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24 x 30 cm
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Saint King Stefan of Decan
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Saint Stephen of Dečani, born as Stefan Uroš III, was a martyr king of Serbia, whose figure shines as an example of superhuman patience, unwavering faith, and Christian forgiveness. His life was a succession of severe trials, from his youth to his very last breath.
As a young boy, he was sent as a hostage to the Tatars, but the most terrible ordeal came from his own closest relative: his father, King Milutin. Misled by false rumors of a potential rebellion, his father ordered Stephen to be blinded. According to saintly tradition, at the very moment of blinding, St. Nicholas appeared to Stephen in a dream, showing him his eyes in his palm and saying: "Fear not, your eyes are with me, and I will return them to you when the time comes".
Exiled and blind, Stephen lived for five years in banishment in Constantinople, at the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator. There, he amazed the monks and residents with his humility, fasting, and unceasing prayers. After five years, St. Nicholas appeared to him again and, making a sign of the cross over his eyes, miraculously restored his sight.
Upon his father's death, Stephen returned to his homeland and was crowned king, proclaiming the miracle of his healing. His reign was marked by wisdom, justice, and charity towards the poor. As a sign of gratitude to God for the return of his sight, he began the construction of the Dečani Monastery, a jewel of Byzantine-Romanesque architecture, which remains to this day one of the most important spiritual monuments. From this magnificent temple, he also received the name by which he is eternally known: Stephen of Dečani.
Despite the sufferings he himself endured, history was repeated tragically in his old age. His son, Stefan Dušan, urged on by the nobles, rose against his father and imprisoned him. In the year 1331, St. Stephen of Dečani met his death, strangled by his son's men, thus receiving, after a life of much tribulation, a second crown: that of martyrdom.
He is venerated as a great saint by the Orthodox Church, remembered as the king who, though blinded by men, never lost his spiritual sight towards God.
St. Stephen of Dečani is celebrated on November 24 according to the New Calendar (which corresponds to November 11 according to the Old Calendar).
