Stefan Uros III Decanski, King
Martyr
Saint Stephen was the eldest son of King Milutin. His earthly life was one of suffering, as was his end. His father, at the behest of his stepmother, sent Stephen to the Pantokrator Monastery in Constantinople and ordered him to be blinded. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to him and assured him that his sight would be restored in due time. Stephen spent five years in asceticism, gaining renown for his wisdom. By his counsel, the emperor exiled the heretic Varlaam. With his sight miraculously restored, he returned to Serbia, where he ruled for ten years. He built the Dečani Monastery, where his incorrupt relics are venerated even by Muslims.
