St. Lazar & The Battle of Kosovo

Today is the commemoration of the Battle of Kosovo one of the most momentous events in Serbian history. It is also the feast (old calendar) of St. Lazar who is commemorated as a martyr by the Serbian Orthodox Church. The following is from Wikpedia.

The Battle of Kosovo Polje (Косовска битка or Битка ?а Косов?) was fought on St. Vitus' Day of 1389 (June 15 in Julian calendar) between Serbs and the Ottoman Empire.

The historical reality of this battle is a matter of conjecture, with little or conflicting evidence for any of the details. Most historians believe that tellings that have survived do refer to a clash between Ottoman invaders and Slavic peoples already in the area.

The Ruling Knez (Prince) of Serbia, Lazar Hrebeljanović marshalled a Christian coalition force, made up not only of Serbs, but also troops from Bosnia, Hungary, Albania, and even a contingent of Saxon mercenaries. Ottoman Sultan Murad I also gathered a coalition of soldiers and volunteers from neighboring countries in Anatolia and Rumelia. Exact numbers are difficult to come by, but most reliable historical accounts suggest that the Christian army was heavily outnumbered by the Ottomans.

The Serbs marched out to meet the Ottomans at Kosovo Polje. The battle started with Serbian noblemen and Lazar's son-in-law, General Vuk Branković, on one wing, Lazar in the centre, and Bosnian Duke Vlatko Vuković commanding the third wing of the Christian army. The Ottomans initially gained the upper hand, especially because of the wing commanded by Bayezid I (son of Murad I). But, as the day progressed, the Christians regained a tactical advantage. The two flanks pushed forward and each side made their way into the Ottoman camp. During the battle both sides lost their leaders. Lazar was captured and executed by the Ottomans, while Murad was probably killed by Miloš Obilić, who went into the Sultan's tent posing as a defector and stabbed Murad with a poisoned dagger.

Results of the war:

The new sultan, Bayezid I, reconciled with the Serbs by marrying princess Olivera Despina, daughter of Prince Lazar. Thereafter, Serbs were obligated to serve in the Ottoman army and pay taxes to the Turks. After the siege of Smederevo, the Ottomans annexed Serbia in 1459. Interestingly, when Bayezid I attacked the forces of Timur at the Battle of Ankara, the Ottoman army consisted mainly of Serbs, since most of the Turks chose Timur's side.

The Battle of Kosovo is the battle of all battles in the annals of Serbian mythology. Most of Serbia's knights--more than 150--died in the battle. Although the battlefield result was a tie, and there were two more battles fought before the Ottomans subdued all Serb ruled land, the Battle of Kosova has a certain place in the psyche of Serbian people.

On St. Lazar:

The Holy Prince Lazar of Serbia lived during the fourteenth century at a time when the Turks, having conquered neighboring lands, were preparing to invade Serbia.

St Lazar was raised at the court of the holy King Dushan, and was appointed governor of one of the Serbian districts. In the year 1371 he was chosen King of all Serbia and he toiled much at strengthening the condition of the country. He pacified neighboring princes, who had wronged or plundered Serbian settlements. He was concerned also for the Christian enlightenment of the nation, he built churches, supported the monasteries and charitable establishments. In 1380 the saint established the monastery at Rovanetz. Saint Lazar petitioned the Patriarch of Constantinople to remove the anathema from the people of Serbia. During the course of the ten years of his rule, Serbia was at peace.

Afterwards there began war with the Turks. At the time of the Battle of Kosovo, the wounded king was taken prisoner. On the orders of Sultan Bayazet, he was beheaded with a sword on June 15, 1389. The body of the holy King Lazar was buried at a nearby church. In 1391 his incorrupt relics were transferred to the Ravanica monastery. The monastery was destroyed by the Turks in 1683, and the relics of King Lazar were transferred to the monastery of New Ravanica on Mount Thruzh. He was the founder of the Monastery of St Panteleimon on the Holy Mountain, as well as numerous other monasteries and churches