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[[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|St. Sava the New First ever icon of KalymnosSaint Savvas]]Our venerable and God-bearing father One of the newest contemporary saints of the Eastern Orthodox church, Saint '''Sava the NewSavvas of Kalymnos''' (also spelled known as Saint '''Savvasthe New'' or ''Savas'') is the [[patron saint]] of the Greek Island 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 saints [[saint]]s in the Greek Orthodox Church.

He died on [[April 7]], 1947, and his remains were exhumed 10 years later in 1957. The feast feasts dates of St. Sava ''Savvas the New of Kalymnos is '' are celebrated on various dates in different traditions, including [[February April 7]] ([[March 25]] in according to the [[Old Calendar]]), [[April 7]], [[December 5]] with St. 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 , the only child of Constantinos and Smaragda, both devout people who were very poor. Upon his baptism he was [[baptize]]d with given the name of Vasilios. From a young age he had a calling for the holy [[monastic]] life and so he left for [[Mount Athos]] as a teen where he entered [[St. Anne's Skete (Athos)|St. Anne's Skete]]. Along with the usual monastic duties, he learned [[iconography]] and [[Byzantine chant|Byzantine music]].

After As a few years, young boy he traveled to Jerusalem had a calling for a pilgrimage to the holy sites, [[monastic]] life and there he entered the secretly left without his parents knowing for [[monasteryMount Athos]] at the age of twelve where he entered [[St. George HozevitouAnne's Skete (Athos)|St. After a period of being a [[noviceAnne's Skete]]. Along with the monastic duties, this is where he was learned [[tonsureiconography]]d a and [[monkByzantine chant|Byzantine music]] and given the name of Sava.

In 1902, St. Sava was [[ordain]]ed He later traveled to Jerusalem for a [[deaconpilgrim]] and a year later he was ordained age to the holy priesthoodsites. He spent almost 10 arrived in 1887 and entered the [[monastery]] of St. George Hozeva and lived there for seventeen years as a hermit in the desert by the Jordan where he led an austere life and occupied himself with prayer deserted and iconographyrugged cliffs. His dwelling consisted of two cells which After serving for a period as a [[novice]], he reached by ascending up was [[tonsure]]d a rope ladder. This isolation was necessary for successful inner concentration [[monk]] and noetic prayer and he made great spiritual progress theregiven the name ''Savvas''.

Due In 1890, he joined the brotherhood of the [[Abbot]] Kallinikos (from Alatsata of Asia Minor) and in 1902 was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]]. In 1903, a year later, he was ordained to health reasons and the political situation holy priesthood by Archbishop Nikodemos from Diokesaria. He spent almost 10 years in Palestine 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 life unsafegreat 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, StSavvas was forced to leave. Sava He returned to the motherland (Greece ) where he searched for a quiet place to continue his monastic life. He traveled throughout Greece for three years but could not find a suitable place. His prayers were answered when another saint, Ststruggle. Originally he was attracted to the island of [[Nektarios of AeginaPatmos]], had asked St. Sava to come to where he lived for a while in the Holy Trinity Convent in Aegina hermitage of Grava and serve as a priest for nuns. There he would also be able to teach them later at the sacred art [[Monastery of iconography and Byzantine music. St. Sava stayed at John the convent for six yearsTheologian (Patmos, from 1919 until 1925Greece)|Monastery of St. John]]. <ref> This time is verified by an inscription on an icon painted by St. Savvas himself at the Convent was one monastery: "In the month of the most significant events December in the saint's life due to his association with St. Nektarios who 1914 this icon was at painted by the height hand of his spiritual development. St. Sava had the opportunity to confess and receive counsel from St. Nektarios. The two had iconographer, hieromonk Savvas the highest esteem for each other and each considered the other a saintHosevite. " </ref>

As He later traveled for three years, throughout Greece, looking for a matter suitable place to stay. He visited Mount Athos, then the Monastery of factPhaneromenis, then Salamina and finally the island of Hydra, but in 1919 he was invited to stay at the island of Aegina by St. Sava painted the first [[icon]] Nektarios of St. Aegina|Nektarios: One day St. Sava asked the [[abbess]] not , to let anyone disturb him serve as a priest at the Convent of the Holy Trinity, and stayed for forty days, during which he remained confined to his cellsix years at this convent (from 1919 until 1925). After 40 days, There he came out taught the nuns the holy art of his cell holding an icon iconography and Byzantine music. This period was one of St. Nektarios. He handed it to the abbess and asked her most significant events in his biography due to place it in the church for veneration. The abbess was surprised since his friendship with St. Nektarios had not been [[glorification|glorified]] ("canonized") as a saint yet, and she who was afraid that at the convent would get into troubleheight of his spiritual development at this time. Although St Savvas had the opportunity to confess and receive counsel from the saint was always meek and humble, he insisted, and told her the two held each other in highest esteem and regarded each other a commanding manner: "You must show obediencesaint. Take the icon They were spiritual brothers and place it on the [[iconostasis|icon stand]], and do not scrutinize the will of God." He knew the holiness and purity best of St. Nektariosfriends.

