Maps of Power

Petković 1950

Description

Vladimir R. Petković, Pregled crkvenih spomenika kroz povesnicu srpskog naroda (Srpska Akademija Nauka, Posebna Izdanja, Knjiga 157, Odeljenje društvenih nauka, Nova Serija, Knjiga 4, Beograd 1950).

Relations

Actors (70)
Name Class Begin End Relation Type Description
(Paskačić) Vladko Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan concerning the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača from 1354/1355 and in the inscription accompanying his painted portrait in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The portrait of Vlatko was painted probably between 1365 and 1371. He appears as prěvьzljubljenʼny i pravověrnii vlastelinь carstva mi in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. The inscription describes him as sevastokratorь vse srьpьske zemlie vladko. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan gave in 1354/1355 permission to his nobleman Vladko (Paskačić) to donate the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača, which Vladko erected on the inherited property of his father Paskačь, together with the appertaining metochion to the Hilandar Monastery (I vьspomenu carstvu mi prěvьzljubljenʼny i pravověrnii vlastelinь carstva mi Vladko ō crьkvy svetago Nikoly jaže jestь sьzdalь na svoōi baštině Pʼsači a sь blagoslovljenijemь carstva mi...i poljubi prěd carstvomʼ mi i priloži svoju baštinu crьkvь svetago Nikoli na Psači prěsvetěi Bogorodici hilandarьskoi sь vsěmь metehōmь). The painted portrait of Vladko is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The fresco displays him with his whole family. The representation of Vladko and his father Paskać, who are hoisting the model of the church to the icon of Saint Nicholas, can be described as an act of the joint ktetorship.
(Vlatković) Ugl(j)eša Person It is estimated that he was born around 1359. His last appeareance in the source is in 1423. He held the title of kesarь (kesarь Ugleša gospodarь Serblemь i Podunaju i vsěhь zapadnihь stranь). He was the son of Vladko (synь sevastokratōrovь Ugleša) and Vladislava. His son Stěfanь was buried in the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Ljubostinja. An inscription in the naos of the church, which was made between 1402 and 1405, is commemorating his son Stěfanь (A se leži Stěfanь kesara Ugleše). It is likely that the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. bestowed upon him the title of kesarь. Ugl(j)e)ša was apperently in a subordinate position to Konstantin Dragaš before 1395. After 1395 he became a vasall of the Ottoman sultan. Miloš Blagojević believes that Ugl(j)eša participated in the battle of Ankara in 1402. His role in the battle of Gračanica is described by Konstantin Kostenečki, who wrote the biography of the Despot Stefan Lazarević. He left the Ottomans in the beginning of the battle and defected to the army of Stefan Lazarević. On the side of despot he reconquested the region of Vranje, Inogošt and Preševo, which he inherited from his father (Běše že togda i kesarь Ugleša sь ismaility i tь mnogo služenije sьtvori sь sьlanijemь kь blagočьstivomu izь sihь sьvěty i kovy vьzvěštaje, taže po malě i samь priběgь podь krilě despotu Stefanu i zemlju svoju otьčьskuju Vranju i Inogoštu i Prěševo prějetь i udrьža). He fought in 1410 together with Stefan Lazarević in the battle of Kosmidion, where the Ottoman Prince Musa was defeated. The Byzantines escorted the army of Stefan Lazarević and Ugl(j)eša on their ships back to their homeland via Wallachia. His domains were attacked by the force of Musa in 1412. Musa plundered Vranje and endangered Novo Brdo. He donated in 1423 the Church of Saint Nicholas in Vranja with the village Vranje, all rights, boundaries, watermills, fields and meadows, the church of Saint Nicholas in Lučani with all rights and boundaries and the village Trnovac with all boundaries and rights to the Hilandar Monastery (blagověrni kjesarь Uglješa, imeja želanije i usrьdije i ljubovь kь prěčistyje vladyčice našei Bogomateri iže vь Svetěi Gorě Athona, carskije ōbiteli, domu prěčistyje vladyčice naše Bogorodice velikyje lavri Hiladara, dahь bo i prьvo crьkvu Svetago Nikolu u Vraniju tako i selomь Vranemь sь vsě pravinami sela togo, sь vsemi megjami i vodenicami, i s’ nivami i s livadami, i iněmь sь vsěmь. I crьkvu u Lučanehь Svetago Nikolu sь vsěmi pravinami i megjami sela togo. I selo Trьnovcь, sь vsěmi sinori i megjami i pravinami sela togo). The painted portrait of Ugl(j)eša as a child is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. He is depicted in the front of his grandparents Paskačь and Ozra.
(Čihorić [Drugović]) Dabiživь Person He was a member of the noble family of Čihorić in Trebinje. He had three brothers (župan Vratko, župan Nenac and tepčija Stepko). He served as a sluga for the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan 1334–1345. He was the Cupbearer (enohijarь) of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V in 1362. Dabiseus Drugouich bought in 1334 at Brskovo a horse from the inhabitant of Ragusa Miloš Hlapović for 30 perper. He came in 1343 to the župa Žrnovnica with Marcus Maurocenus in order to see the property of Sorento from Ragusa, which was near the boundary between the realm of the Serbian Kingdom and the Republic of Ragusa (ad uidendum confines Rusci de Sorento cum Dabiseo sluga). His name appears from 1343 to 1345 in the Liber omnium reformationum. According to it did the people of him cause frequently harm to the Ragusians in the župa Žrnovnica. The emissaries of the Republic of Ragusa complained before the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in October 1345 that Dabiživь established a fair in Trebinje and imposed a tax for the goods exported and imported by the Ragusans. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan accepted the complaints of the Ragusans and forbade Dabiživь to collect any taxes from the Ragusans (Piše kraljevstvo mi da jestь bědomo vsakomu, kako pridōše poklisarie, vlasteli dubrovьčьci, kraljevstvu mi pod Serь – Piro Grubešikь Marьtolь Črěvikь i Paske Gučetikь – i govoriše kraljevstvu mi na slugu Dabiživa, kako e učinilь trьgь na Trěbini i uzima ōd tovara dinarь kto grede i u Dubrovьnikь izь Dubrovnika, i ōd dobitka koi grede u Dubrov’nikь. i govorěe Dabiživь prědь kraljevstvomь mi: „uzimano e i prěžde, ōnazi carina ōnьdězii.“ A govorěke poklisarie dubrovьč’ci: „Tazi carina ne uzimana ōd veka, ōdkole světь stalь.“ I kraljevstvo mi iz’nage erě ne uzimana tazi carina i u moihь dědь i pradědь i u rodietelja kraljevstva mi i u kraljevstva mi. I sьtvori milostь kraljevstvo mi vsemь vlastelomь dubrovьč’cimь, vělimь i malimь, da ne ōnogazi trьga na Trěbini, kagō ga i prěžde ne bilo. I po sema sega da ne uzima Dabiživь Dubrovьčanomь ni carine da ni koega dohodьka, ni trьgov’cu dubrovьč’komu, ni vlahu, ni srьbinu, da nikōmu i k’to grede Dubrovьnikь, izь Dubrovьnika. I vsaci vlasteli koi te stagati po Dabiživě da ne uzima carine tezi do veka věk, ni u syna kraljevstva mi da ni u koga nastoeštago kralja u Srьblihь). In October 1349 he received together 10 perper from the Ragusans (In minori consilio, sono campane solito congregatio, captum fuit et firmatum de donando de havere communis Dabisco yppos X). He was probably buried in the Monastery Church of the Holy Mother of God at Treskavec near Prilep. His tombstone with an inscription has been preserved on the northern wall of the monastery church (měseca genara: uspe rabь božiei dabiživь: enohijarь: cara uroša: vьse srьbьskyi zemьle: grьčьskje: i pomorьskje vь leto: ѕ: ō: o: enьdikta).
Agapitь Person Mentioned in the charter of veliki sluga Jovan Oliver in favour of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane. He was a protopopь.He composed between 1332 and 1341 the charter of Jovan Oliver, the veliki sluga of the Serbian lands and Pomorje, concerning the deserted settlement site Jastrebnica, which was reinhabited by Todor, who was in service of Jovan Oliver (protopopa Agapitь pisa).
Amerales Person Mentioned in the dedicatory inscription found on the western wall of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad from 1368–1369. He appears as a ὁ πανευγενέστατος Ἀμηράλις ὑιος αὐτοῦ in the inscription next to his portrait. He was the son of the kaisar Nobakos and Kale. His sister was Maria. His father kaisar Nobakos sponsored the renovation and decoration of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad in the year 1368–1369 (Άνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρου καὶ κόπού καὶ μόχθοῦ ὁ θεϊος κὲ πάνσεπτος ναώς ουτος της υπεραγίας δεσπίνης ἡμων Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀνηστορίθην παρὰ του αὐφθέντου αὐτοῦ πὰνευτυχεστάτου κέσαρος Νοβάκου ἠγουμενέβῶντὸς δὲ Ἰωνὰ μοναχοῦ. Αὐφθεντεύβοντος πανυψηλοτάτου κραλήου τοῦ Βεληκασίνου. Άρχαηερατεύωντος δὲ τῆς ἀγιωτάτης ἀρχιεπησκοπῆς τῆς Πρότης Ἰουστινηανης, ετους ͵ςωοζʹ). The family portrait of Nobakos has been preserved on the western external façade. He and his sister are painted to the left of the virgin, who is the central figure of the ktitorial composition. He is portrayed as a small boy.
Ana Person Svetislav Mandić proposes, that Ana could be identical with Ana, the wife of Despot Mihael, who was the son of the Bulgarian Tsar Mihail III Šišman. Mentioned in the founding inscription from the years 1314/1315 in the Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište. She was the daughter of Jovanь Dragoslavь and Jelena. Her brother was Staniša. In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Boichnas Person It it doubtful, that he is the same person as „lo jupan Voichna“, who appears in the charter of Vladislav, the son of the former Serbian King Dragutin, adressed to Ragusan authorities from the 25th October 1323. The confirmed terminus ante quem of his decease is September 1370/August 1371 (Prišьdšu že mi vь hramě prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilan’darě, i viděvь grobь gospodina mi i roditelja svetopočiv’šega kesara). It is possible that he was already death in 1369, because the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa) approved in this year the donation of the Church of the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel above Gabrovo granted by Kaisar Boichnas (Voihna) for the monk and spiritual father Daniil (Kako pride kь carьstvu mi čьstni starьcь duhovьnikь kyrь Daniil…Mihaila i Gabrila više Gabrova, i prinese mi zapisanie gospodina….roditelě mi kesara, i viděhь pročtohь čto jestь zapisalь i….kesarь Voihna, i ini hristoljubivi crьkvi onoizi ljud…..zemle: bystь hotěnije carьstvu mi kudě godě mu se što nahodi……hru….ljud…..vinogradь, perivolja, ili i mlinь, ima hotěnije carьstvo mi kako da je……vь věkomь, i da jestь pace svobodna, nikiimь nepotьknovlenno….). He appears as vlastelinь, surodnikь carьstva mi bratučedь Voih’na in the charter of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Hilandar Monastery from 1348. He is mentioned as kaisar/kesar in 1351 (Voicha chiessar) and 1355 (Voichna chiesar) in two forged documents of the Serbian Emperors for the town Kotor translated into old Italian. Attested as kaisar and kesarь from 1357 to 1371 (Βοΐχνας ὁ Καῖσαρ). He was the governor of the town Drama in 1357 according to the Byzantine historian Ioannes Kantakuzenos (ὁ δὲ τῆς πόλεως, ἧς ἦρχεν, ἀποδημῶν, Δράμα δὲ ἦν). Sima Ćirković suggests that he held unter his control a much bigger region corresponding with the ruling area of his son-in-law, the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa). In a later charter of Iakobos Kutaches Philanthropenos Tarchaneiotes from 1405 he is erroneously described as κράλης. His daughter was Euphemia (Jefimija/Elena). He was the father-in-law of the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa). The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed in 1348 at the intervention of his nobleman and most probably also relative Voih’na the previous donation of the village Potolino in the valley of the river Struma to the Hilandar Monastery (I tu vьspomenu carstvu mi vlastelinь, surodnikь carьstva mi bratučedь Voih’na, ō izvěstneišemь po utvrьždeni sela Potolina, iže bě priložilo i po prěžde carьstvō mi Hilan’daru...I po blagosrьdnomu moljeniju i blagoutrobiju kь v’semь svetimь i božьstvnimь crьkvamь bratučeda mi Voih’ne, darova carьtvō mi vь postrum’skomь prědělě: Seloō Potolinovo sь zasel’ci i periōromь, s megjami i sь dohoci sь v’semi pravinami sela togoō). After the death of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan he was a prominent figure in the circle of the Dušan’s widow Jelena (Helene). He encouraged Mathaios Kantakuzenos at first to invade the territory of Eastern Macedonia. He then betrayted him and joined the army of Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. He defeated Mathaios Kantakuzenos at Philippoi in Macedonia in 1357. Mathaios Kantakuzenos was imprisoned by him. He handed over Mathaios Kantakuzenos in summer 1357 to the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes V Palaiologos for a ransom. The Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa) confirmed in 1358 an endowment of his mother-in-law, the wife of Boichnas, for the Kutlumus Monastery (ὅπερ ἐπροσίλοσεν ἡ ἁγία μου κυρία ἡ Κεσάρισα πρὸς αὐτὴν τὴν μονὴν ἐν τι τοποθεσία τὴ ἐπικεκλημένι ἡ Προυνέα χάριν ψυχηκὴς δωρεὰς αὐτῆς ζευγαρίων τεσσάρον... ἐγὼ Οὔγλεσις μέγας βοεβόδας ἀπὸ τὴς αὐτοῦ ἐλεημοσίνης τοὺ αὐθέντου ἡμῶν τοὺ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου καὶ τοὺ ἀδελφοὺ αὐτοὺ τοὺ [...τ...]ου μου στέργο καὶ βεβεῶ τὰ τιαύτα χωράφια εἰς τὴν Προυνέαν γὴν ζευγαρίων τεσάρον ὅπος νέμωσην οἱ τιαύτοι μοναχοὶ τὴς θείας βασιλεικῆς μονῆς τοὺ Κουτλουμούσι ἀκολείτος). The Metropolitan of Drama in 1359 gave his consent to return the metochia of Theotokos Koriliotissa and Hagioi Anargyroi to the Batopedi Monastery after the involvment of Boichnas and his wife. Boichnas and his wife endowed the Batopedi Monastery with the church of Saint Photeine. Boichnas was buried in the Hilandar Monastery at Mount Athos.
Bojko Person He held a possession near the village Matka at the river Treska by the time his mother Dьnica erected the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten (sьzida se sii božьstvьnyi hramь svetago velikago ōca nikoly podvigomь i trudomь gospožde dьnice vь dьni stefana kralě dušane a drьžaše synь starěi boiko matku a drugi synь zvečanь sitnicomь lěto ѕ. ōm. e.).
