Charters of Despot Stefan to the Great Lavra Monastery

circumstances and unfavorable conditions, the heirs of Prince Lazar cared for the Athonite Monastery of Saint Athanasius. Several charters have survived that testify to the continuous assistance of the Lazarević family to the Great Lavra: that of the nun-princess Jevgenija of August 1, 1398 (which regulates the use of land previously donated to the Lavra, which the princess had unknowingly ceded to the spiritual father Sisoje), that of Despot Stefan of January 5, 1407 (by which he donated four villages to the Lavra), and that of Despot Stefan from 1414 or 1415 (which confirms the donations to the Lavra after the Turkish incursions), as well as his charter from 1427 - the last year of his reign.

In the eighteenth year of Despot Stefan's reign, as he himself says, that is, at the beginning of 1407, the eminent abbot Genadije came to him from the Great Lavra. The abbot asked the Despot to lend his support to the monastery, which Stefan graciously granted. As his gift, the Despot donated several villages to the Great Lavra. He freed these settlements from various taxes and levies, not only at that moment but also for the future. A special clause of the charter concerned the people who had abandoned these villages, fleeing from the Ottoman danger embodied by a certain Hasan. Hasan had evidently been plundering the villages that belonged to the Lavra. In the opinion of Olga Zirojević, this was a Turkish akın - a raiding expedition, of which there were many, and which probably took place not long before the Despot's charter was issued. The monastic authorities were given the right to return the refugees to their former holdings. In return, the monks of the Great Lavra were to celebrate a memorial service every year in the katholikon of the monastery in honor of Despot Stefan, following the custom that had existed for his predecessor, Emperor Stefan Dušan (1308–1355).

The introduction to this charter is especially interesting. In it Despot Stefan refers to the books of the Bible several times, quoting the Book of Exodus and alluding to the Gospel according to Matthew, the Gospel according to Luke, and the Second Epistle of the Apostle Peter. The account of the building of the Old Testament tabernacle reveals divine mercy and shows how God accepts every gift that man offers Him in faith. On the other hand, the introduction to the charter reveals what the motives of the Despot's patronage as founder were, and presents the Despot as a continuer of the Nemanjić tradition of founding endowments. Reading the introduction, we can understand the principles that guided Despot Stefan when he raised his endowment - the Manasija Monastery, whose construction began at roughly the time this charter was written.

The divine tabernacle, which was made not by man but by God Himself, is an image of the Christian churches, says the introduction to the text of the charter. God spoke in person to Moses on Mount Sinai, telling him to build and adorn the tabernacle according to the pattern He had shown him. As a great prophet, Moses allowed no one to refrain from taking part in the building of the Old Testament tabernacle. He commanded all the children of Israel to contribute - with gold, silver, precious stones, but also with the humblest of gifts. God, who is all-merciful, accepts all gifts given in faith - whether it be the widow's last mite or only a cup of cold water. Everyone contributed according to his means and good will, and thus this ancient tent of God was raised.