Serbian History 101
with Baba Mim....
PA
Kosovo, Serbia's Jerusalem...
Kosovo is not just a piece of geography. It is the heart and soul of the Serbian nation, wherever the nation exists, no matter how great or how small.
Kosovo is like a mirror. It echoes the past and reflects the future, wherever one lives.
The Battle of Kosovo mirrors the SPIRIT of the people. The Battle of Kosovo is the KEYSTONE of Serbian history.
Many sacrifices were made by the Serbian heroes on Kosovo Polje or the Field of Blackbirds for the Serbian ideals of Liberty, Justice, Equality and THE CROSS!
Individual Serbs carry Kosovo with them wherever they are, just like they carry the image of the "White Angel" (Bjeli Andjel) with them wherever they travel.
If the icon of Christ on the Cross is reminiscent of the painting of The Maid of Kosovo, then the White Angel icon is representative of the hope, the freedom, the better tomorrow--- such as when the angel guarding Christ's tomb announces, "He is not here, He has Risen!"
People are forced to make hard choices every day in their lives, but the Serbs are fortunate in that they have a good example to follow. Follow the cross! Czar Lazar had to make a choice between an earthly kingdom or a heavenly one. Choose well.
Although the Serbs were vassals under the Turks for many centuries, called "dogs" and other derogatory terms, they were never slaves. There were always the resistance fighters, the ones who could never be shackled in thought and prayers.
This photo was taken in front of the Pec Monastery in Kosovo, in 2006, during a "Tour of Serbian Monasteries." Surely, this Serbian Monastery, the Seat of the Serbian Patriarchate at the time of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, attests to the rightful heritage of this Holy Land, the Serbian Jerusalem!
600 years ago, Prince Lazar uttered this curse:
"Ko ne dodje na boj na Kosovo,
Od ruke mu nista se rodilo
Ni u polju psenica bjelica
Ni u brdu vinova lozica
Ne imao u kuci porode
Rdjom kap'o dok mu je kolena.
Translated, that means:
Whoever comes not to Kosovo to fight
May no fruit come forth from his laboring hand
Neither the sweet white-kerneled wheat in his fields,
Nor yet the wine from his vineyards in the hills.
May there be no children born unto his house.
May he and all his live and die in torment.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To learn more about the museum where the Serb National Federation's Museum collection is now housed, visit: http://www.pghhistory.org
Famous gusle right behind Mim. Banner, King Alexander painting, GI Joe doll of Mitchell Paige, Vinka's costume, a few other things to see.
The SRBORAN showed this photo of the men from Farrell donating the flag to the Serb National Federation, which is now at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. It's embroidered on BOTH sides, one in Serbian Cyrillic, and the other in English!
+++++++++++++++++++
Serbian Hero, Milosh Obilich, slew Sultan Murad in his tent, by pretending to be a turn-coat "traitor" to his people.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In 1989, the Petar Krstich Serbian Choir of Steubenville, OH, performed "Kosovski Bozuri" as the main event of the Gala Banquet commemorating the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo in Detroit's Hyatt Regency Hotel's Grand Ballroom. The cantata was set to music by Director Emeritus, Slobodan Zelich.
"Kosovski Bozuri" is the Serbian's beloved bright red Kosovo poppy (bozur), which according to tradition, sprang up from the precious blood of the heroes of Kosovo, and covered the "Field of the Blackbird."
(Tole Artwork by Billie Brnilovic & Georgette Osman)
For generations, Serbian poets, writers, artists and composers have created cultural flowers, spiritual Kosovo poppies.
Paul Bielich, wrote in the August 23, 1989 American SRBOBRAN, "These spiritual Kosovo poppies watered the soul with patriotism and faith. The spiritual bouquets trace the historical rise and fall of our people from Kosovo to the present day--- in which they still proclaim loudly,
"For the Honorable Cross and Golden Freedom!"
Za krst casno, slobodu zlato!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rev. J. Popovich wrote about the Battle of Kosovo, and The Field of Blackbirds, printed in Milan Karlo's June, 1948 magazine American SERB LIFE.
Here's the bus from Pittsburgh in Washington, DC!
Around the world, people were quick to protest the unfair land grab from Serbia and recognition of Kosovo as an independent country. U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, stating the official U.S. position, stated: "It's time to drop centuries of grievance and sentimentality in the Balkans. I mean, after all, we're talking about something from 1389! Time to move forward."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
There's a beautiful song on YouTube about Kosovo.
