[[Image:Saint Savvas- Icon from his church.jpg|frame|right|Icon at the Entrance of his church in Kalymnos]]
[[Image:St-Savas-the-New-icon.jpg|frame|right|First ever icon of Saint Savvas]]
Our venerable and God-bearing father One of the newest contemporary saints of the Eastern Orthodox church, Saint '''Savvas the Newof Kalymnos''' (also spelled known as Saint '''Savvasthe New'' or ''Savas'') is the [[patron saint]] of the Greek island of [[Kalymnos (Calymna)]], where he lived during the last twenty years of his life as the [[priest]] and spiritual father of the [[nun]]s of the Convent of All Saints. He was a great [[ascetic]], [[confessor]], [[iconographer]], and [[wonder-worker|miracle-worker]]. He is one of the recently recognized [[saint]]s in the Greek Orthodox Church.
He died on [[April 7]], 1948 1947 and his remains were exhumed 10 years later in 1957 and "miracles happen for those who venerate these in faith". In Kalymnos, he is commemorated by the church [[April 7]]. The feasts dates of St. ''Savvas the New of Kalymnos'' are celebrated on various dates in different traditions, [[April 7]] ([[March 25]] in according to the [[Old Calendar]]), [[December 5]] with St. [[Savvas the Sanctified|Sava the Sanctified]], and the fifth Sunday of [[Great Lent]] with St. [[Mary of Egypt]].
==Saint Savvas Life==Saint Sava Savvas was born in 1862 in Herakleitsa, Eastern Thrace to Constantine the only child of Constantinos and Smaragdaboth devout people, who were very poor and he was there only son. When he was [[baptize]]d Upon his baptism he was given the name Vasilios.
From As a young age boy he had a calling for the holy [[monastic]] life and secretely left without his parents knowing for [[Mount Athos]] at the age of twelve where he entered [[St. Anne's Skete (Athos)|St. Anne's Skete]]. Along with the usual monastic duties, this is where he learned [[iconography]] and [[Byzantine chant|Byzantine music]].
After twelve years, he He later traveled to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage to the holy sites. He arrived in 1887 and entered the [[monastery]] of St. George Hozevitou Hozeva and lived there for seventeen years as a hermit in the deserted and rugged cliffs. After serving for a period as a [[novice]], he was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] and given the name ''SavaSavvas''.
In 1890, he joined the brotherhood of the Abbott Kallinikos (from Alatsata of Asia Minor) and in 1902 was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]]. In 1903, a year later, he was ordained to the holy priesthood by Archbishop ''Nikodemos from Diokesaria''. He spent almost 10 years in the desert by the Jordan where he led an austere life and occupied himself with prayer and iconography. His dwelling consisted of two cells which he reached by ascending up a rope ladder. This isolation was necessary for successful inner concentration and noetic prayer and he made great spiritual progress there.
[[Image:St-savvas2.jpg|frame|left|St. Sava the New of Kalymnos]]
Due to the irregularities caused by the raids of the Arabs in the Holy Land, and health reasons, St Savvas was forced to leave. He returned to the motherland - Greece where he searched for a quiet place to continue his monastic struggle. Originally he was attracted to the island of [[Patmos]], where he lived for a while in the hermitage of Grava and later at the [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Patmos, Greece)|Monastery of St. John]]. <ref> This is verified by an inscription on an icon painted by St. Savvas himself at the monastery "In the month of December in 1914 this icon was painted by the hand of the iconographer, heiromonk Savvas the Hosevite." </ref>
[[Image:St-Savas-the-NewHe later traveled for three years, throughout Greece, looking for a suitable place to stay.jpg|frame|left|St. Sava He visited Mount Athos, then the New Monastery of Kalymnos]]Due to Phaneromenis, then Salamina and finaly the irregularities caused by the raids island of the Arabs Hydra but in the Holy Land, and health reasons1919, Sava was forced to leave. He returned to Greece where he searched for a quiet place to continue his monastic life. He was attracted invited to stay at the island of Aegina, by St. [[PatmosNektarios of Aegina|Nektarios]], where he lived for to serve as a while in priest at the hermitage Convent of Grava the Holy Trinity, and later stayed for six years at this convent (from 1919 until 1925). There he taught the [[Monastery of St. John nuns the Theologian (Patmos, Greece)|Monastery holy art of St. John]]iconography and Byzantine music. <ref> This is verified by an inscription on an icon painted by period was one of the most significant events in his biography due to his friendship with St. Sava Nektarios; who was at the monastery "In the month height of December in 1914 his spiritual development at this icon was painted by time. St Savvas had the opportunity to confess and receive counsel from the hand of saint and the iconographer, holy monk Savvas two held each other in highest esteem and regarded each other a saint. They were spiritual brothers and the Hosevitebest of friends." </ref>
