs.
Saint Sava was born around 1175 as RastkoNemanjic, the third and the youngest son of Stefan Nemanja (who governed the then tribal state as the Great Zupan) and Ana.
Due to the ideological projection constructed both by the national romantic and state controlled Albanian historiography during the twentieth century, Kosovo gradually became a symbol of "occupied ethnic territory" for the local Albanians.
However, the scholarly confirmed and verifiable facts showed that, besides monumental endowments erected by Serbian rulers and Church dignitaries during the Middle Ages, numerous smaller Orthodox churches and monasteries were built by several dozens of local Serbian lords.