Bratanь (2) Person He wrote a graffiti on the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes between 1340–1350 in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. Zagorka Rasolkoska-Nikolovska proposed that Bratanь came from Macedonia to the road called after the village Kozjak (da dodohomь na ptь Kosnačiki). Her interpretation has been challenged by Nikolaj Ovčarov, who suggests the reading „I, Bratanь, together with Macedonia came on Friday for these two services“ (azь Bratanь sь [i] Makedoniě da dodohomь na pętьkь o siě čini).
Damianos (2) Person He was born after 1340/1341. Mentioned in the sources from 1347 to 1349/1350. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa, Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β).
Daniil Person Recipient of the charter, which was issued by the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa) on the 29th May 1369. He appears as a kyrь in the source. He was monk and spiritual father (starьcь duhovьnikь). The Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis (Jovan Unglješa) confirmed the donation of Kaisar Boichnas (Voihna) for the monk and spiritual father Daniil. He approved all privileges concerning the Church of the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel above Gabrovo (Kako pride kь carьstvu mi čьstni starьcь duhovьnikь kyrь Daniil…Mihaila i Gabrila više Gabrova, i prinese mi zapisanie gospodina….roditelě mi kesara, i viděhь pročtohь čto jestь zapisalь i….kesarь Voihna, i ini hristoljubivi crьkvi onoizi ljud…..zemle: bystь hotěnije carьstvu mi kudě godě mu se što nahodi……hru….ljud…..vinogradь, perivolja, ili i mlinь, ima hotěnije carьstvo mi kako da je……vь věkomь, i da jestь pace svobodna, nikiimь nepotьknovlenno….).
Dimitr’ Person Mentioned in the fragmentary preserved inscription above the entrance on the south wall of the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Drenovo, which is dated to 1356 or later. He was a painter (zugraf). He decorated the church of the Holy Mother of God in Drenovo with paintings after the death of the Serbian Emperor Stefan (probably Uroš IV Dušan) at the same time as the dominion was controlled by Nikola (Nikola Stanjevikь?) and Marko (Markos, the King?) (sьzda se hram’ si v’ lě.. ѕ i ō.....i azь Dimitr’ zugraf priloh’ vь hramь sei...lě..z i d i pisah’ pri drž’avě Nikole i Markě po smrьti svetorodnago cara Stefana).
Dmitrь (2) Person Mentioned in the dedicatory inscription above the western entrance of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten from 1336/1337. His mother was Dьnica. His brother was Bojko. The second son of Dьnica held Zvečan by the time his mother erected the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten (sьzida se sii božьstvьnyi hramь svetago velikago ōca nikoly podvigomь i trudomь gospožde dьnice vь dьni stefana kralě dušane a drьžaše synь starěi boiko matku a drugi synь zvečanь sitnicomь lěto ѕ. ōm. e.). Ivan M. Đorđević discovered a monogram on the lintel of the western entrance of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten. He interpreted the monogram as the name Dmitrь and associated it with the second son of Dьnica.
Dmitrь (3) Person Probably identical with the duke Dmitrь. He is attested for the first time as milostnikь (guarantee of the legal procedure) in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery concerning the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael in Lesnovo from 15th August 1381. He is also mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from the year 1388 and the confirmation charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Church of Ascension in the Štip from 26th March 1388, which has been preserved in the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos. The expression „istini i vьsesrьdьčni surodnikь i brat gospodstva mi vojevoda Dmitrь“ used in both charters was perceived by Matanov as a description of blood relationship between Konstantin Dragaš and Dmitrь. Matanov assumes that Dmitrь was the son of Dejan (Dragaš) and Konstantin was his brother. Dmirь got three villages (Kozjak, Rurak and Krivi Dol) as his inherited property from the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for his loyal service (I sela iže jestь iznašьlь brat gospodstva mi vojevoda Dmitrь, iže mu jestь darovalo gospodstvo mi za jegovo pravověrno porabotanie). Dmitrь bought before 1388 an estate in the town of Štip and erected the Church of Ascension on this place (I město ježe jestь iznašьlь bratь gospodstva mi Dmitrь vojevoda i kupilь u Štipu gradu sь v’sěmi pravinami města togo, ideže i sьzidalь otь osnovania crьkvь Vьznesenia Gospoda Boga i spasa naša Iisusa Hrista). Dmitrь endowed the Church of Ascension in Štip with the three villages and other properties and asked the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš to legalise his donation. The Serbian Despot confirmed his endowment in front of witnesses. Probably in the same year Dmitrь petitioned the Serbian Despot again. He donated the Church of Ascencion in Štip with the possessions and rights to the Hilandar Monastery. Konstantin Dragaš allowed and confirmed the transaction of Dmitrь in a separate charter). Mentioned in the supplicant inscription on the facade above the southern door of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. The inscription can be dated between 1331 and 1334. His parents were Dejanь and Vladislava. His brother was Iō(v)anь. He appears in the supplicant inscription on the facade above the southern door of the church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište (Primi gdi moleniie rabe svoie Vladislave i čěda eie Iōvana i Dmitra bg da ihь pomene v carstva svoemь).
Doja Person Mentioned in the inscription next to the portrait of a woman on the south wall of the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. The depiction is part of the ktitorial composition. The wall painting of Doja can be dated around 1360. She was the spouse of Dejanь? She was the mother of Vitomirь and Stajo. She was a sponsor of the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. She is portrayed on the southern wall of the naos in the church next to her husband. On the right side of the painting of Doja is an inscription (i podružie ego doja i čǫda imь).
Dragoje Person He was the recipient of the charter issued by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan on 21th May 1349. He served as dijakь (scribe) and anagnostь (reader or lector). The father of his wife is mentioned in the document (I ōvy dijakь Dragoe sь svoimь tьsninomь). He moved in the place before the field Trěblěgrьmь, which was above Gabrovo and near the Belasica mountain, in order the erect a Church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God and to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (izide dijakь anagnostь Dragoje kako estь ulezlь više Gabrova u Belasici predь Trěblěgrьmь zidati hramь prěčistee crьkvь i besplьtnihь silь Mihaila i Gabrila). At the request of Kalinik, the Bishop of Banьska (Velbužd, Kjustendil), made the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan the endowment of Dragoje exempt from various duties and allowed Dragoje live here freely with his father-in-law. Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated to Dragoje also a field Podь and another field beneath Gabrovo. The Serbian Emperor gave him the permission to settle people near the church.
Dragoslavь 2 Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He was the nobleman of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš (vlastele moi). He and Iakovьcь held the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Drenovo. The Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš donated their church with other villages, settlement sites, hamlet and rights after 1376/1377 to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos (I vynu ja Kostandinь priložihь crьkovь Materь Božiju u Drenově, što su drьžali vlastele moi Iakovьcь i Dragoslavь sь sely: selo Drenovo, i selo Rolovo, i Svety Nikola selište sь vsěmi pravinami selь těhь, i ina sela: selo Pululovo, selo Halapatovo, i selište Gjurgevo sь zaselcy).
Dragoslavь Jovanь Person Mentioned in several sources from 1288/1289 to 1314/1315 or 1318/1321. Sluga 1288/1289, kaznac 1300, veliki kaznac 1314/1315. He was married to Jelena. His son was Staniša. He had a daughter called Ana. Dragoslav first served the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin as sluga. The charter for the city of Dubrovnik from 1288/1289 was signed by the king in Prizren also in the presence of Dragoslav (A tu imь milostь stvori kralevstvo mi u Prizrene u grade, a stranь kralevstva mi beše sluga Dragoslavь i Budislavь Hvalьčikь). In 1300 Dragoslav appears in the charter of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje bearing the title of kaznac. His mother of law was in possession of the abandoned vineyard Mavrovo in Butelь and gave it to Dragoslav. He donated it to the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg (I Dragoslavь kaznьcь dade ōt tьst᾿nine si vinogradište Mavrovo u Buteli). He is mentioned as kaznac in the area of Sušica between 1300 and 1318/1321 in the colophone of the gospel, which was copied by a certain anagnost Radin from Nagoričino in Žegligovo (Začeše se i sьvrьšiše se sь božijeju pomoštiju v dьni kralě Uroša, i pri klalici Simonidě, i pri kaznьci Dragoslavě i kaznьčici kira Jelelě, ōbladajuštu kaznьcu Sušiceju, jegi se kralь razmiri z grьki, v lěto ōt· i· i· sotno jenьdikto ·le· a drugo i ne uznahь koje bi lěto). In the inscription from the 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovan Dragoslav bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Dragusinos Ioannes Person He died before 1340. He appears as istin’ny i vsesrьdčny bratь kraljev’stva mi in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan concerning the Church of Saint George at Pološko. He is mentioned as ΑΥΤΑΔΕΛΦΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΨΙΛΟΤΑΤΟΥ ΚΡΑΛΙ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΘΕΝΤΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ in the inscription next to his portrait. Most of the scholars believe that he was the son of the Despot Eltimeres and the βασίλισσα Marina. The wording of the inscription next to the portrait of his wife implies that he could be the son-in-law of Eltimeres (ΔΕΗΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΟΥΛΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΝ... ΣΙΝΒΙΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΥΓΑΤΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΟΥ). He had a son (ΔΕΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΟΥΛΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΔΡΑΓ...ΤΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ Ο ΘΕΟΣ ΣΟΣΙ ΑΥΤΟΝ ΗΣ ΕΤ Η ΠΟΛΑ). He was buried in the Church of Saint George at Pološko (ΕΚΟΙΜΙΘΕΙ Ο ΔΟΥΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ Ο ΔΡΑΓΟΥΣΙΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΑΛΔΙΜΙΡΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΑΔΕΛΦΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΨΙΛΟΤΑΤΟΥ ΚΡΑΛΙ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΘΕΝΤΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ ΓΕΓΟΝΕΝ ΔΕ Ο ΝΑΟΣ ΟΥΤΟΣ ΗΣ ΜΝΙΜΟΣΙΝΟΝ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ Ο ΘΕΟΣ ΣΟΣΙ ΑΥΤΟΝ). He is depicted together with his wife below the portrait of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in the northern section of the western façade of the church.
Draguš Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He erected the Church of Saint Nicholas (I u těhzi metohiahь što su crьkve baštin᾿ske, i to priložismo: Svety Nikola Draguševь, Svetyi Nikola Kolešinь), which was donated by the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos after 1376/1377.
Draja Person Mentioned in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo. He was a priest. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated, together with his son, the Young King Uroš, the church of St. Nicholas near Jadvarce with the priest Draja, his family, place, boundaries and all rights to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo (U Jadvar᾿cěhь crьkovь Svety Nikolaje, što priloži kraljevьstvo mi Svetoi Bogorodici Htětovʼskoi, popa Draju sь rodomь i sь městomь, sь megami i sь vsěmi pravinami).
Dьnica (1) Person Mentioned in the dedicatory inscription above the western entrance of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten from 1336/1337. She appears as gospožda in the inscription. Her sons were Bojko and Dmitrь. She erected the Church of Saint Nicholas in Ljuboten (sьzida se sii božьstvьnyi hramь svetago velikago ōca nikoly podvigomь i trudomь gospožde dьnice vь dьni stefana kralě dušane a drьžaše synь starěi boiko matku a drugi synь zvečanь sitnicomь lěto ѕ. ōm. e.).
Georgios (4) Person Mentioned in the Greek inscription next to his portrait on the wall in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. The wall painting can be dated around 1340. His wife was Tehoslaba (Tihoslava). He had a son. He is portrayed with the model of the church on the western wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint George in Chonuche (Gorni Kozjak). The greek ktitorial inscription has been preserved between the painting of Georgios and the depiction of his son. According to the proposed reconstruction it probably mentions Georgios (ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΚΕ Η ΣΙΝΕΥΝΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΤΗΧΟΣΛΑΒΑΣ ΚΤΗΤΟΡΙΣΑΣ).
Germanь (2) Person Mentioned in the inscription above the southern entrance to the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Sveti Spas) in Zrze from the beginning of the 15th century. He became a monk at the end of his life. His son was Hajko. He was the grandfather of Pribilь and Prijezda. He was a nobleman during the reign of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He erected the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Sveti Spas) in Zrze (Izvoljenijemь gospoda i boga i spasa našego Ïsu Hrista i tōgo světlago prěōbraženïa i po milosti prěčistie bogomatere sьzida se svety i božestveni hramь syi v dьni blagočьštivago i hristoljubivago samodrьžavnago vьseje srьbskije zemlje i pomōriju i podunaviju cara Stefana trudomь i podvigomь raba božïega mōnaha Germana).
Geōrgje-Miroslavь Person Mentioned in the epitaph from the 14th century, which is preserved in the Church of Saint Demetrius Monastery in Veles. He was the son of Ilija. He was the grandson of the župan Stracimirь and Alьtimirь. The epitaph in the Church of the Saint Demetrius Monastery in Veles is commemorating Geōrgje-Miroslavь, who was the son of Ilija and the grandson of two župans (Prědstavi se rabь bži, Geōrgje a rekomy Miroslavь Iliinь snь a vьnukь župana a Stracimira i Alьtimira mja se k.ѕ., v ilju na Iōa Boslovac).
