Srbija - nacionalna revija - broj 55 - engleski - niska rezolucija

L I G H T H O U S E S
In the Archangel
congregation:
Fresco Saint Sava
and Saint Simeon,
Serbian miraclemakers
Saint Sava of
Serbia, an altar
fresco
Holy Prince Lazar
he, entirely dedicated to Russia, showed
in creating and defending autocracy, after
which, as some assume, he was given the
name – the Terrible (Horrible, Great, Magnificent).
He established the imperial assembly,
representing all parts of the empire, with
legislative authorities, corresponding to
today’s parliament, then called duma and
rada, as well as the imperial council, with
which he agreed to a consultancy-like division
of dominion.
The era of Ivan IV was a time of creating
and strengthening the empire, which lasted
almost half a millennium after him. In his
clear vision, he saw Russia and created it as
such, as a new, first Orthodox Christian empire
in the world, but not out of the world.
He cared about the state of Orthodox Christianity,
supported Orthodox monasteries in
enslaved Serbian lands, in Bulgaria, Greece
Under the Protection of St. Sava
The title “Serbian miracle-workers” indicates that Ivan IV, already
as a prince, at a time he considered humiliating, put himself
under the protection of St. Sava, and believed that he survived
the bad times due to his miracles. Thus such a title is a form of
great imperial gratitude. Another fresco of St. Sava also indicates
gratitude to this miracle-working saint (the only one presented
with two frescoes in this edifice), on top of the northern altar pillar.
Two frescoes of St. Sava in the most colossal monument of his
dynasty’s glory are truly great imperial honors.
and Mt. Athos. After learning from Chilandar
monks about the difficult situation in
the monastic state on Mt. Athos, he wrote
to Turkish sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
He wanted to establish closer connections
with the English kingdom, anticipating an
emerging empire. The aspiration was mutual,
so the English discovered the northern
sea route in 1554 and founded the Muscovite
Company in London.
HOLY LAND DEEDS ON THE EMPIRE
After eliminating the aspirations of
the boyars towards a state of independent
principalities, Russia became a complete
empire. In his conflicts with the boyars,
Ivan IV showed an imperial character,
strong will and iron hand. Boyars were
prone to all kinds of fights, both public and
secret. Inclined to all means they could use
for achieving any objective, from public
rebellions, mostly secret unions with enemies
of the empire, public betrayals and
conspiracies, poisoning closest members of
the imperial family (mother, wife, son), to
big intrigues and slanders they proclaimed
lasting historical facts, and denying historical
successes. While he was entirely dedicated
to raising the empire, Ivan IV was a
tragic personality in his personal self-sacrifice
and never anticipated he would become
a great victim of subsequent histories
46 SRBIJA • BROJ 55 • 2016.