St. Angelina, despotina of Serbia (16th c.)
Commemorated on July 1, December 10
The
life of the Serbian ruler Stefan Brankovich and his family was filled with
instability and misfortune. After Serbia was seized in 1457 by the Turks, the
then Serbian ruler's middle son, Stefan, distinguished by meek disposition and
fine knowledge of Holy Scripture, set out to the capital of Turkey after his
sister, who had been given to sultan Murat in marriage. But learning however,
that the Turks with fanatic cruelty had burned the Mileshevsk monastery,
Blessed Stefan rose up in defense of Serbia from oppression. When he married
Angelina, the daughter of the prince of Albania, the Turks threatened Blessed
Stefan and his family with punishment. With his wife and three children he was
forced to hide first in Albania, and then in Italy, where later he died.
Blessed Angelina
transferred the undecayed remains of her spouse to Kupinovo. At the end of the
XV Century a son of Righteous Stefan and Angelina, Blessed John, became ruler
of Serbia. The undecayed relics of Righteous John and his parents were
afterwards glorified by many miracles.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