Gurguras Person Gregorius Golubich is a central figure in the negotiations between Serbia and Dubrovnik between the years 1362 and 1365, but it is not clear, whether he is the same person as Kaisar Gurguras. Gregorius Golubich strived with his brother Ivan to conclude the peace treaty. Several accounts from the Dubrovnik archive give detail about him and his brother. On the 14th of June 1362 Gregorius and his brother became the citizens of Dubrovnik. Their deposits were under the guarantee of the city of Dubrovnik and obtained the legal position of inviolability in case of the war (Comes Ivan Golubich cum Gregorio fratre suo factus fuit civis Ragusii, et quod possit in omni tempore venire Ragusium, et ibi stare et habitare, et res et bona sua deponere et salvare libere sicut quilibet alius verus ciivis Ragusii. Et si casus ocurreret, quod propter guerram vel propter alium casum prefati comes Ivanus et frater eius Gregorius cum eorum familia, bonis atque rebus aufugerint de Raxia Ragusium, quod libere venire possint et inde recedere cum omnibus bonis suis ad omnem eorum voluntatem sine aliquot impedimento prout quilibet alius civis Ragusii facere possit. Et si aliquot tempore Guerra vel Discordia oriretur inter regnum Raxie et comune Ragusii, quod bona eorum deposita in Ragusio sint salva, et quod impedire non debeat nec intromitti modo aliquo, sed possit libere ipsa facere extrahere et extrahi facere de Ragusio ad omnem ipsorum voluntatem, sicut supra dictum est). In the time between 10th and 15th of July in the year 1362 the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V issued a safe conduct charter for the embassy from Dubrovnik. Grьgurь is mentioned there along with Logothete Dejan as the ambassador of the Serbian ruler (i kako mi ste poručali po logothetě carstva mi po Dejaně i po Grьgurě). On the 6th December 1365 came knez Gregorius Golubich, the deputy of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V, to Dubrovnik in order to collect the Tribute of Ston (Comes Gregorius Golubich, nuncius domini Imperatoris Sclavonie...anni proxime preteriti de mense octobris yperpyros duo mille...Pripchus Murisich et Radoe Posovcich, homines Senchi). Mentioned in the sources between the year 1347 and 1361. He held the title of Kaisar between 1347 and 1361. He received a letter from the pope Clement VI in March 1347. In this document he was asked by the pope to support the intention of the Serbian emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan to join the union with the Latin church (Gregorio Golubie cesari regni Racie). He is mentioned in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren, which was issued after august 1347. He gave a moneylender with the name Dabiživ to the monastery. Dabiživ was obliged to donate yearly 18 foxes to the monastery (I sь milostiju i hotěnijemь carьstva mi priloži kesarь Grьgurь crьkvi carьstva mi Arhhaggelu Dabiživa kamatnika, da daje za godište 18 lisicь). He is attested in the forged document of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the town Kotor as a witness (i vsego sobora egō i vlastela i sobora carskago Gergura). He appears as a sponsor in the inventory of the crypt in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Bari. He endowed the church with various church vessels. On the 10th of May of the year 1353 the chapter in Bari released an approval for specific church vessels to be sold. The lamps on the list are probably endowments of Gurguras (...Lampas una magna de argento missa ecclesie per Cesarem Sclavonie...; Lampas una magna et suptilis deaurata cum multo labore missa per quemdam Sclav...librarum duarum et unciarum undecim; Lampas una cum catinellis de argento missa per Cesarem Sclavonie...apostolis...duodecim deauratis et cum licteris videlicet Cesar Gregorius me fecit fieri ponderis librarum sex et unciarum decem). According to the inventory from the 5th Februrary of the year 1361 Gurgaras donated to the church also an incense with his coat of arms, mitre with 1008 pearls, stole and maniple (Tumbulum unum de argento deaurato missum per Cesarem Sclavonie ad campanile cum xmaltis quattuor ad aquilas rubeas cum duobus...et cum duobus allis dragonibus et cum cannellis duplis de argento in quibus cannelis sunt...quinque in medio ponderis librarum quattuor et unciarum novem). Mauro Orbini mentions him as a person, which advised the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V (Li suoi primi consiglieri suorono Gregorio Cesar). The inscription above the entrance door to the Church of the Holy Mother of God Zachlumistisa mentions the circumstances of the endowment in the year 1361. The church was erected at the expense of the kaisar Gurguras. The painted decoration of the monastery was commisioned by Gregory, the Bishop of Devol (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τῆς ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Ζαχλουμήστισας διʹ ἐξοδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου καίσαρος Γούργουρα καὶ κτήτωρος ἀνιστορίθη δὲ παρὰ τοῦ πανιεροτάτου ἐπισκόπου Δεαβόλαιως καὶ πρωτοθρόνου κύρ Γρηγορίου καὶ κτῆτωρος ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Στεφάνου τοῦ Οὐροσιοι μηνὶ αὐγούστῳ κεʹ. ͵ϛωξθ ἰνδ. ιδʹ).
Hajko Person He lived before 1368/1369. His father was Germanь. He had a wife. He was the father of Pribilь and Prijezda. He was buried in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze. According to the inscription on the wall above the western entrance in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze from 1368/1369 did Pribil, Prijezda and their mother sponsor 30 perperь for the decoration in the front part of the church. The intented purpose of their donation was the salvation of the Hariton’s soul (Vь lěto: ѕ: tisuštno: io: i sotno i o: i z: popisa se crьkva: spasova: prědne: za: l: perperь: s trudomь: i s otkupomь haikověhь: syinov: pribila i prijezdu: i matere nih: a za: dušu blagoprestavšago se: haritona: a velьčьko ime: haiko: počivšago: o hramu spasově: i i tko pročitaete: recate věčna emu pametь).
Iakovьcь Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He was the nobleman of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš (vlastele moi). He and Dragoslavь held the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Drenovo. The Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš donated their church with other villages, settlement sites, hamlet and rights after 1376/1377 to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos (I vynu ja Kostandinь priložihь crьkovь Materь Božiju u Drenově, što su drьžali vlastele moi Iakovьcь i Dragoslavь sь sely: selo Drenovo, i selo Rolovo, i Svety Nikola selište sь vsěmi pravinami selь těhь, i ina sela: selo Pululovo, selo Halapatovo, i selište Gjurgevo sь zaselcy).
Ivanьko Person He wrote a graffiti on the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes between 1340–1350 in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. He was a priest. He came from the town of Štip. His graffiti has been preserved in the upper part of the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes, which is in the narthex of the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak (azь popь ivanьko ōt štipa).
Iōanikie Person Mentioned in the inscription on his own tomb, which was kept in the Church of Saint Athanasius in Lešok. He was a priestmonk (Anthonije/Anьtonije), then Bishop of the region Lower Polog (Iōanikie). After the year 1308 the Church of Saint Athanasius in Lešok was found by the Priestmonk Antonije (Izvoleniemь ōca i vьplьšteniemь sina i pospěšeniemь svetago duha azь eriomonaahь Anthonie pridohъ vь sie město i rastiždahь i raskopahь gabryi i uravnihь bregove i načehь si hramь zidati svetago athanasija vь dni kralja milutina i vtorago kralja sina mu stefana i tretiego kralja sina mu dušane). Between the years 1346 and 1355 Antonije was appointed Bishop of Lower Polog by the Serbian Patriarch Joanikije II, who has given him the name Iōanikie (i prizva patriarha blьgarskago i arhiepiskupa srьbskago iōanikija i stvori zborь u skopi i blagosloviše ego na carьski sanь i bystь prvonastolny carь srbskoi zemli i grčkoi i pomorskoi arhiepiskupa iōanikija blagosloviše na patriarhiju srbskoi zemli vь to carstvo blagosloviše anьtonija na episkupstvo dolnemu pologu prvonastolna po izvoleniju božiju prětvoriše ime jemu iōanikie poneže něe bilo prěge episkupь polozě).
Jelena (2) Person Mentioned in two inscriptions dated in the first twenty years of the 14th century. She appears as kira in the colophone of the so-called Radin gospel. She was married to Jovanь Dragoslavь. Her son was Staniša. She had a daughter called Ana. She is mentioned as the wife of kaznac Jovanь Dragoslavь in the colophone of the gospel, which was copied by a certain anagnost Radin from Nagoričino in Žegligovo between 1300 and 1318/1321 (Začeše se i sьvrьšiše se sь božijeju pomoštiju v dьni kralě Uroša, i pri klalici Simonidě, i pri kaznьci Dragoslavě i kaznьčici kira Jelelě, ōbladajuštu kaznьcu Sušiceju, jegi se kralь razmiri z grьki, v lěto ōt· i· i· sotno jenьdikto ·le· a drugo i ne uznahь koje bi lěto). In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Josif Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He was a cleric. The Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš donated after 1376/1377 the Church of Holy Mother of God Pantanassa in Petrič with the cleric Josif to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos (I ešte priložismo u Petrьči crьkovь Prečistyje Pandanosa duhovnika Iosifa).
Kale (2) Person Mentioned in the dedicatory inscription found on the western wall of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad from 1368–1369. She appears as a πανευγενεστάτη κεσαρισα κυρία Καλῆ in the inscription next to her portray. She was a κεσαρισα.She was married to Nobakos. Her children were Amirales and Maria. Her husband kaisar Nobakos sponsored the renovation and decoration of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad in the year 1368–1369 (Άνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρου καὶ κόπού καὶ μόχθοῦ ὁ θεϊος κὲ πάνσεπτος ναώς ουτος της υπεραγίας δεσπίνης ἡμων Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀνηστορίθην παρὰ του αὐφθέντου αὐτοῦ πὰνευτυχεστάτου κέσαρος Νοβάκου ἠγουμενέβῶντὸς δὲ Ἰωνὰ μοναχοῦ. Αὐφθεντεύβοντος πανυψηλοτάτου κραλήου τοῦ Βεληκασίνου. Άρχαηερατεύωντος δὲ τῆς ἀγιωτάτης ἀρχιεπησκοπῆς τῆς Πρότης Ἰουστινηανης, ετους ͵ςωοζʹ). The family portrait of Nobakos has been preserved on the western external façade. She and her husband are painted to the right of the virgin. She is portrayed as a young woman.
Kallinikos (1) Person Recipient of the prostagma issued by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušna on 1th January 1348 and mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Anagnost Dragoje from 21th May 1349. The sources denote him as κῦρ/kyrь. He was Hegumen of the Hilandar Monastery, 1348 (Καθηγούμενε τῆς σεβασμίας μονῆς τοῦ Χελανταρίου κυρίε Καλλίνικε) and Bishop of Banьska (Velbužd, Kjustendil) [osvešten’noi jepiskupь banьsky kyrь Kalinikь], 1349. The monks from the Monastery of Saint John Baptist near Serres complained to the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan about been oppressed in use of their fishing rights by the Hegumen Kallinikos and Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan commanded the hegumen to abandon from this action. Kallinikos asked the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan before 1349 to exempt the endowment of the dijak Dragoje from duties. Dragoje could live with his father-in-law on the property, where the new church was erected, after the intervention of Kallinikos (Tōgda spravi osvešten’noi jepiskupь banьsky kyrь Kalinikь jere ōdь svego sьrdьca sь velikimь trudomь se tьštitь sьizi dijakь Dragoe zidati hramь Božii i za njego se pomoli jepiskupь carьstvu mi kako da jestь tai crьkvь svobodna na věky. I ōvy dijakь Dragoe sь svoimь tьsninomь da prěbyvajutь u nei svobodnō).
Kapzas Begos Person Mentioned in the ktitorial inscription in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Varoš near Prilep from 1298. He had a wife, whose name was Maria. He and his wife commisioned the construction and the fresco decoration of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Varoš near Prilep during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos (ἀνιγέρθει· ἐκ βάθρου· καὶ ἀνιστωρήθει ὁ θῆος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἀρχηεράρχων καὶ θαυματουργοῦ Νικολάου δηὰ συνδρωμῆς καὶ κόπου Βέγου τοῦ Καπζᾶ καὶ τῆς συμβήου αὐτοῦ Μαρίας· ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Ἀνδρωνίκου τοῦ εὐσεβεστάτου βασιλέος καὶ αὐτωκράτωρος Ῥωμέων Κομνινοῦ τοῦ Παλαεωλόγου καὶ Ἠρήνης τῆς εὐσεβεστάτης αὐγούστης· ἐπῒ ἔτους ςωζ μηνὴ νωεύρηο ιζ ἰνδικτιῶνος ιβ το τουτῶ...θνυτοῦ καὶ ἑτέρῶν τῶν κτήτωρων).
Kar’ba Person Mentioned in the the so-called „zbirna hrisovulja” of the Serbian Kings Stefan Uroš II Milutin and Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, which has been preserved in four transcripts in the library of the Monastery Hilandar. They are dated between 1303/1304 and 1336/1340-1342/1345. Attested also in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Hilandar Monastery concerning the village Karbinci from the 8th June 1355. He became a land and a pasture from the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski. He built and decorated the Church of Saint Petka near the river Bregalnica with his own hands. He endowed it with vineyard, field and hayfields and gave it to the Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed the donation and approved the claims of the Hilandar Monastery on the property. He also exempted the subordinates of Kar’b and all free people, who wished to settle near the church, from all the services for the Serbian king (I pride[a] kraljevьstvo mi crьkvь svetu Petku na Brěgalnici, što jestь zidalь Kar’ba samь svoima rukama i sь trudomь pace i popisьlь i ukrasilь krasotami crьkvnimi, da jestь metohь svete Bogorodice hilan’dar’ske sь vinogradomь i sь nivjemь i sěnokosi, pače i pašišta i zemlja, što mu je dalь gospodinь i roditelь kraljevьstva mi, i tu da si ima crьkvь. I kto si poljubi ōd jegověhь ljudi ili kto svobodьnь člověkь da grede svobodno pod crьkvь svetu Petьku. I kraljevьstvo mi ōsvobodi ōnezi ljudi ōt vsěhь rabotь kraljevьstva mi malihь i velikihь, jakože i više pisano). The villages on his land were subject of dispute between the monks of the Hilandar Monastery and the guards of emperor. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV sent David Mihojević, the kefalija (governor) of Štip, in order to determine the boundaries of the disputed land. He issued a chrysobull charter on this occasion and confirmed, that Hilandar Monastery has the right over the land with the boundaries determined by David Mihojević (Ima htěnije i povelěva carьstvō mi da je vědomo vsakomu kako pridě igumenь v’sečьstьni světogorski Bogorodice hilandarske Dorothei i sь star’ci i govori carьstvu mi ō selě zem’li Kar’bin’čkoi kao je ima crьkovь u hrisovuli a sьgi je ne drьže. I sьprěše se z bьci carьstva mi predь mnomь što su na toizi zem’li Kar’binьčkoi i carьstvo mi vь to vrěme ne ōbrěte nigde dati bьcemь da se prěselě i poslah kjefaliju štip’skoga Davida Mihojevikja igumena i star’ce i tezi bьce da s kraja ōdtešu crьkvi i utьkme. I prišdь Davidь spovedь carьstvu mi kako jestь megju nimi utьk’milь i ōdtesali zemlju kude mi spoved Davidь).
Koleša Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He was probably the founder of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kolešino (I u těhzi metohiahь što su crьkve baštin᾿ske, i to priložismo: Svety Nikola Draguševь, Svetyi Nikola Kolešinь). The Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš donated his church to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos after 1376/1377.
Kraikos Person Mentioned in the sources from 1340/1341 to 1381. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. According to the stone inscription above the Western Entrance of the Katholikon in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo from 1340/1341, his father Ioannes Liberos, his mother Maria Liberissa and he sponsored the reconstruction and the painted decoration of the monastery. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa and Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) endowed the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo with lands in the surrounding area (sьzda se světlyi i čьs(t)nъï.hramь.velikago vojevode vьïšnih silь. Arhistratiga Mihaila. Sьzda se i sьvrьši se. Vь dni Stefan(a) kral(a). Sь trudomь. Ï podanijemь raba B(ož)ija Ïōan(a) veikago voevode Ōlivera. I podružija ego rabu B(o)žiju Annu. Maru i vьzljublennago emu s(y)na Kraika. V(ь) lět(o). ƺ.ō.m.ḟ. se že sela i metohïe. Selo konь crkve Lěsnovo. Sь zaselkomъ Lukovu i u Bakově crkvь S(ve)t(o)ga Nikole sь selomь. Ï na rěcě zaselьkь Globica i selo Dobrьevo i u Drěvěnoi. S(ve)tьï Elisei i zaslьk Peštno i S(ve)ty Prokopije. I katunь Vlah(a) na Stroi i u Štipě S(ve)ty Nikola pop Sïfievь. i. k. kukei). Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and his sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. The portrait of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) is situated on the northern wall of the chapel. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa, Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β). According to the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from 15th August 1381 Maria Liberissa expressed short before her death the will that the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo should devolve after her death on the Hilandar Monastery. Her sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Rusinь confirmed that their mother wanted to donate the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo to the Hilandar Monastery (I kako je i despotica Ōlivera despota na sьmrьti rekla i sь synōma svoima Kraikōmь i Rusinomь da je paki tai crьkvь Hilandaru).
