Book excerpt: St. Sava, a significant figure in Serbian history, was the son of Prince Nemania and Princess Anne. After years of longing for a male heir, they prayed for a child, leading to Sava's birth. He was raised in the Christian faith, displaying virtues like humility and charity. At 14, he was given governance responsibilities, but upon reaching adulthood, he felt called to a monastic life. Despite his parents' wishes for him to marry, he secretly planned to escape to Mount Athos, ultimately becoming a monk and renouncing his princely life to serve God.