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Saint Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Simeon the Myrrh-flowing''', in the world '''Stefan Nemanja''', (in Serbian: '''in serbian Преподобни Симеон Мироточиви''') was serbian a Serbian ruler, [[monk ]], and [[saint from 12 ]] in the 12th century. He is the father of St. [[Sava of Serbia]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[February 13]].

He was born in 1113 or 1114 in town of Ribnica ( today Podgorica, Montenegro). His father Zavida, a member of ruling dinasty dynasty of Raška (the most importnant important state of the Serbs), was exiled in principality of Duklja, a minor Serbian state. Nemanja was baptised [[baptism|baptized]] by a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman catholic Catholic]] [[priest ]] because ther there was no present any orthodox Orthodox priest in Ribnica. When Zavid come came back in Raška, his youngest son was re-baptised baptized by the [[bishop ]] of Ras Kalink.

== Vasal Vassal prince ==In 1163 the grand prince of Raška Desa, Nemanja' s kinsman was replaced by Nemanja's eldest brother , Stefan Tihomir. This took aplace place by wil the will of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (1143-1180).Tihomir's brotherc became minor princes. Nemanja was prince in counties of Ibar, Toplica, Rasina and Reke. Later Emperor granted him conty of Dubočica and and imperial rank (sometimes misintranslated as imperial dream). Nemanja several years before personaly met powerfool Emperor. Some Historians sugestind that Nemanja's wife Ana, later saint Anastasia, was Byzantine noblewoman. This could explained Emperors's sympathy for him.Nemanja was popular amog the people because he was good ruler and was pious man. He soon built two monasteries: Monastery of Holy Mother of Godon on the rivers Kosanica and Toplica and Monastery of Saint Nicholas- Kuršumlija.His brothers called him to concil and imprisoned him and had him in a nearby cave. Saint George freed Nemanja from the cave. Nemanja soon with support of people, nobility ant the Curch deposed Tihomir and bocome grand prince 1166.

== Regin ==NemanjaTihomir's brothers raised became minor princes. Nemanja was a mercenary armyprince in counties of Ibar, Toplica, Rasina, and Reke. Later, made up the emperor granted him the county of Turks, Francs Dubočica and Greeksimperial rank (sometimes mistranslated as imperial dream). Nemanja defeated them in Battle of Pantin, near Zvečan 1168several years before, personaly met the powerful emperor. Tihomir drowned himself in river Sitnica and Some historians suggest that Nemanja captured two other brothers Stefan Miroslav and Stefan Stratimir's wife Ana, later Saint Anastasia, was a Byzantine noblewoman. He reconciliated with them and thez was given back their principalitiesThis could explain the emperor's sympathy for him.

Nemanja was popular among the people because he was a good ruler and a pious man. He soon built two [[monastery |monasteries]]: the Monastery of sint George near his caputal Ras. This monastery is later known as Đurđevi Stupovi. He tried to gained full independence from Byzantine Empire 1172Holy Mother of Godon on the rivers Kosanica and Toplica, but he failed he was defeated and surendered himself to Emperorthe Monastery of Saint Nicholas-Kuršumlija. He came His brothers called him to Manuel with his head council and feet bare imprisoned him and gave held him his own sword as mark of surenderin a nearby cave. He wowed that he will remain lozal to EmperorSaint George freed Nemanja from the cave. Manule brougt him Nemanja soon, with him support of the people, nobility, and the Church, deposed Tihomir and presented him became the grand prince in Imperial triumph1166.

== Reign ==Nemanja remained loyal to Manuel until Manuel's deathbrothers raised a mercenary army, made up of Turks, Franks, and Greeks. He used next several years to deal with dangerous Bogumil heresy and to strength orthodox faith Nemanja defeated them in people. After death the Battle of Manuel Nemanja gained independence and conquered Duklja principalityPantin, Korčulanear Zvečan, Vis, Niš, Svrljig, Koželj, Ravno, Prizrenin 1168. Tihomir drowned himself in the river Sitnica, and SkopljeNemanja captured two other brothers: Stefan Miroslav and Stefan Stratimir. All this teritories was dominatly Serbian populated.he met holy roman emperor Friedrich I the Barbarosa 1189, in NišHe reconciled with them and they were given back their principalities.

Nemanja finished his magnificent endownment Monastery of Holy Virgin built the Benefactor- Studenica Monastery on the river Studenica 1190. Monastery church is built out of white marble and wasSaint George near his capital Ras. This monastery is hoorified was later known as mother of all serbian churchesĐurđevi Stupovi.Nemanja also introduced Orthodox Christianity He tried to gain full independence from the Byzantine Empire in Duklja1172, but failed; he was defeated and surrendered himself to the emperor. Soon Duklja becam He came to Manuel with his head and feet bare and gave him his own sword as much as Raška dominantly Orthodoxmark of surrender. He vowed that he would remain loyal to the emperor. Manuel brought him with him and presented him in imperial triumph.

Nemanja remained loyal to Manuel until Manuel's death. He used the next several years to deal with dangerous Bogumil [[heresy]] and to strengthen Orthodox faith in people. After death of Manuel, Nemanja gained independence and conquered the Duklja principality, Korčula, Vis, Niš, Svrljig, Koželj, Ravno, Prizren, and Skoplje. All these teritories were predominantly Serbian-populated.He met the Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich I the Barbarosa in 1189, in Niš. Nemanja finished his magnificent endowment of the Monastery of the Holy Virgin the Benefactor-Studenica Monastery on the river Studenica in 1190. The monastery church is built out of white marble. This monastery is honored as the mother of all Serbian churches. Nemanja also introduced Orthodox Christianity into Duklja. Soon Duklja became, as much as Raška, predominantly Orthodox. New Emperor Isaac II Angelos 1190, Raised raised a large army against the Serbs and defeated them in the battle of Ravno. Soon a peace treaty was signed and Nemanja Gained gained independence , but Byzantines the Byzantine Empire was given back Niš, Ravno i , and Skoplje. Nemanja's second son and heir Stefan, future serbian Serbian king (later Saint Simon the Monk), married Emperorthe emperor's niece Eudoxia and received the title of ''Sebastokrator '', second higest highest after Emperor.

Stefan's father-in-law Alexius became emperor as Alexius III Angelos (1195-1202).Nemanja called a State Concile(Serbian: Државни Сабор) on [[March 25]], 1195. He abdicated in favour of Stefan. ==External link==* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100514 Venerable Stephen (In Monasticism Simeon), the Myrrhgusher and Prince of Serbia] ([[OCA]]) [[Category:Saints]][[Category:Serbian Saints]]