Kseno Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He erected the Church of the Immaculate Mother of God, which was donated by the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos after 1376/1377 (I u těhzi metohiahь što su crьkve baštin᾿ske, i to priložismo: Svety Nikola Draguševь, Svetyi Nikola Kolešinь, Sveta Petka Prodanova, i Prečistaja Ksenova).
Ksenofontь Person Mentioned in the chrysobull charter from 1300 issued by the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje. He was a monk. He donated a palace and the church of the Holy Mother of God in Skopje near the “Big gate” to the Monastery of Saint Georg-Gorg near Skopje. He endowed the monastery also with mills, field and vineyards The Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin confirmed the act in the chrysobull charter from 1300 for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje (Vьnutrь grada Skopija, pri vratěh Velikyhь polata i crьkvь Svetaa Bogorodica, eže jestь pridalь monahь Ksenofontь, sь mlini, s nivijemь, s vinogradi).
Kïriakь Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He was a knjez. He probably founded the Church of Saint Stephen in the town of Strumica. The Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš donated the church with a land, a vineyard, people and the knjez Kïriakь to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos (I vynu priložismo u Strumici Svetago Stefana, crьkovь Kïriaka knjeza sь ljudmi, sь vinogrady, zemljomь).
Marena Person Attested in the ktitorial inscription and the wall painting in the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. The wall paintings in Kučevište can be dated between 1331 and 1334. Apparently the mother of Radoslavь. She is mentioned in the inscription of the founders of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište (sьzda se i popisa se hramь prěblagosslovenju bogorodice i s mukomь i sticaniemь ... ktitorice Marene i Radoslavь i Vladislava). She is a prominent figure of the fragmentary ktitorial composition on the northern wall of the narthex in the same church. Zagorka Rasolkoska-Nikolovska proposed a reconstruction, in which Marena holds together with Vladislava the model of the church. According to the scholar they are displaying in this way their joint-patronage of the sacral building.
Maria (2) Person Mentioned in the ktitorial inscription in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Varoš near Prilep from 1298. She had a husband, whose name was Begos Kapzas. She and her husband commisioned the construction and the fresco decoration of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Varoš near Prilep during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos (ἀνιγέρθει· ἐκ βάθρου· καὶ ἀνιστωρήθει ὁ θῆος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἀρχηεράρχων καὶ θαυματουργοῦ Νικολάου δηὰ συνδρωμῆς καὶ κόπου Βέγου τοῦ Καπζᾶ καὶ τῆς συμβήου αὐτοῦ Μαρίας· ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Ἀνδρωνίκου τοῦ εὐσεβεστάτου βασιλέος καὶ αὐτωκράτωρος Ῥωμέων Κομνινοῦ τοῦ Παλαεωλόγου καὶ Ἠρήνης τῆς εὐσεβεστάτης αὐγούστης· ἐπῒ ἔτους ςωζ μηνὴ νωεύρηο ιζ ἰνδικτιῶνος ιβ το τουτῶ...θνυτοῦ καὶ ἑτέρῶν τῶν κτήτωρων).
Maria (3) Person Mentioned in the dedicatory inscription found on the western wall of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad from 1368–1369. She appears as a πανευγενεστάτη κυρία Μαρια θυγάτηρ αυτου in the inscription next to her portrait. She was the daughter of the kaisar Nobakos and Kale. Her brother was Amerales. Her father kaisar Nobakos sponsored the renovation and decoration of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad in the year 1368–1369 (Άνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρου καὶ κόπού καὶ μόχθοῦ ὁ θεϊος κὲ πάνσεπτος ναώς ουτος της υπεραγίας δεσπίνης ἡμων Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀνηστορίθην παρὰ του αὐφθέντου αὐτοῦ πὰνευτυχεστάτου κέσαρος Νοβάκου ἠγουμενέβῶντὸς δὲ Ἰωνὰ μοναχοῦ. Αὐφθεντεύβοντος πανυψηλοτάτου κραλήου τοῦ Βεληκασίνου. Άρχαηερατεύωντος δὲ τῆς ἀγιωτάτης ἀρχιεπησκοπῆς τῆς Πρότης Ἰουστινηανης, ετους ͵ςωοζʹ). The family portrait of Nobakos has been preserved on the western external façade. She and her brother are painted to the left of the virgin, who is the central figure of the ktitorial composition. She is portrayed as a young woman.
Marina Person The wording of the greek inscription in the Church of Saint George at Pološko may support the assumption that she accepted the name Maria as a nun. Some authors think that her monk’s name was Marina. Mostly Bulgarian scholars tend to identify her with Marija († 7. 4. 1355) from the epitaph in the Church of Saint Demetrius in Skopje. She lived before 1343/1345 and maybe after it. She appears as βασίλισσα in the greek inscription. She was married to Despot Eltimeres (despotica). It is not clear, whether Ioannes Dragusinos was her son or son-in-law. She was the daughter of the Bulgarian Tsar Smilets. The marriage with Eltimeres took place before 1299. She emigrated to Serbia with her family after the death of her husband probably in 1305. She founded the Church of Saint George at Pološko as the burial place for Ioannes Dragusinos. She commissioned the fresco decoration of the church. Her portrait on the western facade near the entrance of the church is accompanied by a greek inscription (ΔΕΙΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΟΥΛΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ... ΤΗΣ ΒΑΣΕΙΛΙΣΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΝΟΜΑΣΘΕΙΣΗΣ ΜΑΡΙΝΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΤΙΤΟΡΙΣΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΝΑΟΥ). She is depicted as a nun wearing the model of the church. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated the Church of Saint George at Pološko with endowment at the request of Marina (Maria) to the Monastery of Hilandar (da jestь tazi crьkvь i s těmizi selami Bogorodice hilan’dar’ske do dьni i do věka u pomenь kraljevstva mi i bratu kraljevstva mi Dragušinu i u večnu pametь, s volomь i sь hotěnijemь kraljevstva mi despotice).
Nestorь Person He wrote a graffiti on the right side of the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes between 1340–1350 in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. He worked as a gramatikь. Nestorь wrote his words in the time of Despot Kotanitzes Tornikios (Azь gramatikь Nestorь napisahь slova vь dьni dьnь despota Tornika).
Nikodimь (1) Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Hilandar Monastery from 1354/1355. He erected the Church of Saint Petka above the village Trьnovac. The church was donated by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan with its metochion and all rights to the Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan added the church to the endowment of Vlatko Paskačić and his Church of Saint Nikola in Psača (I crьkvь svetu Pet’ku jaže jestь nad Trnov’ci Nikodimovu, s metehōmь teje i sь vsěmi pravinami).
Nobakos Person Probably identical with Novakь Mrasorovikь. In January 1366 ugodni vlastelin Novakь Mrasorovikь addressed the request to the Serbian Despot Ioan Uglješa (Ioannes Unklesis) and also the Serbian King Vukašin (Demetrios Blukasinos) to approve his donation of the village Koprivljane to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos. Both of them confirmed the endowment of Novakь Mrasorovikь to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos in a separate chrysobull charter. Nobakos is mentioned in the dedicatory inscription found on the western wall of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad from 1368–1369. He appears as πανευτυχέστατος in the dedicatory inscription. He was kaisar. He was married to Kale. He had a son Amirales and a daughter named Maria. He sponsored the renovation and decoration of the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad in the year 1368–1369. The dedicatory inscription on the western wall relates about the ktetor Nobakos, who built the church from the ground, which is apparently not true, because Mpoeikos together with Eudokia and her son sponsored already in 1344/1345 the first painted decoration of the church (Άνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρου καὶ κόπού καὶ μόχθοῦ ὁ θεϊος κὲ πάνσεπτος ναώς ουτος της υπεραγίας δεσπίνης ἡμων Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀνηστορίθην παρὰ του αὐφθέντου αὐτοῦ πὰνευτυχεστάτου κέσαρος Νοβάκου ἠγουμενέβῶντὸς δὲ Ἰωνὰ μοναχοῦ. Αὐφθεντεύβοντος πανυψηλοτάτου κραλήου τοῦ Βεληκασίνου. Άρχαηερατεύωντος δὲ τῆς ἀγιωτάτης ἀρχιεπησκοπῆς τῆς Πρότης Ἰουστινηανης, ετους ͵ςωοζʹ). The family portrait of Nobakos has been preserved on the western external façade. Nobakos is portrayed with a halo.
Ozra Person She was probably already dead before 1354/1355. She was married to Paskačь and therefore held the title of knegyna. Her son was Vladko. The painted portrait of Ozra is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača next to the image of Paskačь.
Paskačь Person He was already dead before 1354/1355. He held the title of knezь. He and his son Vladko founded together the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The painted portrait of Paskač is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The fresco displays him with his whole family. The representation of Paskač and his son Vladko, who are hoisting the model of the church to the icon of Saint Nicholas, can be described as an act of the joint ktetorship.
Pribacь Person Mentioned in the charter of Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo from 1345. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed, together with his son, the Young King Uroš, the endowment of Pribacь in Krpeno to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo. Pribacь donated his domain, the church of Saint George, with family, retinue and people settled here by his will. He granted also water-mills, enclosures, hay harvests, meadows, hill together with all boundaries and rights (I selo Krьpena što priloži kraljevьstvo mi Svetoi Bogorodici Htětovьskoi, Pribʼca sь crьkoviju Svetymь Geōrʼgьjemь, sь rodomь i sь dvorani, sь ljudmi što je priselilь Pribʼcь, s městomь i s vodenicami, s ōgradijemь, sь sěnokosy, s livadami, sь brьdomь, sь vsěmi megami i pravinami).
Pribilь Person He lived before 1394, Dragana Pavlović supposes that he lived till 1421. He appears as a kyrь in the inscription above the southern entrance to the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Sveti Spas) in Zrze from the beginning of the 15th century. He was an artist. He was appointed as a Bishop of Pelagonia or Skopje between 1370 and 1388. He was the grandson of Germanь. His father was Hajko. His brother was Prijezda. According to the inscription on the wall above the western entrance in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze from 1368/1369 did Pribil, Prijezda and their mother sponsor 30 perperь for the decoration in the front part of the church. The intented purpose of their donation was the salvation of the Hariton’s soul (Vь lěto: ѕ: tisuštno: io: i sotno i o: i z: popisa se crьkva: spasova: prědne: za: l: perperь: s trudomь: i s otkupomь haikověhь: syinov: pribila i prijezdu: i matere nih: a za: dušu blagoprestavšago se: haritona: a velьčьko ime: haiko: počivšago: o hramu spasově: i i tko pročitaete: recate věčna emu pametь). He and his brother held the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze also during the reign of Blukasinos (Vukašin) and Markos (Marko). After the Otttoman sultan Bayezid brought the region under the control, the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze became desolate. He and his brother therefore handed over the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze to their subject Kmet Konstantin (Minuvši že gospodstvōmь blagočьstivyhь těhь gospodь hristïanьskihь carь Stefana i syna ego carь Uroša prěje gospōdstvo seje zemlьje blagověrnyi kralь Vlьkьšinь i synь jego kralь Marko. Vь dьni že ihь ōbdrьžahu sie svetoe město ōtečьstvo svoe svetopočivši prěōsvešteni mitropolitь kyrь Ïōanь Zōgrafь i bratь ego ïerōmonahь Makarïe Zōgrafь, vnuci svetago ktitōra mōnaha Germana. Po prěšьstviju že i těhь gospodь načetь gospodōvati veliki Amira Pajazitь, i sye sveto město načetь razarati se i ōpustěvati, zanje ne biše jaci tizi ktitōri ōkrьmljati město sie, nь blagosloviše i dadoše siju ōbitělь baštinu svoju, ne po nuždi ili po nevōli, nь svoimь hotěniemь Konstantinu kmetu svomu i njegověmь dětcamь). He together with the Monk Grigorije was the author of the paintings in the Church of Saint Andrew at the Treska river from 1388/1389 (Pomeni gospodi bože raba svoego mnogogrěšnago Iōana mitropolita i Rrigoria monaha pisavšihь zde). Several artworks are attributed to the artist and Metropolitan Iōanь and his workshop. He painted in 1393/1394 his last known icon „Christ as Saviour and Giver of Life“ for the iconostasis in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze.
Prijezda Person He lived before 1421/1422. He appears as kyrь in the inscription on the icon of the Holy Mother of God Pelagonitissa from 1421/1422 in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze. He worked as an artist. He was a priestmonk. He was the grandson of Germanь. His father was Hajko. His brother was Pribilь. According to the inscription on the wall above the western entrance in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze from 1368/1369 did Pribil, Prijezda and their mother sponsor 30 perperь for the decoration in the front part of the church. The intented purpose of their donation was the salvation of the Hariton’s soul (Vь lěto: ѕ: tisuštno: io: i sotno i o: i z: popisa se crьkva: spasova: prědne: za: l: perperь: s trudomь: i s otkupomь haikověhь: syinov: pribila i prijezdu: i matere nih: a za: dušu blagoprestavšago se: haritona: a velьčьko ime: haiko: počivšago: o hramu spasově: i i tko pročitaete: recate věčna emu pametь). He and his brother held the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze also during the reign of Blukasinos (Vukašin) and Markos (Marko). After the Otttoman sultan Bayezid brought the region under the control, the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze became desolate. He and his brother therefore handed over the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze to their subject Kmet Konstantin (Minuvši že gospodstvōmь blagočьstivyhь těhь gospodь hristïanьskihь carь Stefana i syna ego carь Uroša prěje gospōdstvo seje zemlьje blagověrnyi kralь Vlьkьšinь i synь jego kralь Marko. Vь dьni že ihь ōbdrьžahu sie svetoe město ōtečьstvo svoe svetopočivši prěōsvešteni mitropolitь kyrь Ïōanь Zōgrafь i bratь ego ïerōmonahь Makarïe Zōgrafь, vnuci svetago ktitōra mōnaha Germana. Po prěšьstviju že i těhь gospodь načetь gospodōvati veliki Amira Pajazitь, i sye sveto město načetь razarati se i ōpustěvati, zanje ne biše jaci tizi ktitōri ōkrьmljati město sie, nь blagosloviše i dadoše siju ōbitělь baštinu svoju, ne po nuždi ili po nevōli, nь svoimь hotěniemь Konstantinu kmetu svomu i njegověmь dětcamь). He finished in 1405/1406 the fresco decoration for the Princess Milica in the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Ljubostinja. His last known work was the icon of the Holy Mother of God Pelagonitissa from 1421/1422 in the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ (Holy Saviour/Sveti Spas) in Zrze (pomeni gi ïerōmonaha kyrь Makarïa zōgrafa).
