SAINT SAVA

14 May – 19 July 2026

Authored by: Vladimir Radovanović, PhD, and Miljana Matić, PhD

As part of honouring the 850th anniversary of the birth of Rastko Nemanjić – Saint Sava, the first archbishop of the independent Church of Serbia and a great enlightener of the Serbian people, the SASA Gallery and the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church are organising the exhibition titled ’Saint Sava’, authored by Vladimir Radovanović, PhD, and Miljana Matić, PhD.

Saint Sava (circa 1175-1235) is one of the most significant figures of Serbian history, spirituality and culture. As a founder of the autocephalous Serbian church, enlightener, legislator and diplomat, Saint Sava left an indelible mark on the formation of Serbian cultural and spiritual identity.  His work encompasses the organisation of ecclesiastical life and the establishment of ecclesiastical-legislative order and education, literary work and foundational activities. These activities were imbued by the continuous spiritual mission of laying the sacred foundations of the Serbian medieval state through travel to the most important centres of the Eastern Christian world, the redemption of shrines and the acquisition of relics.

By presenting original, valuable artefacts – historical documents, old manuscripts and printed books, fresco-paintings, icons, graphic designs, paintings, ecclesiastical and artistic embroidery and other works, such as fresco copies and stone plastics alongside digital and multimedia content, the exhibition seeks to present the life, work, and legacy of Saint Sava, bringing them closer to contemporary audiences.