He later traveled St Savvas, the clergyman who conducted the funeral service for three yearsSaint Nektarios, throughout Greece, looking for a suitable place to stayalso painted the first [[icon]] of the saint.:''One day St. He visited Savvas asked the [[Mount Athosabbess]]not to let anyone disturb him for forty days, then during which he remained confined to his cell in which the nuns could hear constant conversation (between the Monastery of Phaneromenis, then Salamina living Saint and finaly the island reposed Saint). After 40 days, he came out of his cell holding an icon of Hydra but the saint. He handed it to the abbess and asked her to place it in 1919the church for veneration. The abbess was surprised since Nektarios had not been formerly [[glorification|glorified]] ("canonized") as a saint, he and was invited to stay at afraid that the Greek island of Aeginaconvent would get into trouble. Although Savvas was always meek and humble, he insisted, by Stand told her in a commanding manner: "You must show obedience. Take the icon and place it on the [[Nektarios of Aeginaiconostasis|Nektariosicon stand]], to serve as a priest at and do not scrutinize the Convent will of God." He knew the Holy Trinity, holiness and stayed for six years at this convent (from 1919 until 1925)purity of St. Nektarios. There '' During the forty days he taught spent locked in the room where St Nektarios tomb was, the nuns could hear two voices having conversations, and believed the sacred art second voice was that of iconography the recently departed St Nektarios, so the living and Byzantine musicdead were having discussions. Soon after the repose of St. Nektarios, the number of pilgrims to the convent increased rapidly due to the growing reputation of the saint as a miracle-worker. This period was one greatly disrupted the quiet life that Saint Savvas loved and with the encouragement of the most significant events influential wealthy Kalymnian Gerasimos Zervos<ref> Gerasimos Zervos, the husband of Anna, who later became Sister Monica, who also went to Kalymnos.</ref>, he departed in his biography due 1925 and went to his friendship with Stthe island of Kalymnos. Nektarios; who was at There, he spent the height last years of his life as the priest and spiritual development father at this timethe ''Convent of All Saints''. Sava had the opportunity As a [[confessor]], he combined leniency with severity. He was lenient on certain sins and severe to confess others. For him Blasphemy against God and receive counsel from his saints was one of the saint greatest sins. He remained an ardent spiritual striver until the end of life and practiced extreme forms of self-restraint with regard to food, drink, and the two held each other sleep. St. Savvas became a shining example of virtue to all who came into contact with him. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in high esteem his presence and considered each a saintsome even saw him rising above the ground as he stood at prayer.
Towards the end of his life, St. Savvas conducted remained in a state of intense prayer and holy contrition. For three days he did not receive anyone and he gave his last counsels: requested love and obedience in Christ. When he was on the funeral service for Saint Nektarios point of death taking his last breath, suddenly he received strength, brought his blessed small hands together, and is also renowed clapped them repeatedly saying his last holy words: "The Lord! The Lord! The Lord," then he recited the hymn of the Annunciation which the nuns found odd as it was not the Annunciation with the new gregorian calendar, but only did the nuns realise later that at that point those following the old Julian calendar were celebrating the vesper feast for painting the first Annunciation. Thus, he died on [[iconApril 7]]] , 1947 (which was March 25 for the Old Calendar - the eve of the saint.:''One day St. Savvas asked [[feast]] of the [[abbessAnnunciation]] not to let anyone disturb him for forty days. Upon closing his eyes, during which he remained confined to his cell in which one of the nuns could hear constant conversation (between saw the living Saint and soul of the reposed Saint)saint ascending in a golden cloud towards heaven. After 40 days, he came out of his cell holding an icon of 10 years when the saint. He handed it to 's grave was opened, a heavenly fragrance emanated from the abbess and asked her to place it in grave which covered the church for veneration. The abbess whole island of Kalymnos, this phenomenon was surprised since Nektarios had not been formerly witnessed by many, including the local [[glorification|glorifiedbishop]] who upsettingly and initially was refusing to grant permission to the nuns to exhume his relics ("canonized") when after three years of his death St Savvas miraculously appeared to the nuns ordering them to exhume him as the side of his head was getting wet being buried with his head at the base of a saint, water deposit-sterna in greek) and only after following years of torment and was afraid that dreams did the convent would get into trouble. Although Savvas was always meek then Bishop Isidoros believe and humble, he insistedallowed his relics to be exhumed, finding his whole body incorrupt and told her in intact apart from a small section on his skull where a commanding manner: "You must show obedience. Take patch of his skin deteriorated because of the icon and place it water leaking on him- as the Saint had said to the nuns!) This was a testament to the sanctity of the saint. Numerous [[iconostasis|icon standmiracle]], s and do not scrutinize the will of Godhealings have since been attributed to St." He knew Savvas the holiness and purity New of StKalymnos. Nektarios.''
