Eustatius I of Pec

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Our father among the saints Jevstatije (also Eustathius, Eustace or Eustatius) I of Pec (Serbian: Свети Јевстатије архиепископ српски) was the archbishop of Serbia from 1279 to 1286. His feast day is January 4. The Church also remembers him on August 30 with The Synaxis of Serbian Hierarchs, a celebration of the archpastors of the Serbian Church of the thirteenth - fourteenth centuries.

Life

He was born into a noble family in Budimlje county. As a youth he joined the Holy Archangel Michael Monastery, which was the residence of the bishop of Zeta. In this monastery Eustace studied theology and canon law. He was tonsured and ordained by Bishop Neofit of Zeta. Seeking a more ascetic life, Eustace left the Holy Archangel Michael Monastery for Mount Athos. There he spent many years in Hilandar Monastery and was elected igumen in 1262. In 1265, Igumen Eustace was elected bishop of Zeta.

Eustace was elected archbishop of Serbia in June 1279 and ruled the Church of Serbia for seven years. He died on January 4, 1286. He was later glorified, leaving behind his incorrupt relics.

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Succession box:
Eustatius I of Pec
Preceded by:
Neofit
Bishop of Zeta
1265-1279
Succeeded by:
?
Preceded by:
St. Joanikije I
Archhbishop of Serbia
1279-1286
Succeeded by:
St. Jakov
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