It was translated here by
Nena Jovonovich & Ann & Voya Vitorovich
Kosovo je Duša Srbije <---- click to hear
Kosovo je duša Srbije
Sveto polje najSrpskije
Kosovo je Vera, Nada
Mesto gde se za krst strada
Kosovo je najSrpskije
Lice Božije
Tamo gde je duša ostala
Tamo je I naša sudbina
Tamo gde je srce bilo
Gde se Božje dogodilo
Tamo sto je, sve je Srbija
Jedno polje prelepo
Božurom se kitilo
Jedno polje presveto
U nebo se propelo
Jednu veru ćuvao
U krvi se kupalo
Kad se java razdeli od sna
I ostane samo ikona
I kad većnost broji dane
Nad Srbijom sunce grane
Kosovo je uvek Srbija
Uvek Srbija
_________
Kosovo is the soul of Serbia
Hallowed ground, most Serbian
Kosovo is Faith, Hope
Land of martyrdom for the cross
Kosovo is most Serbian
Face of the Lord
There where the soul remained
There too is our destiny
There where the heart remained Where God's will was done
All that is there, all is Serbia
All is Serbia
REFRAIN:
One most beautiful field
Adorned with poppies
One most sacred field
Has ascended to heaven
One faith safeguarded
Bathed in blood
When reality replaces the dream
Only an icon remains
And when Eternity counts the days
Above Serbia the sun shines
Kosovo is always Serbia
Always Serbia
American SRBOBRAN headlines, Friday, June 25, 1943, Vol. XXXVII, No. 8368
These headlines say it all--- As long as there are people and as long as there is Kosovo.... and the two starring figures are Milosh Obilich & Draza Mihailovich in this 1943 issue of the SRBOBRAN above!
+++++++++++++++++++++
$621.00 was raised quickly at the St. Sava's Day program 2007 in St. Elijah's to help buy firewood for the freezing Serbian children in Kosovo. (Even the young orchestra gave all their "tip" money to the cause!) The money was sent to V. Rev. Arch. Necatious Serfes of Boise, Idaho, immediately after his plea as administrator of the Decani Relief Fund. He can be contacted at frdmitri@connecttime.net or:
V. Rev. Arch. Necatrious Serfes
2618 W. Bannock St., Boise, Idaho 83702
+++++++++++++++++++
Sporting Events and Kosovo
Milorad Cavic, a young American Serb from California was swimming for Serbia when he won the Gold Medal for his Butterfly stroke in Europe, breaking all previous world records. However, one official complained about Milorad's shirt because it said in Cyrillic, "Kosovo is Serbia," and unbelievably, Cavic was fined over $10,000!
This was incredibly cruel, as (1) in America, we have freedom to express ourselves; (2) they displayed the wrong flag when he won the championship. Was that official biased or what? No matter, we KNOW who holds the record! And Milorad Cavic sent all of you children greetings! He's working hard in preparation for the Olympics in Beijing.
UPDATE:
CAVIC EARNS SILVER MEDAL AT OLYMPICS, but GOLD MEDAL in Serbian Hearts!
Read the Story here:
Cavic Already a Hero in Serbia by Andrew Dampf, AP Sports Writer AP, Beijing, China, August 16, 2008
+++ ++++++
September 12, 2008
From our Detroit contributor, Pam, comes this news!
Imagine how THRILLED young American Serb Alexa of Dearborn Dolphins Swim Club was to actually MEET her hero, Milorad Cavic, at a swim camp in Florida! He encouraged her to keep pursuing her dreams of being in the Olympics someday too! Our eyes & hearts are upon you, Alexa! Keep on going and make us all proud like Mike has!
Everyone loves Milorad because of his kindness to others and desire to always do his best!
Click here to another article from the NY Times about Cavic Finds Triumph in Narrowest of Defeats
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Make sure you check out the latest in Serbian tennis stars. They (Ana, Jelena and Djoko) are doing a tremendous job.
Isn't it telling that the French said the ceremonies were copyrighted and wouldn't let YouTube continue showing the playing of the Serbian National Anthem, "Boze Pravde" that proclaimed Ana's /Serbia's 1st place Championship at the French Open?
Perhaps those French officials aren't familiar with the English translation of "Boze Pravde"-God of Truth:
+++
Milosh Obilich is here promising Czar Lazar at their "Last Supper" that he is NOT a traitor. He proved it the next day by pretending he was ready to join the Turkish side. Once inside the Sultan's tent, he slew Murad I and ever since has been known as one of Serbia's greatest and bravest heroes!
