ABSTRACT
During the medieval period Serbia was in closer relation with Mount Athos than any other Slavic country. The Nemanja dynasty, under whose rule Serbia experienced the most brilliant period of her medieval history, was directly and intimately connected with the Holy Mountain. The founder of the dynasty, Stephen Nemanja, abdicated his throne, assumed the monastic habit and the name of Symeon, and retired to Mount Athos, where he joined his son, the celebrated Saint Sava of the Serbian Church. Of all the Nemanja rulers it was, however, Stephen Uros IV, known as Dusan (1331-1355), who displayed the most liberality toward the Athonite monasteries. This policy of Stephen Dusan was dictated not only by the strong ties which existed between the Nemanjas and Mount Athos (which he continued to support), but also by his desire to win the support of the Greek clergy.
