Blessed John the King of Serbia and his parents Saint Stephen and St Angelina

Commemorated on December 10

The life of the Serbian ruler Stephen Brankovich and his family was filled with instability and misfortune. After Serbia was seized in 1457 by the Turks, the then Serbian ruler’s middle son, Stephen (October 9), distinguished by a meek disposition and fine knowledge of Holy Scripture, went to the capital of Turkey after his sister had been given to Sultan Murat in marriage. Learning that the Turks had burned the Mileshevsk monastery with fanatic cruelty, St Stephen rose up to defend Serbia from oppression.

When he married Angelina (July 30), the daughter of the Prince of Albania, the Turks threatened St Stephen and his family with punishment. With his wife and three children he was forced to hide first in Albania, and then in Italy, where he died.

St Angelina transferred the incorrupt relics of her spouse to Kupinovo. At the end of the fifteenth century a son of the Righteous Stephen and Angelina, St John, became ruler of Serbia. The incorrupt relics of St John and his parents were afterwards glorified by many miracles.

TROPARION - TONE 4

Glorious art Thou who workest great wonders, / and who glorifies upon their deaths those who glorify Thee, / revealing their bodies incorrupt / and enriching Thy people through their wonderworking relics. / To the glory of Thy Holy Name, / Thou gavest us the relics of God-pleasing John, / who intercedes for our souls.

KONTAKION - TONE 8

Podoben: “O victorious Leader...” / O come, let us worthily praise the holy John, / the newly glorified servant of God’s grace, / the glory of our faith and our intercessor / who invites us to sing with grateful voices / and to glorify Him who glorifies His saints, / for he prays for those who celebrate his memory / and who sing to him: “Rejoice, O holy John, you newly blossomed flower!”

SOURCE:

SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2014(with 2013's link here also and further:, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008  and even 2007!):