Proběštitōvikь Ivanko Person Recipient of the charter issued by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan's Charter on 28th May 1350. He was a nobleman of the Despot Jovan Oliver (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος) [I blagoizvoli carьstvō mi zapisati vlasteličikju despotovu Ivanku Proběštitōvikju]. He had children. Ivanko Proběštitōvikь was a nobleman, whose centre of interest was the town of Štip. Before 1350 he bought a land in the town Štip, where he erected the Church of Saint John the Baptist. Furthermore he acquired some vineyards and vineyard land outside and inside of the town from the locals in Štip. He enlarged his endowment by a garden, a field and another vineyard. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed, that the Church of Saint John the Baptist, his vineyards, his lands and his several subjects are part of the patrimony of Ivanko Proběštitōvikь and his family. His children swore, that after the death of their father, they will donate the church with all its property to the Hilandar Monastery (što si jestь kupilь zmelju u Štipu u gradu i sьzdalь na nōi crьkvь svetago Iōana Krьstitelja i ješte što si jestь kupilь izvьnь grada zemlju i vinograde vinugracku zemlju ōdь graždanь, takožde i vrьtь što si jestь kupilь i nivie i ešte što si kje prikupiti ili zemlju ili vinograde i što si jestь priložilь svoe si ōtroke sušte crьkvi svetomu Iōanu Krьstitelju. A ime těmь ōtrokōm Gjurь Dankovikь i Manoō vlahь i Ginь Arbanasinь i Stanь Gudoe i Vlьčina i Dragoslavь vlahь, Radovanь Golěmčikь. Dragoslavь Srьblinь z bratōmь. Tozi mu vse malo golěmo zapisue carьstvo mi u baštinu više pisano. Kako e i nimь zapisalo carьstvo mi takožde zapisue carьstvo mi Ivanku i negově děci do věka nepokolěbimo nikimь ōnuzi crьkvь koju si jestь sьzdalь svetago Iōana i sь kupenicami i sь ōtroki da si ima i drьži Ivanko i negova děca do věka vь vsako utvrьždenie i dostojanie carьsko i svobodu čistu…A po smerti Ivanove negovi deca vse to daruvaše monastiru Hilandaru so hrisovulomь simь i monastirь vsja da oblada vo spomenь imь).
Prodanь (1) Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos, which was issued after 1376/1377. He erected the Church of Saint Petka (I u těhzi metohiahь što su crьkve baštin᾿ske, i to priložismo: Svety Nikola Draguševь, Svetyi Nikola Kolešinь, Sveta Petka Prodanova), which was donated by the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on Holy Mount Athos after 1376/1377.
Radoslavь (3) Person The identification with Radoslabos Chlapenos (Radoslav Hlapen) is doubtful. Mihailo Dinić identified Radoslav with „Rado(a)sclavus filius de jupan Vratisclavo“, who is attested in the Ragusan archives under the year 1319. Some scholars supposed that he was the same person as „iupan Rodosclauo“, who appears in the charter of Vladislav, the son of the former Serbian King Dragutin, adressed to Ragusan authorities from the 25th October 1323. He is mentioned in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in favour of the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. Attested also in the ktitorial inscription and the wall painting in the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. The wall paintings in Kučevište can be dated between 1331 and 1334. He held the position of župan. Apparently the son of Marena. He figures in the inscription of the founders of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. His portrait has been preserved only in fragments on the northern wall of the narthex in the same church. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski donated the village Klьčevišta (Kučevište) to Župan Radoslavь. Župan Radoslavь bestowed the village of Klьčevišta and its church of the Mother of God together with the hamlet Brodcь, vineyards, fruits, bought estates and all rights to the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed the gift of Župan Radoslav in the chrysobull charter for the monastery (I ješte priloži carьstvo mi crьkvi carьstva mi Arhaggelu sь hotěnijemь ljubimago vlastelina carьstvu mi Radoslava župana, selo Klьčevišta, sь crьkoviju Svetyje Bogorodice, i sь zaselkomь Brod᾿cemь, s vinogrady, sь ōvoštijemь, i s kupljenicami, i sь vsěmi pravinami, kako piše u hrisovulě Klьčevišt᾿komь što jestь zapisalь roditelь carьstva mi gospodinь kral).
Radovanь Person Mentioned in the inscription for Voihna from 1362/1374 and in the colophone of the manuscript of Lětovnik from 1386, which is now in the Synodal library manuscript collection (Nr. 148) in the State Historical Museum. He appers as a blagočьštivь i hristoljubivь gospodinь in the colophone. Voihna worked for him as a courtier before 1362/1374 († a se ležitь rabь boži Voihna dvoraninь Radovanovь mladь prěstavi se k.e. dьnь i bogь da prosti). He was the sponsor of the slavic version of the chronicle of Georgios Monachos (the so-called Lětovnikь). He commisioned in 1386 Rōmanь and Vasïlь, the scribes and monks from the Hilandar Monastery, to copy the manuscript. Rōmanь and Vasïlь wrote a colophone, where they anticipate Radovanь enjoying the lecture of the book in his house (I ispisa se sija kniga, lětopisьcь, vь Svetěi Gōrě, vь ōbytěli svetyje i carьskyje i čьstnije lavry prěsvetije bogorodice Hilandara blagočьštivomu i hristoljubivomu gospodinu Radovanu, ponježe vьshotě iměti siju knigu vь domu svojemь, i naslaždati se pročitanijem ōt njeje minuvšïih drevnïih car ōt Adama daže do potopa, i ōt potopa do Hrista, po Hristě blagočьstivyih carь i svetyih i duhovnosnïih mužïi daaže do carьstva Konstantina Irïnina syna. I togda igumьnьstvujuštu vь tomžde monastyri Hïlandari mitropolitu carьskago grada sěra kyr Savě, i pri njem ispisa se povelěnijem i potьštanijemь jaže ō njei ljubve radi gospodina Radovana čьstnomu starcu kyr Ïōasafu rukama mnogogrěšnih i směrennyhь taha monahь Rōmana i Vasïlïa).
Sifievь Person Mentioned in the ktitorial inscription of Jovan Oliver for the Monastery of Saint Archangels in Lesnovo from 1341 and in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan concerning the foundation of the bishopric of Zletovo from 1346/1347. He was a priest (pop Sifievь). The grand duke Jovan Oliver donated the Church of Saint Nicholas in Štip with the priest Sifievь (u štipě svety nikola pop sifievь). The Serbian Emperor confirmed the endowment of Jovan Oliver and enlarged it for the bishopric of Zletovo. It consisted of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Štip, the priest Sifievь with all patrimonial estate, land, field, vineyard and 20 čьbьrь (I šte priloži svetoje carьstvo mi episkopïi crьkvi Arhaggelu u Zletovoi, u gradu Štipu crьkvь svetago Nikoly pop Sifievu sь vsomь baštinomь i sь zemlomь i s niviemь i s vinogradi, i k. čьbьrь, i sь vsěmь ōtьtesomь crьkve te).
Simeōnь Person Mentioned in the charter of veliki sluga Jovan Oliver in favour of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane. He was the Hegumen of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane (igumenu Simeōnu). The Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane owned a deserted settlement site in Jastrebnica. Jovan Oliver, the veliki sluga of the Serbian lands and Pomorje, showed favour to Simeōnь, the hegumen of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane (ja sluga veli Ōliverь stvorih milostь gospodinu mi Svetomu Dimitriju iže u Kočěnehь, a na lice igumenu Simeōnu/a siju milostь učinihь u Kočaněhь na lice igumenu Simeōnu, da ōnь ōbladuje) and entrusted Todor with the task to settle Jastrebnica (Naidohь selište pusto Svetago Dimitrija u Jastrebnicě i podahь moga člověka Todora, koi mi se prěda izь Grьkь, po ruce da naseli ōmozi selo). Jovan Oliver issued between 1332 and 1341 a charter, which specified the rights and duties concerning the reinhabited monastic land.
Stajo Person Identical with Staniša 2? Mentioned in the inscription next to the portrait of a child on the west wall of the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. The depiction is part of the ktitorial composition. The wall painting of Stajo can be dated around 1360. His parents were Despot Dejanь? and Doja. His brother was Vitomirь. He was a member of a family, which sponsored the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. He is depicted as a child. His portrait is on the west wall of the naos. The wording of the inscription can be interpreted as follows (molba raba božija staja).
Stanislavь (2) Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Jovan Dragaš and his brother Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery on the Holy Mount Athos from the 1th June 1377. He was a nobleman in the service of the Hilandar Monastery (vlastelinь doma prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije). He was čelnik in Štip (čelʼnikь iže u Štipu Stanislavь). He had a son, who is mentioned in the charter from 26th March 1388, in which the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš confirmed the endowment of the Duke Dmitrь for the Church of Ascension in the town of Štip (čelʼnike Stanislava synь). He erected the Church of Sveti Vlasija (Saint Blaise) on his inherited property in the area possessed by the Hilandar Monastery. He donated the church to the Hilandar Monastery and requested the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš to confirm his endowment. The Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš issued on this ground the charter for the Hilandar Monastery (i vьspomenu carьstvu mi kako jestь sьzidalь crьkvь na svojei baštině vь oblastь domu prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije, svetago sveštenʼnomučenika Vlasija, mole carьstvo ni i trěbuje potvrьždenije carьstva mi jakože biti toi svetoi i božьstvʼnoi crьkvi vь vsaku svobodu podь oblastiju doma prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije i ježe carьstvu ni pravověrʼnoje jego porabotanije. Prošenije jego isplьnihomь, jako da si jestь svetaa i božьstvьnaa crьkvь sveti sveštenʼnomučenikь Hristovь Vlasije vь oblasti domu prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije neotjemljemь nikimь do věka, i sь ljudmi što si imaa u gradu).
Staniša (3) Person Mentioned in the founding inscription from the years 1314/1315 in the Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište. He was the son of Jovanь Dragoslavь and Jelena. His sister was Ana. In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Stanjevikь Nikola Person Identical with the nobleman Nikola, who is mentioned in the inscription above the southern entrance of the Church of the Holy Virgin in Drenovo? He was the petitioner of the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V concerning the donation of the Church of Saint Stephen in Konče with all its possessions to the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos from the 9th May 1366. He appears as "mnogovьzljublenni vlastelinь i brat carьstva mi" in the charter. He was the grand duke (veliki vojevoda). He became a land near the village Konče probably after 1346 from the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He erected the Church of Saint Stephen in the village of Konče (priloži i da mu potpiše carьstvo mi materi Bōžijei hilandarьskōi crьkьvь u Kon’či Svetago Stěfana što si jestь sьzidalь svoimь trudōm i ōtkupumь u svojei baštině zapisanoi, što mu jestь zapisalь i utvrьdilь roditelь carьstva mi, u baštinu do věki, svetopočivьši carь). The marble tomb slab, which was kept in the narthex of the Church of Saint Stephen in Konče, bore an inscription mentioning him as the grand duke and founder of the church († Nikola Stanevikь veliki voevoda ktitor). He donated people, vine stocks, fields and fruit trees (dade gospodinь vojevoda podь svetoga Stefana svetogorcemь: ljudi, lozija, nivija, vokija) to the Church of Saint Stephen in the village of Konče. On 9th May 1366 the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V carried out the desire of the grand duke Nikola Stanjević and donated the Church of Saint Stephen in Konče, several villages in the surrounding of the village Konče and other possessions to the Hilandar Monastery (I tuzi crьkьvь prilaga i potpisuje carьstvo mi materi Božijei halandarskōi, vь pomenь brata carьstva mi vojevode Nikole i vsěmi seli crьkve Svetago Stěfana...i sela ina koja se nahode u meteseh kōnčkihь, mala, golěma kude jestь posadilь vojevoda ōtroke svoje. I sijazi sela više pisanna Svetago Stefana da si ima i drži božьstvnnaja crьkьvi mati Božija Hilandarska s ljudmi, s vinogradi, s planinami, s vodeničijem, sь je livadijemь i prosto rekše sь vsěmi megjami i pravinami i sь vsěmь periōrōm selь tehь). His possessions near the village Konče, Lubnica and Trěskavec are mentioned in the land-inventory of the church of Saint Stephen in the village of Konče, which was created after the church became a possession of the Hilandar Monastery. He owned two so-called stlps (vojevodinь stlьpь podь Vodeni Dolь; i podь Ōhrьčevemi kukami stlьpь vojevodinь koi Ōhrьčь drьži i Luka podь vojevodinu vodenicu i stlьpь koi drži Ōhrьčь i Dragina livade), a field (niva vojevodina na brode Prьševьskomь), a mill (trěbežь ōtroka Novakova konь mlina vojevodina), a watermill (vojevodina vodenica) and a vineyard (niva Dodejeva nadь lozijemь vojevodinemь). He donated an illuminated gospel manuscript (Hilandar Nr. 14) written by the monk Theōktistь to the Hilandar Monastery (Azь rabь Hristovь Stanjevikь velikyi voevoda Nikola priložihь sii světii i božьstvьnii tetravan’gelь prěčistoi Bogorodici hilan’darьskoi i molju jegože izvoli Bogь igumena i vsu bratiju vь domu svetije Bogorodice hilan’darьskyje ili gos’podьstvujušta srьbskoju zem’ljeju sije směreno trudoljubije ne ōtneti ōt domu Bogorodice hilan’darьskyje).
Stefanь (1) Person Mentioned in the inscription accompanying his painted portrait in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The portrait of Stefan was painted probably between 1365 and 1371. He was the son of sevastokratorь Vladko (synь sevastokratora Vlatka). The painted portrait of a young adult Stefanь is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača next to Vladislava.
Tehoslaba (Tihoslava) Person Mentioned in the Greek inscription on the wall in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. Her wall painting can be dated around 1340. Her husband was Georgios. She had a son. She is portrayed on the western wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint George in Chonuche (Gorni Kozjak). The greek ktitorial inscription has been preserved between the painting of her husband Georgios and the depiction of her son. According to the proposed reconstruction it attests that Tehoslaba (Tihoslava) was the founder of the church (ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΚΕ Η ΣΙΝΕΥΝΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΤΗΧΟΣΛΑΒΑΣ ΚΤΗΤΟΡΙΣΑΣ).
Vitomirь (2) Person Identical with Vitomirь 3? Mentioned in the inscription next to the portrait of a young man on the west wall of the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. The depiction is part of the ktitorial composition. The wall painting of Vitomirь can be dated around 1360. His parents were Despot Dejanь? and Doja. His brother was Stajo. He was a member of a family, which sponsored the Church of Saint John the Theologian at the Zemen Monastery. He is depicted as a young man. His portrait is on the west wall of the naos. The wording of the inscription can be interpreted as follows (molba raba božija vitomira).
