Sava II Branković

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Saint Sava II Branković, also known as Sabbas Brancovici, was born in 1615 in Ineu, Arad County, in western Transylvania, and died on 24 April 1683 in Alba Iulia. He was a priest and church leader of the Romanian Orthodox Church and is venerated as a saint. He was canonized on 21 October 1955, and his feast day is 24 April. He is remembered as the Metropolitan of Transylvania and a confessor of Romania.

Sava came from the Branković family, of Serbian origin. After a difficult early life that included the loss of his father and two brothers to the plague, his mother became a nun and he helped care for his younger brother Đorđe. He was educated at home and then in Orthodox monasteries in Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. His uncle, Metropolitan Longin Korenić Branković, mentored him at Comana Monastery, helping him gain a strong education. He married once, but his wife died soon after, and he took on the responsibility of his family.

In 1656, after a series of events, he was elected Metropolitan of Ardeal (Transylvania) and took the monastic name Sava. He was consecrated on 16 September 1656 by Stephen of Wallachia and moved with his brother Đorđe to Alba Iulia. As a church leader, he defended Orthodoxy against Calvinist missionaries supported by the Transylvanian prince, and he stood up to political and religious pressure from the Calvinists and the Catholic powers around him.

Sava established a printing press in Alba Iulia and published service books, catechisms, and other works for clergy and laypeople. He promoted sermons based on the Early Fathers and used Lives of the Saints as models. He helped publish in several languages, including Romanian and Slavonic-Serbian, and his efforts contributed to the early development of modern Romanian and Serbian languages. He corresponded with other Orthodox leaders and worked to strengthen Orthodox identity in the region.

He faced ongoing conflicts with the ruling authorities. Between 1660 and 1662 he was driven from his see but returned to his duties and continued to lead until 1680, often opposing Prince Michael I Apafi and Calvinist leaders. His brother Đorđe played a diplomatic role, serving at the Ottoman Porte and later taking part in missions to Russia. In 1668 Sava and Đorđe visited Russia to seek help for the Orthodox in Transylvania, meeting Tsar Alexis.

In 1669 Apafi issued decrees that restricted Sava and his flock, and the Calvinist leader Peter Kovásznai accused Sava of opposing their influence. Đorđe was imprisoned for similar reasons, and Sava remained a strong but contested leader. In 1680 Sava was imprisoned at Blaj castle on charges related to alleged plots against the Turks, but he was released after negotiations. He died two and a half years later, in 1683, from injuries suffered during his imprisonment.

Sava II Branković’s life left a lasting religious and cultural impact. He is remembered for defending Orthodoxy, promoting education and printing, and helping lay the groundwork for the Romanian and Serbian literary traditions. He was glorified as a saint by the Romanian Orthodox Church on 21 October 1955.