Serbia has medals with images of Milosh Obilich.
Here is Czarica Milica and Czar Lazar. Note the crest in the middle. Czar Lazar is the one who added the 4 C's to the Serbian crest that you will find everywhere, even to his day!
+++++++++++++
SONG TO SACRED SERBIA
by St. Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich
(Translation by Voya and Ann Vitorovich)
"Oh, Serbia, beloved mother!
May you always have good fortune,
Your children love you,
And for you they pray to God.
Land of our forefathers,
Knights, and saints.
For the honor of the cross, martyrs
For freedom, defenders.
Grave to grave -- holy cemetery,
There rest Serbian slaves.
And all altars to altars
The legacy of Serbian kings.
On Kosovo, Gracanica,
On the mountain, Studenica,
By the Morava, Ravanica,
In Krusevac, Lazarica.
From every battle to battle,
Before and after Vidov Dan,
You are everywhere poured out in blood,
Everywhere washed in tears.(or awash in tears)
There Kosovo sadly stands,
Counting five centuries of slavery,
Memorial of glory and heroism,
And discord and betrayal.
Fear not, beloved mother,
God will give to you good fortune.
And you will be most happy,
And of all, most praised, glorious.
Bishop Nikolai's poem appeared in the Sunday, August 3, 1958 dedication of St. Elijah's NEW church at 2200 Main Street, Aliquippa, PA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I took the photo of this bombed-out Serbian home.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Srpska Se Truba
Srpska se truba s Kosova cuje
Srbina svokog da obraduje
Trubite jace silnije bolje
Srpsko je opet Kosovo polje
Janci srpski sunce van sinu
Osvetiste se dindusmaninu
Osvetiti ste cara Lazara
Sve Jugovice Bogdana stara.
Ivana, Milana, Milosa-Lava
Srpstov vam klice slava i hvala. (2 times)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From my Baba's diary in 1941.
Andja Mamula wrote right before I was born, "Rano sam ustala, idem raditi. Danas je mili Vidov Dan. Na taj dan propala je Srpska Carevina, ali dodje vreme da se povrati Srpsko Carstvo. To su Srbi svojom krvi povratili i nikada se nisu popustili, nisu dok opet svoje ne dobishe Carstvo. To je bilo dug cekati. Tu su se cekale stotine godine dalje. Srbin svoje pravo dobijo ali sad opet udari Prokleta a zdaja nasav Sve. Sve porushi i Ognjom po pali prokletom seme i koljeno. Ovo pisem i suzom polevam. Idem u Mater Crkvu dase svi skupa Bogu pomolimo, za nashe umrele i izinule junake. Slava im!
Noble Czar Lazar praying 
The choice Czar Lazar and his brave Serbian warriors made in the fateful battle of 1389 still help their descendants today make the right choices.
The Kosovo cycle ends with two poems recording events after the battle. "The Maid of Kosovo" and "Death of the Mother of Jugovici."
Like the women in the Gospel, who, on "the first day of the week" at early dawn went to see the sepulchre where Jesus had been buried, so the maid of Kosovo arose early on Sunday to walk through the battlefield. The poem expresses the tragedy of defeat, the destruction of the hopes and dreams of the young people of Serbia. In "The Death of the Mother of the Jugovici," the most moving poem of the Kosovo cycle, the magnitude of the tragedy is revealed. News of the death of all her family stunned her into immobility. All about her widows and children were wailing and sobbing, the animals were neighing, squealing, howling. Fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, as well as the head of the nation, all had perished. But the mother did not cry. She was not beyond pain, but enveloped by it. It was too overwhelming to react to it. When in the morning two black ravens brought her the hand of her son Damian, a sign to her that the Kosovo heroes do not have even a grave, that their graves would not be known, the mother's heart burst for her nine sons and for old Jug Bogdan.
The Kosovo heroes were not only admirable for proficiency and valor; they are also martyrs, worthy of imitation. They are portrayed as people of high moral and spiritual qualities, who experienced Kosovo as their personal Golgotha. The bard presents the battle of 1389 as voluntary sacrifice, as the victory of faith over death. Thus the honor and holiness of that day, as well as its sorrow, was handed on to future generations. This poetry enshrines the Serbian historical memory, interprets what happened on Kosovo in the spirit of the Gospel account of the death and resurrection of Christ, and reveals an ultimate truth of human existence.