Vladislava (2) Person Mentioned in the inscription accompanying her painted portrait in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača. The portrait of Vladislava was painted probably between 1365 and 1371. She was married to sevastokratorь Vladko and therefore held the title sevastokratorica. Her sons were Stefanь and Ugleša. The painted portrait of Vladislava is preserved on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača next to the image of Vladko.
Vladojevikь Mladěnь Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in favour of the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren from 1347/1348. His mother and his family are attested in the charter. He and his family erected the Church of Holy Saviour (Sveti Spas) in Prizren. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated the Church of Holy Saviour in Prizren with all its possessions to the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. He offered Mladěnь the Church of Saint Andrew (or the church, which belonged to Andričь) in Ōhrid instead. The property exchange was confirmed in the charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren in accordance to the law: church for church, village for village, vineyard for vineyard and mill for mill (I simь ōbrazomь zaměnihь crьkvь Spasa u Mladěna Vladojevikja i u matere jego i u vsega rodьstva jego, rek’še h’titorьst’va ego, i za vse sela s ljud’mi i zemlomь i s vinogradi i sь vsěmi pravinami iže se nahoděše crьkve te, ili u gradu ili u župě ili indě gdě ljubo, nihь volomь i nihь hotěnijemь, a ne někoju nuždeju, zaměnihь i dahь zaměnu u Ohridě An’dričju crьkvь za crьkvь, sela za sela, vinograde za vinograde, mline za mline i što jestь imala crьkvь tazi ōt prěžde, vse mu da carьstvo mi, i zapisahь Mladěnu i jegově materi da si drьže vь město segazi u baštinu kako jestь drьžalь Spasa takozi da si drьži Andričju, a Mladěnь ni jegovь rodimь da vekje ne poište onezi baštine, ni crьkve Spasove iže jestь u Prizrěně).
Voihna (3) Person He lived before 1362/1374. He was the subject of the inscription on the stone gravestone, which was found in the Church of Saint George (Saint Archangel) near Konjuh. He was the courtier of Radovanь († a se ležitь rabь boži Voihna dvoraninь Radovanovь mladь prěstavi se k.e. dьnь i bogь da prosti).
Voihna (4) Person He wrote a graffiti on the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes between 1340–1350 in the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak. He worked as a gramatikь. He came from the Tetev Katun. His graffiti has been preserved in the upper part of the fresco of Christ Antiphonetes, which is in the narthex of the Church of Saint George in Gorni Kozjak (azь gramatikь voihna ōt teteva katuna).
Places (32)
Name Class Begin End Description
Chonuche (Konjuh), Church of the Saint Archangel (Saint George) Place The Church of Saint George near Konjuh is a single aisle building with a protruding Eastern apse. Svetozar Radojčić identified the building as a church of the Saint Archangel. He used the fresco in the lunette above the entrance (now vanished) as evidence for his identification.
Church of Sveti Prokopie Place The Church of Sveti Prokopie (the Saint Prokopios) is mentioned in the Slavic donor inscription of the Monastery Lěsnovo (1) from the year 1340/41 as a monastic property (i svety prokopie). In the founding charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV. Dušan for the Eparchy of Zletovo with its seat in the Monastery Lěsnovo (1) from the year 1346/47 is specified that the Church of Sveti Prokopie was located in Drěnovь dolь (I u Drěnově dolě crьkvь svetago Prokopija). The Serbian local ruler Konstantin Dragaš donated on the 15th August 1381 the Monastery Lěsnovo (1) with all its possessions, including the Church of Sveti Prokopie in Drěnovь dolь (I u Drěnove Dolě crьkvь Svetago Prokopija sь naměstijemь i sь baštinoju crьkve te), to the Hilandar Monastery.
Dubravica, Church of Saint Demetrius Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin (reigned 1282-1321) donated the settlement site of Dubravica together with hunting grounds for fish and animals as well as uncultivated land (zabel) to the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje. In the subsequent border delimitation a Church of Saint Demetrius is mentioned (Dade kraljevьstvo mi crьkvi Svetago Georgija selište imenujemo Dubravice niže Tavora, s lovištemь ribnymь i zvěrnymь, i sь nivijemь; blato i dubravica; Dubravice do mege Svetago Dimitrija pod zabělomь, i do druma careva koi grede na Pšinju, i do Mela, ta putemь do děla, ta po dělu do mege Svetago Dimitrija).
Gornji Matejevac, Latin Church Place The Church in situated in Gornji Matejevac, near the city of Niš. It is a single-nave building in the shape of a concise elongated inscribed cross (divided into three bays) with a dome. The dome is octagonal on the outside, with four windows. The later added narthex leans against its Western side, and occupies a slightly smaller area than the nave. To the East is a semicircular altar apse, vaulted with a semi-calotte. The Church got its name 'Latin' in the 16th century when the Catholics (people from Dubrovnik, the Latins) were using it.
Gostivar, Monastery Place In the list of 14 abbots of the Serbian church the Abbot Danil from the Monastery of Gostivar occupies the eleventh place (gostivarskii Danilь). According to Seliščev the ruins of the monastery could be seen near the church of Saint Demetrius, built in the 19th century.
Htětovo, Monastery of the Holy Virgin Place The Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo appears for the first time in the document collection of the Archbishop of Ohrid Demetrios Chomatenos. One monk from the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo Gerasimos claimed damages for the properties, which were illegally extorted from his relative by the Priest Moschos (Ὁ γὰρ ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἄνω Πολόγου ὁρμώμενος καὶ ἐν τῇ σεβασμίᾳ μονῇ τῆς ὑπεραγίας δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου τῇ ἐν Κτεατόβῃ ἀσκούμενος μοναχὸς Γεράσιμος). In the list of 14 abbots of the Serbian church the abbot Theōdorь from the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo occupies the tenth place (htětovskii Theōdorь). The Serbian king Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, together with his son the Young King (mlad kralь) Uroš, confirmed old and several new possessions to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo. The Serbian emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo with villages to the Monastery of Hilandar (U Polozě crьkovь Mati božija Htětovska i sь seli). The monastery was abandoned and fell into decay during the later Ottoman period. The building material from the monastery was used in the construction of the nowadays ruined Baltepe fortress.
Jad(o)varce, Church Sveti Nikola Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated together with his son, the Young King (mlad kralь) Uroš, the church of St. Nikola near Jadvarce with the priest Draj, his family, place, boundaries and all rights to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo (U Jadvar᾿cěhь crьkovь Svety Nikolaje, što priloži kraljevьstvo mi Svetoi Bogorodici Htětovskoi, popa Draju sь rodomь i sь městomь, sь megami i sь vsěmi pravinami). The Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan donated the church of St. Nikola near Jadvarce, previously bestowed to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo, to the Monastery of Hilandar (I vь Jadovarcehь crьkovь Svety Nikolaje, što priloži carьstvo mi Bogorodici Htětovskoi popa Draju i sь rodōmь i sь městomь i sь megjami i sь vsěmi pravinami).
Klustobista, Monastery of the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel Place 2,5 km to the North of the village of Klustobista (Kučevište) lies the Monastery of the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel on the Southern slopes of the Skopska Crna Gora. No medieval written sources have been preserved on its history. The monastery's church is a triconchos with an octahedral dome. Its construction is dated to the period from 1371 to 1392. Its narthex in the West has its entrance in the South, while the naos is accessed through the narthex and a door in the Western wall. The monastery's church has a three-sided apse. Above the entrance to the naos (on the inner side) a donor inscription in Slavonic from the year 1591 is preserved. The frescoes are dated to the 16th, 17th and the end of the 19th / beginning of the 20th centuries. The monastery's church is surrounded by adjoining buildings. The monastery's main entrance lies in the South-East, while a side entrance is located in the North-East.
Kokÿno Place In the accounting records of the Ragusan merchant Mihailo Lukarević from Novo Brdo a certain "Radiuoj Tatich de Chochina in Nagorizno" is mentioned. The village of Kokÿno is named in the Pšinski pomenik from the 15th century. Moreover, the village of Kokÿno is registered as Korkino in the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from 1519 and from the years 1570 to 1572.
Kočane, The Monastery of Saint Demetrius Place The Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane owned a deserted settlement site in Jastrebnica. Jovan Oliver, the veliki sluga of the Serbian lands and Pomorje, showed favour to Simeōn, the hegumen of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane (ja sluga veli Ōliverь stvorih milostь gospodinu mi Svetomu Dimitriju iže u Kočěnehь, a na lice igumenu Simeōnu) and entrusted Todor with the task to settle Jastrebnica (Naidohь selište pusto Svetago Dimitrija u Jastrebnicě i podahь moga člověka Todora, koi mi se prěda izь Grьkь, po ruce da naseli ōmozi selo). Jovan Oliver issued between 1332 and 1341 a charter, which specified the rights and duties concerning the reinhabited monastic land.
Kožle, Church of St. Nikola Place The forged transcript A of the collective charter of Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of Chilandar reports that the Church of Saint Nikola in Kozle together with the village, hamlets and all rights was granted to the Monastery of Saint Nikita near Skopje and afterwards to the Tower of Hrusija in the vicinity of the Chilandar Monastery by the Serbian king (I dahь..i Svetago Nikolu u Kozʼli i sь selomь i sь zaselijami, i sь vʼsěmi pravinami. To vʼse utʼvrьdivь i zapisavь dahь Svetomu Nikitě, a Svetago Nikitu dahь mojemu pirʼgu sь vʼsěmь jego utʼvrьždenijemь). The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan together with his son and his wife donated the Church of Saint Nicholas on the river Pčinja under the fortress Kozlje, which was founded by his grandfather Uroš, for life to the metropolitan of Serres. They granted him all rights of the church together with the land, the people, the vineyards, watermills, bought estates, estates given for the sake of soul and hunting grounds. After the death of Jakob, the metropolitan of Serres, the rights should devolve on the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. (Izьobrěte carьstvo ni hramь velikago arhïjereja Hrïstova i čjudotvor᾿ca Nikoli, vь městě naricajeměmь na P᾿šini podь Kozljemь, jegože sьzda praroditelь carьstva mi svety kralь Urōšь, i nastoještïimi vrěmen᾿mi porušenь, i vlasteli nasiljajemь, ili istěje rešti poměrop᾿šenь...prijem᾿ši vo rucě svoi blagověrna i hristoljubivaa carьstva mi carica kira Jeleni, jako biti jei vьtoromu htitoru sego božьstvьnago hrama svetago Nikoly…i dastь svojeju rukoju si božьstvnyi hramь svetago Nikoly mol᾿bniku carstva ni prěōsvešten᾿nomu mitropolitu sěr᾿skomu kirь Jakovu, da si jo ima i napravlja sь nikymь neōtjemljemu do svojego živōta vь poměnь carьstva ni; i paky po smr᾿ti mitropolita sěr᾿skoga kirь Iakōba, si svety i božьstvnyi hramь svetago Nikoly da si ima monastyrь carьstva mi svetago arhistratiga Mihaila I Gabrïila u Prizrěně, sь vsěmi pravinami iže jestь zapisalo carьstvo mi vь hrisovulě Svetago Nikoly i vь hrisovulě arhistratiga Mihaila I Gabrïila, sь zemlomь i sь ljud᾿mi, i s vinogradi, i s voděnicami, i s kupljenicami, i sь zadušьninami, i sь lovišti, prosto rek᾿še sь vsěmi pravinami…A se megje zemli crьkovnoi Svetago Nikoly: ōtь broda pšin᾿skoga podь gradomь prěko brьda podь gradь na Grьličinь Kami, i ōtь Grьličina Kamena vse nizь P᾿šinju do Ratilьca, i ōtь Ratilьca prěko u Veliku, i paky ōtь togažde broda p᾿šin᾿skoga putemь na brьdo prěma gradu, i těmьzi voznikomь, kako grede kol᾿nikь na Blat᾿ce u Veilju Lok᾿vu, i ōtь lokve u velii dubь, i ōtь velijega duba pravo nizь dolь nizь Ōsikov᾿cь u Veliku).
Krьpeno, Church of Sveti Georgij Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan granted together with his son, the Young King (mlad kralь) Uroš, the village of Krьpeno with the domain of Pribac, the church of Sveti Georgij and the family, retinue, people settled here by Pribac, place, water-mills, gardens, hay harvests, meadows, hill, boundaries and all rights to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin in Htětovo (I selo Krьpena, što priloži kraljevьstvo mi Svetoi Bogorodici Htětovьskoi, Pribca sь crьkoviju Svetymь Geōrgyjemь i sь rodom i sь dvorani, s ljudmi što je priselilь Pribʼcь, sь městom i s vodenicami, sь ōgradijemь, sь sěnokosy, s livadami, sь brьdomь, sь vsěmi megami i pravinami).
Lešok, Church of the Holy Mother of God Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski donated the Church of the Holy Mother of God located in Lower Polog near Lešok and and three estates of the priest not far away, which were known as bishop’s court since time immemorial, to the bishopric of Prizren (I tako i u Dolnijemь Polozě u Lěšcě crkьvь svetyje bogorodice i pri njei tri stasi popovske što se zove dvorь piskopovь ōtь věka, da jestь svobodno ōt vsěhь rabotь kraljevьstva mi i podanьkь, kako je i ōtь isprьva bylo).
Lešok, Church of the Sveti Athanasij Place After the year 1308 the church of Sveti Athanasij in Lešok was found by the Hieromonk Antonij (Izvoleniemь ōca i vьplьšteniemь sina i pospěšeniemь svetago duha azь eriomonaahь Anthonie pridohъ i rastježahь i raskopahь gabryje i uravnihь bregove i načehь si hramь zidati svetago athanasija vь dni kralja milutina i vtorago kralja sina mu stefana i tretiego kralja sina mu dušane). Between the years 1346 and 1355 Antonij was appointed Bishop of Lower Polog and his name was changed to Ioannikij (i prizva patriarha blьgarskago i arhiepiskupa srьbskago iōanikija i stvori zborь u skopi i blagosloviše ego na carьski sanь i bystь prvonastolny carь srbskoi zemli i grčkoi i pomorskoi arhiepiskupa iōanikija blagosloviše na patriarhiju srbskoi zemli vь to carstvo blagosloviše anьtonija na episkupstvo dolnemu pologu prvonastolna po izvoleniju božiju prětvoriše ime jemu iōanikie poneže něe bilo prěge episkupь polozě).
Modriče, Monastery Place In the list of 14 abbots of the Serbian church the Abbot Vartolomej from the Monastery in Modriče occupies the ninth place (modričskii vrьdoloměi). Tomoski assumed, that the village of Modriče is identical with nowadays Pirok in Polog.