After St Savvas, the clergyman who conducted the funeral service for Saint Nektarios, also painted the first [[icon]] of the saint.:''One day St. Nektarios Savvas asked the [[abbess]] not to let anyone disturb him for forty days, during which he remained confined to his cell in which the nuns could hear constant conversation (between the living saint and the reposedsaint). After 40 days, more and more pilgrims would come he came out of his cell holding an icon of the saint. He handed it to the convent due abbess and asked her to place it in the growing reputation of Stchurch for veneration. The abbess was surprised since Nektarios had not been formerly [[glorification|glorified]] ("canonized") as a miracle-worker. This disrupted saint, and was afraid that the quiet life that Stconvent would get into trouble. Sava lovedAlthough Savvas was always meek and humble, he insisted, and so he departed told her in a commanding manner: "You must show obedience. Take the icon and place it on the convent in 1925[[iconostasis|icon stand]], again for a quieter lifeand do not scrutinize the will of God." He knew the holiness and purity of St. Nektarios.''

St. Sava During the forty days he spent locked in the last years of his life as room where St Nektarios's tomb was, the priest nuns could hear two voices having conversations, and spiritual father at believed the Convent second voice was that of All Saints on the island of Kalymnos. As a [[confessor]]recently departed St Nektarios, he combined leniency with severity. He was lenient on certain sins and severe to others. He remained an ardent spiritual striver until so the end of life and practiced extreme forms of self-restraint with regard to food, drink, and sleep. St. Sava became a shining example of virtue to all who came into contact with him. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in his presence living and some even saw him rising above the ground as he stood at prayerdead were having discussions.

Towards Soon after the end repose of his life, St. Sava was in a state Nektarios, the number 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 pilgrims to 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!" convent increased rapidly He went due to the Lord in 1948 on the eve of the [[feast]] of the [[Annunciation]]. One nun saw the soul growing reputation of the saint ascending in as a golden cloud towards heavenmiracle-worker. After about 10 years when This greatly disrupted the quiet life that Saint Savvas loved, and with the saint's grave was opened in accordance to encouragement of the Greek Orthodox custominfluential wealthy Kalymnian Gerasimos Zervos<ref> Gerasimos Zervos, a heavenly fragrance emanated from the grave and this was witnessed by manyhusband of Anna, who later became Sister Monica, including the local [[bishop]]. This was a testament who also went to the sanctity of the saintKalymnos. Numerous [[miracle]]s </ref>, he departed in 1925 and healings have since been attributed went to St. Sava the New island of Kalymnos.

There, he spent the last years of his life as the priest and spiritual father at the Convent of All Saints. As a [[Image:St-Savas-confessor]], he combined leniency with severity. He was lenient on certain sins and severe to others. For him blasphemy against God and His saints was one of the greatest sins. He remained an ardent spiritual striver until theend of life and practiced extreme forms of self-Newrestraint with regard to food, drink, and sleep.jpg|frame|center| St. Sava Savvas became a shining example of virtue to all who came into contact with him. Many smelled a heavenly fragrance in his presence and some even saw him rising above the New of Kalymnos]]ground as he stood at prayer.

Towards 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, requesting 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," 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 vesperal feast for the Annunciation. Thus, he died on [[April 7]]], 1947 (which was March 25 for the Old Calendar, the eve of the [[feast]] of the [[Annunciation]]. Upon closing his eyes, one of the nuns saw the soul of 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 Kalymnos, this phenomenon was witnessed by many, including the local [[bishop]] who upsettingly and initially refused to grant permission to the nuns to exhume his relics (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 water deposit (''Apolytikion'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 whole body incorrupt and intact apart from a small section on his skull where a patch of his skin deteriorated because of the water leaking on him&mdash;as the saint 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.

Let us faithful praise Holy Savas, == Icons of the Saint's Life ==<small><gallery>Image:St Nectarios- Kimisi-close-up.jpg|Saint Savvas was the glory and protector of Kalymnos,only clergyman to officiate at Saint Nectarios' funeral.and peer Image:St_Savvas_of_Kalymnos-with_Icon6X4.jpg|Icon of the Holy Ascetics Saint holding the first icon of old; Saint Nectarios.for he has been glorified resplendently as 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 servant great teacher of ChristOrthodoxy. 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 requiredImage: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 gift mention of working miracleshis name.Image:Saint Savvas miracle for Bishop.jpg|Here Saint Savvas cures monk Panteliemon Lambadarios (currently a bishop in Alexandria) of cancer, and he bestows upon all God's grace and mercya 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>

Today ==Hymns==[[Apolytikion]]:Let us faithful praise Holy Savas, the island glory and protector of Kalymnos,:and peer of the Kalymnians celebrates your holy memory with a rejoicing heartHoly [[Ascetic]]s of old;:for it possesses as truly God-given wealth, your sacred body that he has been glorified by Godresplendently as a servant of [[Christ]],O Father Savas:with the gift of working miracles, approaching which they receive health of both soul :and he bestows upon all God's grace and bodymercy.

'''[[Megalynarion''']]:Rejoice, thou new star of the Church, :the offspring of Thrace and the beauty of Kalymnos,:O God-inspired Savas, fellow citizen of [[angel]]s and equal of all the saints.

Rejoice thou new star of the Church==Sources==*''Αγιος Σάββας ο Νέος'', the offspring of Thrace revised and the beauty of Kalymnos,O God-inspired written by Fr SavasPizanias JP (BTh, fellow citizens of angels BEd) with the use and equal reference of all the saintsSt Savvas' original biography, Papanikolaou Eds. 1993. ==Source==*''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 and icons courtesy of Fr Savas Pizanias and Constantine Vellis Cutie-Pie Photo Studio - NSW Australia contact - sales@cutiepiephoto.com.au*[http://www.stsavvaskalymnos.org St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church and Community - Syndey]

*[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 (19481947) (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]*[http://youtu.be/O9-faBf4ag4 Saint Savvas of Kalymnos - Ἁγιος Σἀββας ο εν Καλὐμνου] video slideshow