Born in the small village of Mutalaska in Cappadocia, to father John and mother Sophia. At the age of 8, he became a monk in the nearby Flavian Monastery. After 10 years, he moved to the Palestinian monasteries. Saint Euthymius prophesied to him that he would be a famous monk and that he would found a lavra greater than any of those of that time. When Saint Euthymius reposed, Sava went to a cave where he asceticized for 5 years. Then monks and novices began to gather around him, so he began to build a church and cells. After his father's repose, his mother also came and tonsured him a monk. He founded a total of 7 monasteries. He and Theodosius the Great were considered pillars of Orthodoxy in the East. Saint Sava reposed in the Lord in 532, at the age of 94.

Venerable Martyrs of Karea. Venerable Nectarius of Bitola. Venerable Karion and Zacharias. Holy New Martyr Stanko of Ostrog. Christmas Fast.