Nagoričino, Church of Saint George Place According to the Life of Saint Prohor Pčinjski (11th c.) Prohor settled in a small cave in the deserted area of Nagoričino in Žegligovo as a hermit (vь glubokuju pustynnju Nagoričeskuju). In Nagoričino also his hermitage (cave) is to be found. The original construction of the Church of Saint George in Nagoričino is dated to the 11th century and associated with Saint Prohor Pčinjski or the Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (reigned 1068-1071). The Life of Saint Joakim Osogovski from the 12th century gives an account on the building activity of an anonymous Emperor (hram prpodbnomu vъ ime svjatogo velikomčenika Hristvo Gjeōrgia). The church fell without doubt into disrepair in the last quarter of the 13th century. According to the Slavonic inscription at the Western entrance to the narthex, the church was renewed by the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin (reigned 1282-1321) in the year 1313. In this inscription a certain abbot called Andonij is also mentioned. This hint suggests that a monastery existed at that time near the church itself (Izvoleniemь božiemь sьzda sja domь svetago i velikoslavnago mjačenika Hristova Geōrgijě vь dny svjatorodnago i prěvysokago kralě Uroša Milutina, bogomь samodrьžьcu vsei srbьskoi zemli i primorьskoi, pri bogočьstivěi kralici Simonidě, i pri igumeně Andony, v lěto 6821 [1313]). According to the Slavonic inscription from 1318 in the interior, the church was decorated with frescoes by order of the Serbian King Milutin under the abbot Benjamin (Božiemь izvoljenijemь sьzʼda se ōt osnovanie, i popisa se, čьstnii hramь podaijemь vsakiim prevysokago krala Stefana Uroša, vь lěto 6826, pri igumeně Beniamine). Another inscription in the interior above the Western entrance has not been preserved. Between 1300 and 1318/21 a certain anagnost Radin from Nagoričino in Žegligovo (anagnosta Radina Nagoričanina izь Žegligova) wrote a gospel for the priest Zagoranin in Sušica. The old Serbian Genealogies (rodoslovi) and Annals (letopisi) report that the Serbian King Milutin had founded or endowed numerous monasteries, amongst others also the Monastery of Saint George in Nagoričino (Nagoričino svetomu Geōrgiju; i vь Nagoričine svetago Gjeōrgija; i druguju vь Nagoričinu; i vь Nagoričine Georgia). In the same sources Žegligovo and Nagoričino are subsumed in one geographical unit (i u Nagoričinu na Žegligovo crьkov svetago velikomučenika Georgia; i u Nagoričinu na Žegligovu crkovь svetago velikomučenika Georgia; i u Nagoričinu na Žegligovu crkovь svetago mučenika Georgia; i u Nagoričinu na Žegligovo crkovь svetago velikomučenika Georgia; i u Nagoričinu na Žegligovu crkovь svetago velikomučenika Georgija). The Lives of the Serbian Kings and Archbishops by Archbishop Danilo II and his successors confirm the renewal of the church under the Serbian King Milutin (i crkovь svetaago Georgьgija nagoričьskaago). The abbot Benjamin from Nagoričino is named in the list of abbots in two Serbian charters (1317 and one forgery from the 15th century, where he is referrred to as nagoričkii Beniaminь, respectively nagorički Beniaminь). According to the aforesaid Lives of the Serbian Kings and Archbishops, the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski (reigned 1321-1331) gathered his army in the forefront of the Battle of Velbužd in the first half of 1330 on a field called Dobrič, located in today's South-Eastern Serbia at the confluence of the rivers Južna Morava and Toplica. He intended to confront the Bulgarian Tsar Michael III Šišman (reigned 1323-1330) at this place. When messengers informed him that the Bulgarian Tsar had intruded Serbian territory near the castle of Zemen on the upper reaches of the river Struma, where the then border of the Serbian Kingdom lay, he set his army in march and first moved to Nagoričino, where he prayed in the Church of Saint George (priide vь monastirь svoi kь svetomu mučeniku Hristovu Georьgiju Nagoričьskomu). The victory of King Stefan Dečanski at the Battle of Velbužd on 28 July 1330 is described by the Serbian annals and the aforesaid Lives of the Serbian Kings and Archbishops. According to the Serbian annals, King Stefan Dečanski captured Michael Šišman and brought him to Žegligovo (aduxere eum in Segligovo), where the Bulgarian Tsar died and was buried in the Church of Saint George in the village of Nagoričino (et sepulchro datus est in Ecclesia sancti Georgii in pago Gorichina). On the contrary, the Lives of the Serbian Kings and Archbishops describe that the Bulgarian ruler had already died in the battle. His corpse was brought to the Church of Saint George in the place called Nagoričino (prěnesenu Georьgija vь městě rekoměmь Nagoričьskaago) and entombed there. In a ledger containing a list of debtors and guarantors of the Ragusan merchant Mihailo Lukarević from Novo Brdo, dated to the period from 1432 to 1438, a certain Radiuoj Tatich from Nagoričino, who was born in Kokÿno (de Chochina in Nagorizno/Nagorzno) is mentioned. On his campaign against the town of Skutari (now Shkodra in Albania) in May 1474 the Ottoman Pasha of Rumeli stayed with his army in Nagoričino, which was three days of journey away from Kosovo Polje (Bassa Romanie cum numeroso et valido exercitu dimissus est in loco dicto Nagoricino, distanti a Cossovo itinere dierum trium). In the Pšinski pomenik (15th c.) Nagoričino is attested as Staro Nagoričino ("Old Nagoričino"), while the toponym of Nagoričino is obviously used for Mlado Nagoričino. Nagoričino is registered in the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from 1519 with the attribute "Staro" and from the years 1570 to 1572 as Gühne Nogoriç, Köhne-i Nagoriç and Köhne-yi Nogoriç (with the meaning of "Staro Nogorič"). The assumption that Edward Brown (1668-1669, published in 1673) saw the Church of Saint George in Nagoričino, while passing through Kumanovo, is probably incorrect ("near which [scil. Kumanovo] there is still a Greek Monastery, upon the side of the hills"). Rather he wrote about Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska in the Skopska Crna Gora, to the West of Kumanovo. In 1704 the Serbian scribe Jerotej Račanin refers to Nagoričino as 40 churches ("40 crkvy" or Turkish "krka klisa"). From the viewpoint of Art History, it should be emphasised that the Serbian King Milutin had the upper part of the Church of Saint George built on the destroyed walls of an older edifice in 1312/13 as evidenced by the aforesaid inscription above the Western entrance. The frescoes in the church were completed in 1317/18 according to the aforesaid inscription from 1318 in the interior and were executed by the painters Michael and Eutychius. The Church of Saint George is in the form of an inscribed cross with five domes, with barrel and groin vaults and a semicircular apse on the East (the altar space is relatively large and is continuing to the space of the nave), while the older edifice is clearly visible (especially on the Northern side of the church).
Odri, Church of Sveti Dmitrij Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin donated the village of Odri in Polog with the church of Sveti Dmitrij, people, summer pasture, all boundaries and rights to the Monastery of Gračanica. These properties were given to the monastery within the scope of an exchange of property between Gračanica and the Bishopric of Debar (I Bane u Suhogrьlě koi běhu takožde upisani vь ōtčině mi hrisovulě, i vzehь i dahь Svetomu Nikolě jepiskuplii dьbrьskoi, a za ne dahь zaměnu Svety Bogorodici gradčanьskoi u Polozě Ōdri crьkьovь Svetago Dmitrija sь ljudmi i sь planinomь, i sь vse mi megjami pravi mi koako si je imalo se to ōd iskoni).
Pelince, Medieval Church Sveti Arangel Place To the North of the village of Pelince in the field of Sveti Arangel (Saint Archangel) the ruins of a small, single nave medieval church are to be found. At the beginning of the 20th century the church was called Saint George (Sveti Djordje). Nevertheless, the current toponym points to an oral tradition of the existence of a church of Saint Archangel Michael.
Potoča, Church Sveti Vrači Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski confirmed the donation of his father Stefan Uroš II Milutin. The latter granted the church of Sveti Vrač(i) (the Saint Cosmas and Damian) near Potoča, located in Upper Polog, with vineyards, fields, bought estates, smallholdings given for the sake of salvation and retinue to the Bishopric of Prizren (U Gornemь Polozě crkьvь Svetyju Vračju u Potočahь, što jestь pridalь roditeь kraljevьstva mi, i s vinogradi, i s nivijemь, i s kupljenicami i zadušninami i z dvorani).
Ribnica, Church of St. George Place The Church of St. George is situated in Ribnica (today's Podgorica, Montenegro) where, according to legend, the Serbian Grand Župan Stefan Nemanja (reigned 1166/68-1196) was baptised. It is a single-nave edifice with an apse, a dome and a bell tower on its Western side. The church was rebuilt and extended several times. Along the Eastern side of the building researchers revealed the remains of an older building. Its walls were used as the foundation walls of the apse, which was extended further to the Northern and Southern side as well as to the interior of the building, indicating the continuity of the sacred place and ancient settlement. Furthermore, the remains of the older building were used as construction material for the new one. There are numerous written accounts on the church. The Church of St. George is similar to the Church of St. Peter in Omiš.
Sarandaporь Place The Vita of Saint Joakim Osogovski from the 12th century relates that the Saint came to the deserted mountains of Osogovo (vъ strani gōry pustiny Ōsogovskie). At first, he stayed in the vicinity of the village of Grad’cь (въ selě… Grad’cь). Then, he settled in a cave in Babinь Dōlь at the foot of the Osogovo Mountains (pōdkrilïe gory Osogovskïe) near the river Skupica (pri rěcě gljeměi Skupice). Finally, he went to a plot of land called Sarandaporь (vь pōdkrily gory Osogovskye na městě gljemě Sarandaporь). A certain priest called Theodorь came, after the death of Saint Joakim Osogovski (approximately 1105?) and during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (reigned 1143-1180), from the village of Osmir Dolě, allegedly in Ovče Pole, to Sarandaporь (Vъ dni tie běše ierei imenemь Theōdorь vь stranah Ovčepolьskyh. Vь vsi zovoměi Osmir dolě). Theōdorь was led by divine inspiration and came with the blessing of the Saint. He became a monk and changed his name to Teofan. He built a church in honor of Saint Joakim Osogovski and kept his relics there. He was also the first abbot of the monastery. A monk called Arsenije from the city of Veles (ōt Velesa grad) experienced his conversion in the monastery's church. The genealogical tables of the Serbain rulers attest that the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin (reigned 1282-1321) founded several monasteries, including that of Saint Joakim (Sarandaporь svetomu otcu Їōakimu). Actually, King Milutin did not found it, but gave order to renew it. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski (reigned 1321-1331) crossed, in the run-up to the battle of Velbužd on 28 July 1330, the region of Slavište. He followed the upper course of the Kriva reka and reached Kriva Palanka, where he prayed with his noblemen at the Monastery of Sarandaporь in front of the relics of Saint Joakim Osogovski (Takožde i kь svetomu otьcu Ioakimu suštemu vь Saranьdaporě molьbu tvore prišьdь kь grobu těla jego). News reached him in Sarandaporь that the Bulgarian Tsar Michael III Šišman (reigned 1323-1330) had arrived at the castle of Zemen and had begun to pillage the surrounding area. The Byzantine short chronicles relate that the Ottoman Sultan Bāyezīd I (reigned 1389-1402) handed over the relics of the Saint Ilariōn of Moglena to the Serbian nobleman Konstantin Dragaš in 1393. According to this written source, Konstantin Dragaš, who resided in Žegligovo (ὁποῦ ἐκάθετον εἰς τὸν Ὀζίγλοβο), brought them to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael (sic!) in Sarandaporь (τοῦ ἤφερεν εἰς τὸ ἅγιον μοναστήριον τοῦ Ταξιάρχου εἰς τὸ Σαραντάπωρον). The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (reigned 1451-1481) stayed in the Monastery of Sarandaporь in 1463 on his campaign to Bosnia (i dohodi u manastirь Sarandaporь na Krivoi rěcě). The Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) decided in 1474 to give a donation of 20 perper to the Monastery of Sarandaporь (elemosinam monasterio Sancti Joachim partium Bulgarie). Arsenij, who was the abbot of the Monastery of Sarandaporь, died in 1488 (prěstavi se igumenь Sarandaporskyi, kyr Arsenїe). 41 Monks lived in the monastery according to the Ottoman Defter from 1519. Sarandaporь is registered as Sveti Otec in Egri Dere (Kriva Palanka; Kriva reka) in the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from the years 1570 to 1572. The monastery had three churches and twelve chapels. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1585 and rebuilt afterwards.
Skopje, Lower Town, Church of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands" Place The Church of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands", which is mentioned several times in the charter of the Serbian king Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of St. George-Gorg in the year 1300, played an important role in the history of medieval Skopje. Probably the church had already existed in Byzantine times. It could well be that she is identical with a church, which is mentioned in 1204 (et episcopus licet indignus sanctissime ecclesie dei genetricis de Scopia Marinus). The Church of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands" was initially the see of the local bishop and then (after 1346) of the Metropolitan of Skopje, which is, amongst others, attested in a Serbian charter of the emperor Stefan Uroš IV. Dušan from 1347 (… такожде и подвигосмо всечьстноую Скопию, чьстнаго и славнаго града Скопиꙗ Троѥроучицоу, на прьвопрѣстолноую митрополию, поискасмо пискоупиѥ подложити вь область митрополиѥ светые Троѥроучице Скопьскыѥ, …). The Metropolis of Skopje is hereby indicated as "prvoprestolna" (πρωτόθρονος). The beauty of the church is described by the Byzantine diplomat Theodōros Metochitēs in his account of the embassy (Πρεσβευτικός) to the Serbian royal court in 1299 (ἐν δή τινι λοιπὸν τῶν κατὰ χώραν ἱερῷ καλλίστῳ τῆς Θεοτόκου γιγνόμεθα). She was refurbished by king Milutin (и сьзда [...] црьковь глаголѥмоу Троѥроучица вь славьнѣмь градѣ Скопии). Her name derives from the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands", which was donated to this church by the Serbian Saint Sava around 1230 and which is today kept in the Serbian monastery of Chilandar on the Holy Mount Athos. Stefan Uroš IV Dušan was crowned emperor in the Church of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands", while his son Stefan Uroš V ordered the church to be enlarged and decorated. It fell into disrepair and vanished most probably after the Ottoman conquest of Skopje at the end of the 14th century, but at the latest in the 17th century. Radoslav Grujić localised the Church of the Mother of God of "the Three Hands" approximately between the lower course of the river Serava and the Upper Town of Skopje, which is confirmed by the context of king Milutin's charter for the Monastery of St. George-Gorg from the year 1300.
