Saint Blessed Jovan Brankovic
of Serbia.

Jovan was the younger son of Stefan Branković, exiled Despot of Serbia (1458–1459), and the Albanian Princess Angelina Arianiti. His early years were marked by exile and the necessity of his family to flee the Ottoman conquest of Serbia. When the boys were grown, Stephen and his family were forced to flee to Italy for their safety, because the Turks invaded Albania and began to slaughter men, women, and even children.

In 1486, Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, recognizing the righteous lineage of the Branković family and seeking to strengthen his border against Ottoman expansion, invited the exiled brothers to Hungary. Jovan's elder brother Đorđe received the title of Despot of Serbia from King Matthias, who granted them possessions in Kupinik, Slankamen, and Berkasovo in the region of Syrmia.

From 1493 onwards, the brothers ruled jointly, since Jovan was also granted the title Despot of Serbia, as it was customary in the Kingdom of Hungary that various senior posts be held jointly by two incumbents. In 1497, Đorđe decided to relinquish all of his titles and possessions to Jovan. At that time, Đorđe took monastic vows, adopting the name Maksim. Thus, Jovan became the sole Despot of Serbia from 1497 until his death in 1502.

As Despot, Jovan ruled the Serbian territories in Hungary, maintaining ecclesiastical ties with the Orthodox Church and supporting monasteries. With his brother he built the Krušedol monastery, and made various donations to Hilandar and other Eastern Orthodox monasteries. The Krušedol monastery became a principal center for Serbian Orthodox spirituality and would eventually serve as the family mausoleum.

Members of the Branković dynasty were known for their devotion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Jovan Branković also represented that family tradition, demonstrating commitment to the faith even in the difficult circumstances of exile and Ottoman expansion.

Throughout his rule, Jovan sought to defend Serbian honor and Orthodox Christianity. He did not seek to create a heavenly realm, but sought to defeat the Turks and drive them out of his lands, and as such to be entitled the ranks of his ancestors. He successfully fought the Ottoman Empire during several operations in Bosnia, especially around Zvornik. His military endeavors represented a righteous resistance to Ottoman encroachment.

Jovan also planned to free the Serbs from Ottoman rule with the help of the Republic of Venice, but this was prevented by his death in 1502. On December 10, 1502, Jovan reposed in the Lord, ending the direct line of Serbian Despots. After his death in 1502, Hungarian king Vladislaus II instructed Jovan's widow Jelena to remarry (1504) to a prominent nobleman, Ivaniš Berislavić. Subsequently, Berislavić was granted the title Despot of Serbia and control over Branković family estates.

His cult began in the first half of the 16th century within the Serbian Orthodox Church. Though he could not restore the Serbian Despotate to its former glory in the Balkans—a goal prevented by Ottoman military power—his legacy endured as a symbol of righteous resistance and Orthodox devotion during times of great trial. He was buried at the Krušedol monastery, and laid together with the rest of his family members, in coffins at the altar, where his relics became a focus of veneration and pilgrimage for the Serbian faithful.

During the Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718), a Turkish army invaded Syrmia in 1716, captured Krušedol monastery and burned the holy relics, shortly after the Battle of Petrovaradin. Only some minor parts of the relics were preserved, yet the monastery was rebuilt and continues to house the Branković family shrine. Jovan is remembered particularly in the Serbian Orthodox tradition as the last authentic Despot of Serbia and a defender of Orthodox Christianity in a time of darkness and exile.

Blessed Jovan Brankovic (c. 1465–1502) was the last Serbian Despot of the Branković dynasty, serving as titular ruler from 1496 until his death in 1502. He was the youngest son of Stefan Branković, exiled Despot of Serbia (1458–1459), and the Albanian Princess Angelina Arianiti. His father was blinded at Jedrene in 1441 by the Turkish Sultan for some perceived offense, yet bore his affliction with courage and maintained his Orthodox faith throughout his exile.

Early Life and Rule

In 1486, he and his elder brother Đorđe arrived in Hungary, and Jovan's elder brother received the title of Despot of Serbia from King Matthias, who granted them possessions in Kupinik, Slankamen, and Berkasovo in the region of Syrmia. From 1493 onwards, the brothers ruled jointly, since Jovan was also granted the title Despot of Serbia. In 1497, Đorđe relinquished all of his titles and possessions to Jovan. At that time, Đorđe took monastic vows, adopting the name Maksim, becoming Metropolitan of Belgrade and Srem and later a saint of the Church.

Jovan had different goals to those of his brother Đorđe. He did not seek to create a heavenly realm, but sought to defeat the Turks and drive them out of his lands, and as such to be entitled the ranks of his ancestors. He successfully fought the Ottoman Empire during several operations in Bosnia, especially around Zvornik. Jovan also planned to free the Serbs from Ottoman rule with the help of the Republic of Venice, but this was prevented by his death in 1502.

Family and Legacy

He married a Serbian noblewoman Jelena Jakšić, with whom he had several children, but no surviving male heir. With his brother he built the Krušedol monastery, and made various donations to Hilandar and other Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Members of the Branković dynasty were known for their devotion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Jovan Branković also represented that family tradition.

Canonization and Commemoration

His cult began in the first half of the 16th century. He was buried at the Krušedol monastery, and laid together with the rest of his family members, in coffins at the altar. During the Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718), a Turkish army invaded Syrmia in 1716, captured Krušedol monastery and burned the holy relics, shortly after the Battle of Petrovaradin. Only some minor parts of the relics were preserved. He is venerated together with his parents and brother as a righteous ruler and defender of the Serbian Orthodox faith.