Jefimija of Devič

Saint Jefimija of Devič, known among the people as Blessed Stojna Zarić, was a nun and fool for Christ at the Devič Monastery in Kosovo. She was born in 1815 at Donje Lopiže, near Sjenica, in a respected priestly family. In her youth she was known for her meekness and obedience and did ordinary village work, including tending sheep.

At twenty she felt the call and came to the Devič Monastery, built around the tomb of Saint Joanicia of Devič, where she received the name Jefimija. She led a very strict ascetic struggle: she lived on bread and water, slept little and uncomfortably, and spent hours in prayer with tears, on her knees, while also caring for the monastery and for the tomb of Saint Joanicia. What set her apart was holy foolishness. Unlearned in worldly matters, she nevertheless had a deep spiritual wisdom. She travelled around the region to gather aid for the monastery and used the opportunity to teach people the faith. She called openly to repentance, and so she was nicknamed "Repentance". She was revered equally by Christians and Muslims.

According to tradition she knew the hour of her death and reposed in the Lord on 15 February 1895, at Novi Pazar. Her relics were buried in front of the church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Ras. Her veneration was strengthened after the faithful testified to a burning light seen for years above her tomb. Her first life was written by Saint Nicholai Velimirović. The Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church numbered her among the saints in May 2026 and appointed her commemoration for 15 February, old style (28 February, new style).