The Order of St. Sava was a decoration of the Kingdom of Serbia established by Milan I on 23 January 1883. The Order of Saint Sava was established originally to recognize civilians for meritorious achievements to the Church, to arts and sciences, the royal house and the state. In 1914 a change was made permitting military personnel to receive the honor for military merit. The Order of St Sava was then awarded by the king of Yugoslavia until the abolishment of the monarchy in 1945.