Lives of the Serbian Saints

tr. Yanich and Hankey, 1921

15. The Life of Saint John, Despot

This holy man and servant of God was the son of Stephen and Angelina. This Stephen was the middle son of the despot, George Brankovich of Smederevo. The misery which fell upon the house of his parents, led John, who was gentle of heart, to follow the life of prayer while he was yet young. Because he was inspired by the great doctrines of the Orthodox Faith he bore all things patiently. He never doubted the faith of his fathers, though some sought to lead him away, nor was he troubled in heart by the constant changes from place to place in strange lands. At last he came with his mother and brother to Kupinovo, in Sirmie, where was the despot Vulk Brankovich, and there he lived some while. When the despot Vulk died the Bulgarians, who ruled the country as far as the river Sava, were not willing that Serbian despots should continue any longer in Sirmie. None the less the title of despot remained in the person of George, the elder brother of John. But when George, who was not married, desired the life of a monk rather than the life in the world, and was made monk with the name of Maxim, the title of despot fell to his younger brother John; and because Sirmie was Serbian country he had some authority that he might rule the soldiers who were given as cavalry to help Vladislav, the Hungarian king.

John, despot, married Helen, daughter of Stephen Yakshich, a kinsman of Dimitri Yakshich, who was the son-in-law of despot Lazar, son of George Brankovich. This wife bore John only one daughter, Maria, who married Ferdinand Frankopan, Count of Croatia, and from this marriage were born Stephan Frankopan and Katherine. Stephen became Zhupan of Modruzia, and Katherine married Nicholas Zrinski, Ban¹ of Croatia.

At this time the Turks made many invasions into Sirmie, so that despot John moved to Berkasovo, a little way from the border. There he lived a life pleasing to God, and died on the tenth day of December in the year 1503. With him ended the dynasty of Serbian despots, for he was the last of his line. His life was full of good works, though it has been handed down that he had few possessions himself. But all that he did proceeded from the goodness of his heart, and the Lord looked upon his good will and manifold deeds, so that His grace appeared upon his relics and made them healing. When Archbishop Maxim died the relics of their father were brought to Krushedol in Sirmie, and there, with the bodies of Maxim and John, they were placed in the church in front of the altar.

Through his prayers, O Lord most merciful, make our way straight, that we may live worthily and render a good account to Thee in the day of the Last Judgment. Amen.

Notes

Ban = governor.