[[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 of Hydra but in 1919reposed Saint). After 40 days, he was invited came out of his cell holding an icon of the saint. He handed it to the abbess and asked her to stay at place it in the Greek island of Aegina, by Stchurch for veneration. The abbess was surprised since Nektarios had not been formerly [[Nektarios of Aeginaglorification|Nektariosglorified]], to serve ("canonized") as a priest at the Convent of the Holy Trinitysaint, and stayed for six years at this was afraid that the convent (from 1919 until 1925)would get into trouble. There Although Savvas was always meek and humble, he taught the nuns the sacred art of iconography insisted, and Byzantine music. This period was one of the most significant events told her in his biography due to his friendship with Sta commanding manner: "You must show obedience. Nektarios; who was at Take the height of his spiritual development at this time. Sava had icon and place it on the opportunity to confess [[iconostasis|icon stand]], and receive counsel from do not scrutinize the saint and will of God." He knew the two held each other in high esteem holiness and considered each a saintpurity of St. Nektarios. ''
Savvas conducted the funeral service for Saint Nektarios and is also renowed for painting the first [[icon]] of During the saint.:''One day St. Savvas asked the [[abbess]] not to let anyone disturb him for forty days, during which he remained confined to his cell spent locked in which the room where St Nektarios tomb was, the nuns could hear constant conversation (between two voices having conversations, and believed the second voice was that of the recently departed St Nektarios, so the living Saint and dead were having discussions. Soon after the reposed Saint)repose of St. After 40 daysNektarios, he came out of his cell holding an icon the number of pilgrims to the saint. He handed it convent increased rapidly due to the abbess and asked her to place it in growing reputation of the church for veneration. The abbess was surprised since Nektarios had not been formerly [[glorification|glorified]] ("canonized") saint as a saint, and was afraid miracle-worker. This greatly disrupted the quiet life that the convent would get into trouble. Although Saint Savvas was always meek loved and humble, he insisted, and told her in a commanding manner: "You must show obedience. Take with the icon and place it on encouragement of the [[iconostasis|icon stand]]influential wealthy Kalymnian Gerasimos Zervos<ref> Gerasimos Zervos, and do not scrutinize the will husband of GodAnna, who later became Sister Monica, who also went to Kalymnos." He knew </ref>, he departed in 1925 and went to the holiness and purity island of St. NektariosKalymnos.''
After There, he spent the repose last years of Sthis life as the priest and spiritual father at the ''Convent of All Saints''. NektariosAs a [[confessor]], the number of pilgrims he combined leniency with severity. He was lenient on certain sins and severe to the convent increased due to the growing reputation others. For him Blasphemy against God and his saints was one of the saint as a miracle-workergreatest sins. This greatly disrupted He remained an ardent spiritual striver until the quiet end of life that Savvas loved and practiced extreme forms of self-restraint with the encouragement of Gerasimos Zervos <ref> Gerasimos Zervosregard to food, the husband of Annadrink, who later and sleep. St. Savvas became Sister Monica, a shining example of virtue to all who also went to Kalymnoscame into contact with him. </ref>, he departed Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in 1925 his presence and went to some even saw him rising above the island of Kalymnosground as he stood at prayer.
ThereTowards the end of his life, St. Savvas 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 spent 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 years holy words: "The Lord! The Lord! The Lord," then he recited the hymn of his life the Annunciation which the nuns found odd as it was not the Annunciation with the new gregorian calendar, but only did the priest and spiritual father nuns realise later that at that point those following the old Julian calendar were celebrating the vesper feast for the ''Convent of All Saints''Annunciation. As a Thus, he died on [[confessorApril 7]]], he combined leniency with severity. He 1947 (which was lenient on certain sins and severe to othersMarch 25 for the Old Calendar - the eve of the [[feast]] of the [[Annunciation]]. He remained an ardent spiritual striver until Upon closing his eyes, one of the nuns saw the end soul of life and practiced extreme forms the saint ascending in a golden cloud towards heaven. After 10 years when the saint's grave was opened, a heavenly fragrance emanated from the grave which covered the whole island of self-restraint with regard to foodKalymnos, drinkthis phenomenon was witnessed by many, including the local [[bishop]] who upsettingly and sleep. initially was refusing to grant permission to the nuns to exhume his relics (when after three years of his death St. Savvas became a shining example miraculously appeared to the nuns ordering them to exhume him as the side of virtue to all who came into contact his head was getting wet being buried with him. Many smelled his head at the base of a heavenly fragrance water deposit-sterna in greek) and only after following years of torment and dreams did the then Bishop Isidoros believe and allowed his relics to be exhumed, finding his presence whole body incorrupt and some even saw intact apart from a small section on his skull where a patch of his skin deteriorated because of the water leaking on him rising above - as the ground as he stood at prayerSaint had said to the nuns!) 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.
Towards the end 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]] == Icons of the [[Annunciation]]. One nun saw the soul of the saint ascending in a golden cloud towards heaven. After about 10 years when the saint'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.Saints Life ==
<small><gallery>
Image:St Nectarios- Kimisi-close-up.jpg|Saint Savvas was the only clergyman to officiate at Saint Nectarios' funeral.
Image:St_Savvas_of_Kalymnos-with_Icon6X4.jpg|Icon of the 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 altar table.
Image:Saint Savvas -teaching Nuns.jpg|Saint Savvas was also a great teacher of Orthodoxy. Teaching theology, iconography and Byzantine chant.
Image:Saint Savvas Confessing.jpg|Saint Savvas was also a very discerning confessor. He was both lenient and severe when required
Image:Saint Savvas giving child.jpg|Saint Savvas has been quite miraculous in granting childless couples children.
Image:Saint Savvas Miracle at sea.jpg|Saint Savvas has saved many storm stricken vessels at sea, with only the mention of his name.
Image:Saint Savvas miracle for Bishop.jpg|Here Saint Savvas cures monk Panteliemon Lambadarios (currently a bishop in Alexandria) of cancer, he's a well know healer of cancer.
Image:Saint Savvas kimisi-2.jpg|The repose of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos on 7th April 1947 (Annunciation 25th March OC)
Image:SAINT_SAVVAS_MIRACLE.JPG|X-ray of healed tumour by Saint Savvas of Kalymnos.
</gallery></small>
== Icons Photographs of the Saints life Saint's Monastery ==
<small><gallery>Image:Saint Savvas Church-Mountain.jpg|Monastery of All Saints.Image:Saint Savvas- miracle in church.jpg|Church of Saint Savvas of KalymnosImage:Church entrance.jpg|Entry to churchImage:Saint Savvas Larnaca.jpg|Larnaca of Saint Savvas of KalymnosImage:Saint Savvas-Close-up.jpg|Close-up of saints relicsImage:Saint Savvas -teaching Nunstomb.jpg|Original burial place of St SavvasImage:Saint Savvas Confessing-entry to cell.jpg|Entry to Saints cellImage:Saint Savvas giving child-room.jpg|Inside the Saints cellImage:Saint Savvas Miracle at seapersonal belongings.jpg|Some personal belongingsImage:Saint Savvas miracle for Bishopwalking stick.jpg|Saints Walking stick</gallery></small>== Video Slideshow ==
<http:/gallery>/youtu.be/O9-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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[[ro:Sava cel Nou]]
