Prince and despot Stefan Lazarevic and monastery of Great Lavra of Saint Athanasius on Mount Athos

Abstract

Great Lavra of Saint Athanasius is one of the Mount Athos monasteries richly donated by Serbian rulers and noblemen with properties and material goods. The monastery was acquiring its properties by completing requests from abbot and monks, but also on the initiative of the founder himself. Depending on the situation, which was dictated by the current situation in the country, the estates were privileged to a certain extent. They were abolished in moments when the danger from the Ottomans was at a high level. The population of the monastery villages primarily had to participate in military service both materially and physically. In such circumstances they were exempt from those work obligations directly related to the ruler?s palace. House of Lazarevic had issued a total of five charters in the period from 1394/1395 to 1427. Great Lavra received several villages: Kurilovo, Vrankovo, Saludovac, Buljane, Izvor, Brnica and Kvasicevica, then had its property in Trg in Paracinov Brod. It had revenue of transit customs in the village of Izvor and from customs office in Novo Brdo. Introductions of charters reflect the piety of royal family, desire to continue the traditions of their god-loving ancestors and to enroll its members in the ranks of the largest benefactors.