Saint
Savva
Venerable Savva, Igoumen of Zvenigorod, Disciple of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
New Calendar December 3 Old Calendar December 16
Why they are a saint
Saint Savva of Zvenigorod forsook the world in his early youth, and received the monastic tonsure from Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5), and was his disciple and fellow-ascetic. The Orthodox Church commemorates Savva on December 3.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Savva as a patron when they bear the name Savva at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 3. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Savva, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.