Battle of Chustenahlah

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

• 
  embroidered cross standard
• 
  embroidered iconography
• 
  Poem

Legacy

She is included in The 100 most prominent Serbs.

See also

• Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina
• Princess Milica of Serbia
• Saint Angelina of Serbia
• Mara Branković
• Olivera Despina
• Jelena Balšić
• Helen of Anjou
• Simonida
• Katarina Branković

References

Sources

• Ćirković, Sima (2004). The Serbs. Malden: Blackwell Publishing.
• Gavrilović, Zaga (2006). "Women in Serbian politics, diplomacy and art at the beginning of Ottoman rule". In Jeffreys, Elizabeth M. (ed.). Byzantine Style, Religion and Civilization: In Honour of Sir Steven Runciman. Cambridge University Press. pp. 72–90.
• 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.

Further reading

• "Monahinja Jefimija (1922)".