Vidovdan in Serbia (28/06)





It must be said that the battle itself took place on June 15, 1389 (old style), but according to the rules of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the day of Lazar’s death is considered — according to the new style — on June 28, which is why the holiday was set for this date.

«Vidovdan» has been celebrated in Serbia before: it was a holiday dedicated to the holy martyr Vitus, who suffered under Diocletian, — St. Vitus Day. However, for more than 600 years, the day of June 28 in Serbian memory has been associated exclusively with a battle in which the Serbian army opposed a ten times stronger enemy. Then the Serbian militia, led by Prince Lazar, died on the Kosovo Field — however, and the Turkish army suffered severe losses, which significantly slowed its advance into Europe.

After the Battle of Kosovo, Serbia became a vassal of Turkey, and in 1459 it was included in the Ottoman Empire. At the same time, after their «victory», the Turks turned back, suspending the procession deep into the Balkan Peninsula. There have even been rumors for a long time in the Christian world about the victory of the Serbs on the Kosovo Field.

The Battle of Kosovo is also memorable for the death of the Turkish Sultan Murad I. Serbian hero Milos Obilic went to certain death: pretending to go over to the side of the enemy, he made his way into the Turkish camp. After Obilic was brought into Murad I's tent, a Serbian warrior killed the Sultan with a dagger and died himself. Prince Lazar, whom many Serbs still call their king, was cut off by the Turks and then chopped up. The holy relics of Lazarus are kept in the Ravanica Monastery in Kosovo, but the severed head is still in Turkey today — for centuries the Turks have stubbornly refused to return it to the Serbs.

Many believe that for this reason a legend has arisen that Serbia will regain its former power only when the head of Prince Lazar reconnects with his relics. In addition, there are many more folk legends and beliefs associated with «Vidovdan». In Kosovo they say that on the eve of «Vidovdan», in the dead of night, all the rivers in an instant begin to flow red as blood, because a lot of warriors left their lives on the Kosovo field that day. In «Vidovdan» cuckoos stop cuckooing — in memory of the fallen Kosovo heroes.

On this day in Serbia they do not sing, play or have fun. In the folk song about the Battle of Kosovo, the death of the Serbian power is interpreted as follows: on the eve of the battle, Prince Lazar receives a letter from heaven in which he is given: in tomorrow's battle he will defeat the Turks if he prefers the Earthly kingdom, and will be defeated and die if he chooses the Kingdom of Heaven. Lazarus chose Heavenly — and lost the battle the next day and lost his life.

Today this date is considered in Serbia both a holiday and a day of sorrow. Traditionally, solemn services, Divine Liturgies, and memorial services are held on this day. Many cultural and educational events, concerts, and charity events are also timed to coincide with the date. Special celebrations take place on the Kosovo Field itself.

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