Stefan Prvovenčani

Crown and cross

Stefan Nemanjić, the second son of Stefan Nemanja, succeeded his father on the throne as grand župan. He was an exceptional diplomat and a wise ruler who skilfully balanced between West and East in turbulent times. His greatest political achievement was raising Serbia to the rank of a kingdom.

In 1217 he received the royal crown from Pope Honorius III and thus became the "First-Crowned" (Prvovenčani) king of Serbia. Only two years later, together with his brother Sava, he secured the autocephaly (independence) of the Serbian Orthodox Church, thereby completing Serbia's state and spiritual sovereignty.

The monk Simon

Towards the end of his life, following his father's example, Stefan took monastic vows and assumed the name Simon. He died in 1227, and his relics rest in Studenica Monastery. He wrote the "Life of Saint Simeon", one of the most important works of Old Serbian literature.