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Jefimija

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Jefimija
Јефимија
Jelena Mrnjavčević
Јелена Мрњавчевић
Fresco detail in Ljubostinja Monastery
BornЈелена Мрњавчевић
Jelena Mrnjavčević
AttributesOrthodox Nun
Christian poetry
Writing career
Native name
Jelena Mrnjavčević
OccupationNun
NationalityMedieval Serbian
Years active14th century
Notable worksRoyal doors curtain of Hilandar; covering of Prince Lazar's
Poem Her Lament for a Dead Son
Poem Encomium of Prince Lazar Ark
SpouseUglješa Mrnjavčević
RelativesVojihna (father)

Jefimija (Serbian Cyrillic: Јефимија, Serbian pronunciation: [jěfiːmija]; 1349–1405), secular name Jelena Mrnjavčević (Serbian Cyrillic: Јелена Мрњавчевић, pronounced [jělena mr̩̂ɲaːʋtʃeʋitɕ] or [mr̩ɲǎːʋ-]), daughter of Vojihna and widow of Jovan Uglješa Mrnjavčević, is considered the first female Serbian poet. Her Lament for a Dead Son and Encomium of Prince Lazar are famous in the canon of medieval Serbian literature.[1][2]

Jefimija was also as a skilled needlewoman and engraver. Her lament for her beloved son was carved on the back of the diptych, (two-panelled icon representing a virgin and Child) which Teodosije, Bishop of Serres, had presented as a gift to the infant Uglješa at his baptism. The piece of art has Jefemija's lament engraved on its back.[3]

Encomium of Prince Lazar

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Legacy

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She is included in The 100 most prominent Serbs.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gavrilović 2006, pp. 78–79.
  2. ^ Hawkesworth, Celia (2000). Voices in the Shadows: Women and Verbal Art in Serbia and Bosnia. Central European University Press. p. 80.
  3. ^ Pavlikianov, Cyril (2001). The Medieval Aristocracy on Mount Athos: Philological and Documentary Evidence for the Activity of Byzantine, Georgian and Slav Aristocrats and Eminent Churchmen in the Monasteries of Mount Athos from the 10th to the 15th Century. Sofia: Center for Slavo-Byzantine Studies. ISBN 9789540715957.

Sources

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Further reading

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