St Ephraim, Patriarch of Serbia (+1400)

Saint Ephraim, Patriarch of Serbia. Saint Ephraim began his monastic labours on Mount Athos, and later he was chosen abbot of the monastery of Ibrovo in Serbia. In 1376 Saint Ephraim was appointed successor to the late Patriarch of Serbia, Sabbas III. The newly elected patriarch found the honour of chief shepherd heavy; his heart still longed for quiet labour. Of his own will he left the patriarchal see and moved to the monastery of Dušanovo to labour. Ten years later Saint Ephraim again took the headship of the Serbian Church, and governed it wisely until his death in 1400. Saint Ephraim died at the age of eighty-eight. His body was buried in the cathedral church.