After the repose of St. Nektarios, the number == Icons of pilgrims to the convent increased due to the growing reputation of the saint as a miracle-worker. This greatly disrupted the quiet life that Savvas loved and with the encouragement of Gerasimos Zervos <ref> Gerasimos Zervos, the husband of Anna, who later became Sister Monica, who also went to Kalymnos. </ref>, he departed in 1925 and went to the island of Kalymnos.Saints Life ==
There, he spent <small><gallery>Image:St Nectarios- Kimisi-close-up.jpg|Saint Savvas was the last years only clergyman to officiate at Saint Nectarios' funeral.Image:St_Savvas_of_Kalymnos-with_Icon6X4.jpg|Icon of his life as the priest and spiritual father at Saint holding the first icon of Saint Nectarios.Image:Saint Savvas- miracle in church.jpg|On many occasions Saint Savvas while liturgising was witnessed levtitating with a sacrificial Christ on the ''Convent altar table.Image:Saint Savvas -teaching Nuns.jpg|Saint Savvas was also a great teacher of All Saints''Orthodoxy. Teaching theology, iconography and Byzantine chant.Image:Saint Savvas Confessing. As jpg|Saint Savvas was also a [[very discerning confessor]], he combined leniency with severity. He was both lenient on certain sins and severe to otherswhen requiredImage:Saint Savvas giving child.jpg|Saint Savvas has been quite miraculous in granting childless couples children.Image:Saint Savvas Miracle at sea. He remained an ardent spiritual striver until jpg|Saint Savvas has saved many storm stricken vessels at sea, with only the end mention of life and practiced extreme forms his name.Image:Saint Savvas miracle for Bishop.jpg|Here Saint Savvas cures monk Panteliemon Lambadarios (currently a bishop in Alexandria) of self-restraint with regard to foodcancer, drink, and sleephe's a well know healer of cancer. StImage:Saint Savvas kimisi-2. jpg|The repose of Saint Savvas became a shining example of virtue to all who came into contact with himKalymnos on 7th April 1947 (Annunciation 25th March OC)Image:SAINT_SAVVAS_MIRACLE. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in his presence and some even saw him rising above the ground as he stood at prayerJPG|X-ray of healed tumour by Saint Savvas of Kalymnos.</gallery></small>
Towards the end == Photographs of his life, St. Savvas was in a state of intense prayer and holy contrition. For three days he did not receive anyone and he gave his last counsels: requested love and obedience in Christ. When he was on the point of death taking his last breath, suddenly he received strength, brought his blessed small hands together, and clapped them repeatedly saying his last holy words: "The Lord! The Lord! The Lord!" He went to the Lord in 1948 on the eve of the [[feast]] of the [[Annunciation]]. One nun saw the soul of the saint ascending in a golden cloud towards heaven. After about 10 years when the saintSaint's grave was opened in accordance to the Greek Orthodox custom, a heavenly fragrance emanated from the grave which covered the whole island of Kalymnos, this phenomenon was witnessed by many, including the local [[bishop]]. This was a testament to the sanctity of the saint. Numerous [[miracle]]s and healings have since been attributed to St. Savvas the New of Kalymnos.Monastery ==
<small><gallery>
Image:Saint Savvas Church-Mountain.jpg|Monastery of All Saints.
Image:Saint Savvas- church.jpg|Church of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos
Image:Church entrance.jpg|Entry to church
Image:Saint Savvas Larnaca.jpg|Larnaca of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos
Image:Saint Savvas-Close-up.jpg|Close-up of saints relics
Image:Saint Savvas-tomb.jpg|Original burial place of St Savvas
Image:Saint Savvas-entry to cell.jpg|Entry to Saints cell
Image:Saint Savvas-room.jpg|Inside the Saints cell
Image:Saint Savvas personal belongings.jpg|Some personal belongings
Image:Saint Savvas walking stick.jpg|Saints Walking stick
</gallery></small>
== Video Slideshow ==
== Icons of the Saints life ==[[Imagehttp:Saint Savvas- miracle in church//youtu.jpg]][[Image:Saint Savvas be/O9-teaching Nuns.jpg]][[Image:Saint Savvas Confessing.jpg]][[Image:Saint Savvas giving child.jpg]][[Image:Saint Savvas Miracle at sea.jpg]][[Image:Saint Savvas miracle for Bishop.jpg]]faBf4ag4
== Notes ==
<small><references/></small>
==Hymns==
==Source==
*Revised & written by Fr Savas Pizanias (BTh, BEd) with the use and reference of St Savvas original biography- book in Greek ''Αγιος Σάββας ο Νέος", Papanikolaou Eds. 1993.Also ''Modern Orthodox Saints'', Vol. 8. "[http://www.panagiavlahernon.org/st-savvas.html St. Savvas the New]" by Dr. Constantine Cavarnos, Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies ISBN 0914744631 *Photographs & Icons courtesy of Fr Savas Pizanias and Constantine Vellis Cutie-Pie Photography - NSW Australia contact - info@cutiepiephoto.com.au
==External links==
*[http://www.koel-art.com/pics/byz3/45-3.jpg Icon of St. Savas of Kalymnos]
*[http://www.abbamoses.com/months/april.html Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos (1948) (March 25 OC)] (under the entry for April 7)
*[http://www.360cities.net/image/the-monastery-of-agios-savvas Virtual Tour of the Monastery of St. Savvas of Kalymnos in Greece]
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[[Category:Athonite Fathers]]
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[[Category:20th-century saints]]
[[ro:Sava cel Nou]]
