Stefan Nemanja

Stefan Nemanja overthrew his brothers Tihomir, Stracimir, and Miroslav to become the sole Grand

Stefan Nemanja convened a church council that condemned Bogomilism as heresy. He ordered the persecution of Bogomils, confiscating their property and expelling them from Serbia. This action aligned the Serbian church with Orthodox orthodoxy and strengthened state control over religious life.

Stefan Nemanja founded the Studenica Monastery, which became the most important monastic foundation of the Nemanji

Stefan Nemanja abdicated the throne in favor of his son Stefan (later Stefan the First-Crowned) and took monastic vows under the name Simeon. He retired to the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, which he had helped restore. This act set a precedent for Serbian rulers retiring to monastic life.

Stefan Nemanja, as the monk Simeon, was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church shortly after his death. His relics at Studenica were reported to exude myrrh, leading to his veneration as a saint. This canonization elevated the Nemanji