Šuica Marko: Milica kneginja nemirnog doba

Marko Šuica: Princess Milica of a troubled age

The historical princess Milica - the nun Jevgenija, unlike the legend-crowned empress Milica, despite the peculiarities caused by the legacy of the Kosovo battle, was not much different from other rulers, wives, widows of noble birth and mothers of distinguished princesses and rulers of that troubled era. Some of Milica's daughters, or contemporaries, if their lives can be reconstructed, faced bigger and more complex life challenges. Jefimija lost her minor son, then her husband in the Battle of Mariča, and with him the state. She was left without political support and spent the rest of her life helping her cousin and friend, the ruler of Moravian Serbia far from the regions where she lived as a despot. The eldest daughter of Lazarev and Miliča Mara had to come to terms with the death of her father, probably the violent death of her husband and the execution of the youngest son Lazar. She experienced being helpless with her children, being expelled from her country by her mother and brothers. She witnessed the conflicts between her son Đurđ Branković and the despot brothers Stefan and Vuk Lazarevic. Milica's second daughter, Jelena Balšić, left this world with her only son and two husbands.

Nevertheless, Serbian history and tradition raised Princess Milica above other women, rulers and noblewomen of that turning point. There are several reasons for this attitude towards her. Having before her the imperative of preserving her family and Moravian Serbia, Milica overcame the adversities that were imposed on her with great risks and determination. The establishment of the cult of the holy Prince Lazar was part of an ideological-political concept, which by its nature and structure ensured Milica a place in liturgical literary compositions dedicated to her husband. Her name was also mentioned in solemn rites, liturgies and prayers dedicated to Lazarus' sacrifice. The state-building legacy that she fought for and left to her sons included her in the hagiographical writings, where in the text of the Life of the Despot Stefan Lazarević by Konstantin the Philosopher, her historical character was largely built up and preserved. Her strong character, unequivocal statesmanship, personal perseverance and pragmatism predestined her to guide her sons through difficult and risky political situations. Despite taking monastic vows, Milica, that is, Jevgenija, did not stop managing Moravian Serbia, sometimes openly and publicly, and sometimes unobtrusively, from the shadows.