Život Svetog Save

by Nikolaj Velimirović

St Sava is the best known and much loved Serbian saint. Born in 1173, as a young man he left the home of the father, the King of Serbia, went to Mount Athos, became a monk and founded the great monastic house of Hilandar. In 1219 he was appointed the first archbishop of the newly organized autocephalous Serbian Church. He died in 1236 and was subsequently canonized as the spiritual "enlightener" of the Serbian Church.

Bishop Nicholai writes about St Sava in a simple, moving and clear manner. He uses his sources to convey the atmosphere and history of the time. Often brief chapters are accompanied by the Bishop's meditations on the meaning of particular events in the life of the saint. St Sava, he writes, "wanted only through the nationally organized church to make his people worthy members of the universal Orthodox family of Christ. He himself was permeated with the spirit of ecumenical Christianity. As such, he felt at home in every Orthodox community of every race and language."

Bishop Nicholai Velimirovich, the Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Zicha who lived from 1880 to 1956, was the most influential and the most productive figure in Serbian church life in this century. In 1946, after spending the war years in the Dachau concentration camp, he came to the United States and died in 1956.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Biography, Christianity

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Sveti vladika Nikolaj Ohridski i Žički (svetovno Nikola Velimirović; selo Lelić kod Valjeva, Kneževina Srbija, 23. decembar 1880/4. januar 1881 — Libertivil, SAD, 18. mart 1956) bio je episkop ohridski i žički, istaknuti teolog i govornik, otuda je nazivan Novi Zlatousti. Nikolaj Velimirović je novokanonizovani srpski svetitelj.

Njegovo rođeno ime je Nikola. U mladosti je teško oboleo od dizenterije i zakleo se da će posvetiti svoj život Bogu, ako preživi. Preživeo je i zamonašio se pod imenom Nikolaj. Velimirović je školovan na Zapadu i u mladosti je bio velik zastupnik liberalnih ideja i ekumenizma. Takođe je primljen u sveštenstvo i brzo je postao važna ličnost u Srpskoj pravoslavnoj crkvi, posebno u odnosima sa Zapadom. U međuratnom periodu postao je predvodnik pravoslavnih bogomoljaca i okrenuo se antievropejstvu i konzervativizmu. Osnivač je desničarske političke ideologije svetosavskog nacionalizma. Smatra se duhovnim inspiratorom Ljotićeve organizacije ZBOR. Često je kritikovan zbog antisemitskih stavova. Kada su u Drugom svetskom ratu Nemci okupirali Jugoslaviju, Velimirović je stavljen u kućni pritvor i na kraju odveden u logor Dahau, gde je proveo tri meseca pre nego što su ga Nemci oslobodili da bi pomogao u obrazovanju objedinjavanju jugoslovenskih kvislinga protiv nadiruće NOVJ i Crvene armije. Po završetku rata, Velimirović je odlučio da se ne vrati u Jugoslaviju, u koju su na vlast došli komunisti. Umesto toga, 1946. otišao je za Ameriku, gde je i ostao do svoje smrti 1956.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Sava lived a fascinating life. I was inspired by his devotion and passion for Christ, and his vast array of pilgrimages.

[Laura Hargett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been curious about the life of this saint since I began worshipping at a church named for him. I very much enjoyed reading about his life and his incredible contribution to Serbia. It's hard to believe that one man, even a saint could accomplish so much in his life. I also really enjoyed reading about his travels near the end of his earthly life. Mostly I appreciated what he tried to teach people about their faith, things that are still important today.

[Ivan Savić · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knjiga nije loša, ali je pisana više iz religijskog ugla, da tako kažem, nego iz istorijskog. Ne pominju se izvori ni u jednom trenutku, autor samo kaže drevni biograf je zapisao pa citira, ne kaže ni ko ni kad. Pominju se isto često čuda koja su se dešavala oko svetog save i ljudi oko njega. Ali je možda baš zato i izanimljivo jer prikazuje Svetoga Savu i legendu oko njega.

[Mirko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Књига је изузетно приступачна за читање што је врло типично за дела Св. владике Николаја.

Мањкавост књиге је у томе што је често обојена схватањима 20. века (због тога сам хтео да јој дам четири звездице) и што нема наведених извора (волео бих да знам шта су савременици Св. Саве записали а шта је Св. Николај дописао кроз личну инспирацију).

Дао сам јој пет звездица зато што је је такво дело потребно верницима СПЦ а у истоме је врло читка.

Вредно читања за свакога Србина и Православца.

[Lance Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a great book to introduce you to St. Sava you’ll find a great one here. Chapters are easy & like 2-5 pages each. 160 pages. Easy to pick up. A busy person would definitely probably enjoy this read for that reason.

[Sneza · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much does Serbia lack Saint Sava now ... To unite us, to bring us back to God and spiritual values

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My college professor gave me a St. Vladimir's Press catalog with this book circled when I was doing an independent study on the Balkans, my first book ordered from SVS. Beautiful hagiography, it has a lot to say about being Serbian as well as about St. Sava

[Praveen Braggs]

A true Leader, both in spiritual and Secular matters....