Spasovica Place According to the Lives of Serbian Kings and Archbishops by the Serbian Archbishop Danilo II (ca. 1270/75-1337) and his successors, the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski (reigned 1321-1331) gathered his army in the forefront of the Battle of Velbužd in the first half of 1330 on a field called Dobrič (Dobričko polje), located in today's South-Eastern Serbia at the confluence of the rivers Južna Morava and Toplica. He intended to await the Bulgarian Tsar Michael III Šišman (reigned 1323-1330) for a battle at this place. As messengers informed him that the Bulgarian Tsar had reached the region near the castle of Zemen at the Upper Strymon (Struma), where the then border of the Serbian Kingdom lay, he also set his army in motion and moved to Nagoričino, where he prayed in the Church of Saint George (priide vь monastirь svoi kь svetomu mučeniku Hristovu Georьgiju Nagoričьskomu). After that he crossed the region of Slavište, followed the upper course of the river Kriva Reka and arrived at Kriva Palanka, where he prayed in the nearby Monastery of Joakim of Osogovo (Sarandaporь). According to the Lives of Serbian Kings and Archbishops the Bulgarian Tsar came probably from his residence in Veliko Tărnovo and went through the town of Vidin to the castle of Zemen. Stefan Dečancski advanced by forced march to the river Sovolštica. According to the Byzantine Emperor and historian John Kantakuzenos (reigned 1347-1354) Michael III moved to a place, which was called Belmasdis (ἐν τόπῳ Βελμάσδιν, today's Kjustendil) by the locals, where he pitched his camp. The Byzantine historian Nikephoros Gregoras relates that Michael III invaded the land of the Serbs (ἐς τὴν τῶν Τριβαλλῶν χώραν) in the place, where the river Strymon has its source (ποταμοῦ τοῦ Στρυμόνος εἰσὶν αἱ πηγαί). Before the decisive battle, the Bulgarian army encamped in the area between the present villages of Šiškovci and Kopilovci. The battle took place on Saturday, 28 July, 1330 and ended with a victory of the Serbian army. Stefan Dečanski killed or captured Michael III Šišman and brought him to Žegligovo (adumere eum in Segligovo), where he was buried in the Church of Saint George in the village of Nagoričino (et sepulchro datus est in Ecclesia sancti Georgii in pago Gorichina). The Serbian King erected the Church of the Ascension of Jesus Christ (i crьkovь svetago vьznesenïa sьzdati tu; also called Sveti Spas, therefore Spasovica) on the hill of Spasovica in memory of the battle. The Church of Sveti Spas does not exist anymore. The entire hill is now abundantly covered with coniferous trees that have been planted systematically. On the highest point of the hill there is a clearing, on which no traces or remains of the church exist. Originally, the entire plain of Kjustendil could be overlooked from this point, which is now impossible due to the vegetation. The Church of Sveti Spas began to decline most likely in the 16th or 17th centuries. Already at the beginning of the 20th century only parts of it were preserved, as can be seen from the documentation of the Bulgarian scholar Jordan Ivanov (1872-1947). In or after the Second World War the church was completely ruined. The published descriptions and the photographic evidence enable an approximate architectural reconstruction of the Church of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. It was a cross-domed church (with four pillars). Above the narthex in the West there were two domes, above the naos one dome (diameter: about 3,7 m). The church had a rectangular ground plan (about 12 m x 8 m). The main entrance was in the West (in the narthex), a second in the South (in the naos). The narthex and the naos were interconnected with a door. The construction of the church was most likely completed after the death of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski (after 1331).
Sveta Bogorodica Karpynska Place In a note (probably from 16th century), which is part of the "Gospel of Karpino" (Karpinsko evangelie) from the 14th century, the Sveta Bogorodica Karpynska (priloži ste bce Karpynske) and the village of Kanarevo are mentioned. The exact location of the Church of the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God in the village of Arhiljevica and of the village of Arhiljevice itself is unknown. There are several suggestions. One of them identifies the church with the Monastery Sveta Bogorodica Karpynska and the village of Arhiljevica with the village of Halinci. Another notice from 1592, which is written in the "Gospel of Karpino", attests the variant Krapino (vь monastyrь Krapino). Originally, there was a village called Karpino/Karbino in the vicinity of the monastery, but this village is already registered in the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from the years 1570 to 1572 as mezra Karbino (deserted village Karbino). It is not clear, which of both names (Krapino or Karpino) represents the older one. It is strongly assumed that there was a predecessor of the current church in the 14th century, on whose foundations the new church was built before 1592 (i.e. towards the end of the 16th century). The present church is a single-nave edifice with a main entrance in the West and a side entrance in the South. The apse consists of an atypical triconch. The church is composed of a narthex, a naos and the bema (frescoes from the end of the 16th century and from the end of the 19th century, iconostasis from 1606 and 1892). The church was renewed in 1892, and conservation work was done in 1987 and from 2009 to 2012.
Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska (Monastery Matejče) Place It is assumed that the church building was erected during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (1057-1059). The existence of the Church Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska is beyond doubt attested from the 14th century. The monastery is mentioned in the boundary description of the village of Črěševo, which forms part of a donation by the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin (reigned 1282-1321) to the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje (ta nad Svetuju Bogorodicu črьnogorьsku do Črьnoga kamene). The Vita of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V (reigned 1355-1371), written by the Serbian Patriarch Pajsije, reports that Stefan Uroš V and his mother Jelena completed the Church Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska after the death of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan (reigned 1331-1355) (I togda blagočьstivaa carica sь sinomь svoimь sьvršajutь crьkovь ostavšuju ōt blagočьstivago i prěvisokago cara Stefana vь črьnoi gori ne sьvršena i trudomь i podvigomь i pomoštïju prečistye vladičice naše i bogorodice i svoihь praroditeь pomoštïju i zastupljenïemь sьvrьšajutь crkьvь prěslavnuju vь pohvalu i slavu uspenïe prěčityje i prěblagoslovenïe vladičice naše i bogorodice i prisnoděvy marie i do dьnьsь iměnuetse črьnogorska bogorodica). It is unclear, whether the Church of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska is identical with the church in the Skopska Crna Gora above Žegligovo built by Jelena, the mother of Stefan Uroš V, which is attested in the Serbian genealogies (rodoslovi) and annals (letopisi) (u Črьmьnyje Gory, vyše Žegligova; eius vero mater aedificavit Ecclesiam in Nigro Monte, supra Segligovo). The Ottoman Sultan Murad I (reigned 1360-1389) might have passed by the Church Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska on his march against the Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović (reigned 1373-1389) before the battle on the Kosovo field (Kosovo Polje) in 1389. Evdokija Balšić commissioned the monk Gerasim in the Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska in 1409 to write the manuscript of the Dialogues (paterik) by Saint Gregory the Great (...sia božestvennaja kniga, glagoljemaa dialogь, ispisa se iže vь ōbitěli prěčityje i prěslaьnyje vladyčice naše bogorodice nerukotvorennyje čjudotvorice črьnogorьskye povelěnïem blagověrnyje i blagočьstivyje i hristoljubivyje gospogje despotice kyr Eudokyje, dьšti blagověrnago i hristoljubivago i velikago gospodina Gjurgja Balšikja...). The scribe Vladislav Gramatik resided in the Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska between 1457 and 1497. In 1479 he compiled a liturgical book (panegyrikon) in the Monastery at the foot of the Crna Gora in the region of Žegligovo (monastiri prěsvetyje vladičice naše bogorodice iže vъ podkrilïi Črьnye Gory, vь prědělě Žegligovʼcěm). The scribe Dimitrij Kantakuzin also temporarily resided in the monastery. The scribal notes of both copyists mention the Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska in the year 1469 (vь vьsečьstněmь monastiri prěsvetye bogorodice suštee iže v podkrilïi Črьnye Gory), 1473 (vъ vъsečъstněm monastiri prěsvetye vladičice naše bogorodice i prisnoděvy Marïe, suštee iže v podkrilïi Črъnye Gory), 1479 (vь vьsečьstněm monastiri prěsvetyje vladičice naše bogorodice iže vъ podkrilïi Črьnye Gory, vь prědělě Žegligovʼcěm) and 1480/81 (Vladislavu dïaku ōt Črьnogorskye bogorodice). The Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska is registered as "Holy Mother of God in Kara Donlu" or "Monastery Karadonlu with the second name Holy Mother of God" in the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from the years 1570 to 1572. In the 17th century (between 1647 and 1654) the Serbian Patriarch Gavrilo Rajić payed a visit to the Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska (Da se zna kogda pridohь azь arhiepiskopь Gavriilь vъ carьnogorsku bogorodicu). The British traveller Edward Brown saw most probably the Monastery of Sveta Bogorodica Črьnogorska, when he passed through the city of Kumanovo in 1668/69 (near which [scil. Kumanovo] there is still a Greek Monastery, upon the side of the Hills). The Church has a ground plan of an inscribed-cross with five domes, resembling those of Staro Nagoričine and Church of St. Panteleimon in Nerezi (near Skoplje), narthex and a three-partite apse. The central dome has a twelve-sided drum and is set on four massive pillars. The smaller domes, erected in the shape of octagons, are located in the corners of the building - the eastern ones are situated on the prosthesis and the deaconry, and the western ones above the narthex. The narthex is decorated with a modest architectural sculpture. The Church is vaulted with barrel and cruciform arches, placed on the walls, pillars and pilasters in the interior of the building. The façade is decorated with lesenes. This Church is a true representative of the building traditions of the Palaiologan epoch, such as Churches in Arta, Mistra and Thessaloniki. The Church has been fresco painted between 1348 and 1352, representing the largest painted ensemble on the Macedonian territory in the 14th century and the second largest in the Balkans.
The Monastery of the Holy Mother of God Zachlumestisa Place The inscription above the entrance door to the Church of the Holy Mother of God Zachlumestisa mentions the circumstances of the endowment in the year 1361. The church was erected at the expense of the kaisar Grgur. The painted decoration of the monastery was commisioned by Gregory, the Bishop of Devol (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τῆς ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Ζαχλουμήστισας διʹ ἐξοδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου καίσαρος Γούργουρα καὶ κτήτωρος ἀνιστορίθη δὲ παρὰ τοῦ πανιεροτάτου ἐπισκόπου Δεαβόλαιως καὶ πρωτοθρόνου κύρ Γρηγορίου καὶ κτῆτωρος ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Στεφάνου τοῦ Οὐροσιοι μηνὶ αὐγούστῳ κεʹ. ͵ϛωξθ ἰνδ. ιδʹ).
Treboš, Church of the Holy Mother of God Place The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski confirmed together with his son, the Young King Stefan (Dušan), the possession of fields near the Church of Holy Mother of God at Trhalě not far from Treboš, which had previously been taken by the people of Polog, to the Bishopric of Prizren. His father, King Milutin, together with the Bishops Damjan and Ilija took the fields from Žegr and they set his houses on fire. But the situation was resolved in its entirety only in the time of King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski. Stefan Uroš III Dečanski engaged the royal court and sent his royal representatives (Despot Dragoslav and Bishop Arsenij) personally to this area. After their inspection king Stefan Uroš III Dečanski reinstated the situation „as it was before“ (I u Trěboši pri crьkvi svetyje bogorodice pri Trьhalě nivije crьkovno što bylo ōt věka. I uzeli jesu byli Položani, i iznašьlь je roditelь kraljevьstva mi sь jepiskopomь Damijanomь i sь iepiskopomь Iliōmь, i ōtjelь ōt Žegra, i kušte mu popalilь; i pakь posla kraljevьstvo mi despota Dragoslava sь jepiskopomь Arsenijemь da ihь iznadju, da si je ima sveta crьkvi kako je isprьva bylo).
Trьnovac, Church of Sveta Petka Place A certain Nikodimь erected the Church of Sveta Petka above the village of Trьnovac. The church was donated by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan (reigned 1331-1355) with its metochion and all rights to the Monastery of Hilandar. Thus, Stefan Dušan added the church to the endowment of the Serbian nobleman Vlatko Paskačić and his Church of Sveti Nikola in Psača (I crьkvь svetu Pet’ku jaže jestь nad Trnov’ci Nikodimovu, s metehōmь teje i sь vsěmi pravinami).
Zabel Monastery Place The church of the monastery (katholikon) was built between 1852 and 1856 on the foundations of an old church, which was erected in 1330. Тhe church of the monastery is dedicated to the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God (Uspenie na Bogorodica or Golema Bogorodica). The katholikon has three naves, a central eight-sided dome and a five-sided apse in the East (with entrances in the West, South and North). The name of the monastery comes from the medieval Serbian term for uncultivated land (zabel). The place, where the monastery is located, is in the triangle between the villages Nikuljane, Staro Nagoričane and Čelopek.
Štip, Saint Archangel Michael Place Stefan Hrelja Dragovol (Stephanos Chreles) erected the Church of Saint Archangel Michael in the town of Štip. He granted the church with its possessions to the Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed his donation to the monastery between 1334 and 1336 (I prida kraljevьstvo mi crьkvь velikoslavnogo arhïstratiga Mihaila iže vь Štipu gradu jegože protosevastь Hrelja ōt osnovanija ljuboviju duše si sьzdalь i ukrasilь krasotami crьkvnymi, da budetь priložena crьkvi sïa monastiru slavnomu drьžavi našeje, iže jestь vь Svetěi Gorě, iže imenova se Hilandarь, vь pametь kraljevьstva mi i vь pametь jego, jakože izvoli se městu semu priložiti, iže jestь kupilь město u Štipu gradu ili dvorišta ili voděničije ili vinograde ili nivije).
Štip, The Church od Saint Nicholas Place The grand duke Jovan Oliver donated the Church of Saint Nicholas in Štip with the priest Sifievь (u štipě svety nikola pop sifievь). The Serbian Emperor confirmed the endowment of Jovan Oliver and enlarged it for the bishopric of Zletovo. It consisted of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Štip, the priest Sifievь with all patrimonial estate, land, field, vineyard and 20 čьbьrь (I šte priloži svetoje carьstvo mi episkopïi crьkvi Arhaggelu u Zletovoi, u gradu Štipu crьkvь svetago Nikoly pop Sifievu sь vsomь baštinomь i sь zemlomь i s niviemь i s vinogradi, i k. čьbьrь, i sь vsěmь ōtьtesomь crьkve te).
Štip, The Church of Saint Blaise Place The Church of Sveti Vlasije (Saint Blaise) was erected by the Čelnik Stanislavь on his inherited property in the area possessed by the Hilandar Monastery. Stanislavь donated the church to the Hilandar Monastery and requested the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš to confirm his endowment. The Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš issued on this ground the charter for the Hilandar Monastery (i vьspomenu carьstvu mi kako jestь sьzidalь crьkvь na svojei baštině vь oblastь domu prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije, svetago sveštenʼnomučenika Vlasija, mole carьstvo ni i trěbuje potvrьždenije carьstva mi jakože biti toi svetoi i božьstvʼnoi crьkvi vь vsaku svobodu podь oblastiju doma prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije i ježe carьstvu ni pravověrʼnoje jego porabotanije. Prošenije jego isplьnihomь, jako da si jestь svetaa i božьstvьnaa crьkvь sveti sveštenʼnomučenikь Hristovь Vlasije vь oblasti domu prěsvetije Bogorodice Hilanʼdarʼskije neotjemljemь nikimь do věka, i sь ljudmi što si imaa u gradu).