From whichever direction you approach the capital of Serbia, there’s one edifice you won’t be able to miss. Every day, its grandiose bell towers with almost 50 bells announce noon. Its walls bring tens of thousands of believers together and its magnificent appearance and sacred spirit protect the sky above Serbia’s capital. We’re proud to introduce you to the Church of Saint Sava – the pillar of Serbian faith.

It is located on the Vračar plateau, on the eastern part of the Svetosavski Trg square in Belgrade which is believed to be the location where the remains of Saint Sava were burned in 1595 by Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha in order to break the Serbian spirit.

The Church of Saint Sava is the not only the largest Serbian Orthodox church, it is the largest Orthodox place of worship in the Balkans and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.

A true display of grandeur and Christian splendour

Holding a dominant position in the cityscape of the Serbian capital, the church of Saint Sava is perhaps the most monumental edifice in Belgrade. It is visible from any approach to the city.

St. Sava Church panorama
Belgrade cityscape

The following facts only bear witness to the sheer magnitude of the Temple:

Its total height reaches an astounding 82 m with the dome being 70 m high and the main gold plated cross giving it an additional 12 m height.

The central dome is 4,000 ton heavy and its lifting was the greatest achievement of the construction process. The lifting itself took 40 days.

There are more than 49 bells in the bell towers and over 18 gold plated crosses on the its domes.

The Church of Saint Sava Belgrade
Photo: www.srbijadanas.com

With a surface of 3,500 m2 on the ground floor, the Temple can receive an amazing 10,000 people at any time. It also has four galleries of 1720 m2 on the first and second floor.

Upon its completion, the interior will be decorated with a multitude of mosaics. The central dome will be adorn with a monumental mosaic of Christ Pantocrator.

The outside is nothing less impressive as the Temple’s surface is covered with white marble and granite, which add to its appearance of a beautiful beacon of faith. However, it’s magnificence is not in its size, but in what it represents to the Serbian people.

A beacon of faith, spirituality, culture and freedom

Today, the Temple of Saint Sava holds a special place in the hearts of Belgraders. It is a gathering spot, a safe refuge and an important place of support for all those in need. In between its walls the residents of Serbia’s capital share their joy and their sorrow, and celebrating important holidays in front of it has become a tradition a long time ago.

Church of Saint Sava Christmas Eve
Photo: www.srbijadanas.com

One of the largest gatherings in front of the Temple is that on Christmas Eve. Thousands of believers gather around a huge open-air hearth where the badnjak is set on fire. That is how the midnight liturgy and Christmas are celebrated each year with an air tremendous joy and excitement. Another spectacular event is the Orthodox New Year celebration when Serbs welcome the new year with phenomenal fireworks, music, dancing and laughter.

Serbian New Year
Photo: Vladimir Parežanović

To suppress the Serbs and their thirst for freedom, the Turkish Vizier Sinan Pasha ordered that the sarcophagus and relics of Saint Sava be brought by military convoy from the Mileševa monastery to Belgrade. When they reached Belgrade, the relics were publicly incinerated by the Ottomans on a pyre on the Vračar plateau on May 10, 1594.

Seven meters below the Church of Saint Sava there is the Church of Saint Lazar, which has underfloor heating, a special ventilation heating and state of the art video and audio equipment. Upon its completion its walls will be adorn with paintings, frescoes and it will host cultural manifestations, choir competitions, Christian music concerts and exhibitions.

The crypt of the Saint Sava Church
The crypt of the Saint Sava Church

This is why, not only for its sheer magnitude but because of its enormous importance in Serbian history and because it being a symbol of faith and freedom, the Church Saint Sava represents an extraordinary place of worship for Serbia and its proud people.

Church of Saint Sava at night
Photo: Ognjen Golubović

 

Featured photo: www.srbijadanas.com

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BelgradeChristianityFaithLargest church in the BalkansMonumentOrthodoxySerbiaThe Church of Saint SavaVračar

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