Jefimija

Biography

Her father was Caesar Vojihna, member of the collateral branch of Nemanjić dynasty. Jefimija's mother, Caesaraea Jelena, after the death of her husband became an Orthodox nun under the name Jevpraksija (Eupraxia) and in 1358 made a considerable donation to the Koutloumousiou monastery.

Jefimija's Lament for a Dead Son and Encomium of Prince Lazar are famous in the canon of medieval Serbian literature. 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 infant child Uglješa Mernjavčević Despotović lived only until the age of 4 and is buried next to his maternal grandfather, Caesar Vojihna of Drama, in the Hilandar monastery. The piece of art has Jefemija's lament engraved on its back. Apart from being considered the first Serbian female poet, Jefimija was also as a skilled needlewoman and an engraver, whose works were saved and preserved until today.

Encomium of Prince Lazar

File:Jefimija - aer, kraj XIV veka.jpg|Embroidered cross standard File:Jefimijina-zavesа.jpg|Embroidered iconography File:Pohvala knezu Lazaru.jpg|Poem

Issue

Jefimija and her husband Despot Jovan Uglješa, member of the ruling House of Mrnjavčević had, at least three children, two boys and one girl, who was the only one to reach adulthood:

• Tvrtko Mrnjavčević Despotović (d. 1366)
• Uglješa Mrnjavčević Despotović (d. 1371), buried in the Hilandar monastery next to Vojihna, his maternal grandfather
• Eupraxia Mrnjavčević Despotović, became a nun in 1405

Legacy

She is included in The 100 most prominent Serbs.

References

Sources

References

1. ''The medieval aristocracy on Mount Athos'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=twYuAAAAYAAJ&q=vojihna p. 102]
2. "Живојин Андрејић - МОНАХИЊА ЈЕФИМИЈА, ЋЕРКА ЋЕСАРА ВОЈИХНЕ, УНУКА ВЛАДИСЛАВА II, ПАРАУНУКА КРАЉА ДРАГУТИНА". ЈЕФИМИЈА 14, Трстеник 2004, стр. 97-108..
3. Hawkesworth, Celia. (2000). "Voices in the Shadows: Women and Verbal Art in Serbia and Bosnia". Central European University Press.
4. "Despotica Jelena, monahinja Jefimija | MetHistArt".
5. "Balkan 6".