The Foundation's Name

The Foundation bears the esteemed name of Studenica in honor of the illustrious monastery in Serbia. The Monastery has blessed and granted special permission to our Foundation to use the name of the Monastery as well as its unique Studenica Cross. The Studenica Monastery’s picture (see display) shows the Church of the Blessed Virgin, which, completed in the early 1190s, forms an integral part of the splendid Studenica monastery complex.

The origins of the monastery date to St. Sava’s father, the Grand Duke Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty and ruler of the Serbian lands. During one of his hunts in 1180, he chanced upon “this deserted spot which pleased him” and seemed a most appropriate site “for building a monastery to pursue a life of peace and promote the growth of a monastic community.” After the completion of Studenica, in the spring of 1196, Nemanja abdicated his secular authority and, retiring from the worldly life, entered the monastery. For the Grand Duke, the pursuit of the monastic way of life meant the fulfillment of an even greater obligation placed on man than that of earthy rule.

Architecturally, Studenica represents the successful synthesis of west and east, of the Romanesque and Byzantine styles. The interior too, resplendent with a series of thirteenth–century frescoes that depict biblical themes, reflects the skillful blending of western and eastern elements.

Nestled in the tranquil Serbian countryside, the Studenica Monastery is only a day’s drive from Belgrade and is open to the public all year round.