During these years of hasty analysis, pundits have often referred to the "Kosovo myth" as a morbid glorification of defeat and the very root of Serbian nationalism. But the Kosovo "myth" is a "Christian myth," which does not celebrate defeat but the victory of life over death, of hope over despair. It does not inspire hatred, nor does it demand revenge. The English scholar G. N. W. Locke protests that there is "no glorification of war---quite contrary, it honors only courage and fortitude. There is more jingoism, vainglory and xenophobic incitement to violence in the fourteen lines of the `Marseillaise' than in the entire body of the Serbian epics."
The poetry of Kosovo has cultural, religious and historical dimensions that transcend the boundaries of time and geography.
Look! In 1917, the Pittsburgh Serbian ladies of the church called themselves "Majka Jugovica"- Mothers of the Jugovic heroes! Notice Czar Lazar's 4 C's! Only Unity Saves the Serbs! My Grandmother, Andja Mamula was President of this lodge.
AND notice the crossed flags. They were always proud to be AMERICANS first, but also proud to be Serbs.
These American Serb pioneers (ladies and men) wore their ribbons proudly for all special occasions on the front side. However, whenever anyone died, they turned it over and wore the black ribbon side to the funeral of the deceased lodge member to show mourning.
"Having Kosovo and Metohija in our hearts and our unceasing care for our brothers and sisters and all those that suffer there, having a living Kosovo and Metohija within ourselves day and night, no one will take them away from us. The Homeland is the heart of man, says one poet. Within our hearts we have placed Kosovo and Metohija. We call upon all Orthodox Serbs to fulfill the Kosovo covenant in full, and that is the Holy Lazar’s testament," the Easter message continued.
"If we complete that covenant no one will take Kosovo and Metohija away from us, neither in this nor that age, just as no one could have taken Holy Jerusalem from the Jewish people. We call upon all of you, beginning with politicians and scholars down to the most humble and youngest sons and daughters of our Homeland, that with their work and honorable lives we be deserving of and preserve Kosovo and Metohija before God," the patriarch wrote.
Kosovo, the message said, is an integral part of every Serb's life.
"Knowing this," it continued, "the creators of this historic injustice wished to inflict the deepest possible wound, and unspeakable pain and suffering on us".
"Let scholars with their scientific work defend Kosovo and Metohija; let artists with their creativeness express the beauty and the essence of our Kosovo and Metohija; let athletes vow their successes to Kosovo and Metohija; let every parent have Kosovo and Metohija be a first word to whisper in his newborn’s ears; let every farmer dedicate his first hour of labor to Kosovo and Metohija; let every worker dedicate his first hour of work to Kosovo and Metohija; let every politician dedicate his first political thought to Kosovo and Metohija, let every pastor offer his first prayer to God for Kosovo and Metohija!," the message said.
This page is dedicated to Patriarch Pavle.
The National Geographic from May, 1970, vol. 137, no.5 on page 592, in a report by Robert Paul Jordan of the Senior Editorial Staff wrote in a section called "Freedom Lost-Freedom Regained" in his article entitled "YUGOSLAVIA: SIX REPUBLICS IN ONE":
Silver Coinage from Czar Lazar's reign, 1370-1389
Bog Cuva Srbiju
Signed in 1989-the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo Celebration, in Detroit, Michigan, by their Royal Highnesses, Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katherine.
Serbian self-sacrificing is as puzzling today in our modern day world as the initial Christian sacrifices were to the Romans............
Fate has dealt the Serbian nation a day which is called Vidovdan. This is not just a date on a calendar but is rather a continuing day, from that fateful year, 1389, up to the present. It is the longest, most significant, most holy, most tragic and brightest day of the Serbian nation. It contains all the ideas of the Christian comprehension of life and living.
Prof. Bigovic has said: "Vidovdan has been up to recently, and, for some is even today, Good Friday, and yet at he same time, Easter. Those two events - Good Friday and Easter - merged into one indivisible whole and further understanding of Vidovdan."
Kosovo is Serbian Golgotha. It is the Cross through which one nation entered into eternity and uncovered the eternal and divine dimensions of its existence. For this reason, the Kosovo oath, by which Tsar Lazar chose a heavenly kingdom, is our only choice and path, at the same time both a victory and defeat. Defeat is transformed into victory.
PA
