Angel Day has long been considered an important celebration. Several centuries ago, on this holiday they set a beautiful and tasty table, baked pies and personalized loaves, went to church to receive communion - in general, they celebrated it almost like an anniversary. Angel Day, as a rule, is celebrated according to the calendar (on the date of memory of the patron saint after whom the person is named). For each Orthodox name, only one saint is venerated, but there may be several name days. For example, Angelina, whose angel days are celebrated 4 times a year, has one patroness - the Venerable Angelina of Serbia.
When choosing a name for your baby, it is very important to know which saint you are naming him after, because it is believed that it greatly influences his character and his destiny. There is one more important nuance: the child’s name at baptism may not necessarily correspond to the one written on the birth certificate. If you choose this option, then the name with which you were baptized must be kept secret from everyone. Such a maneuver can save you from damage and the evil eye. Now let’s try to figure out what days Angelina celebrates her name day.
Angel Day and Venerable Angelina
Angelina Serbskaya grew up in the Orthodox family of the Albanian prince Ariyanit. At a young age, she married the blind King Stephen of Serbia, and in their marriage they had two wonderful sons and a daughter. The life of Reverend Angelina was full of sorrows and disappointments. Her husband died very early, and she had to wander with her two sons and the relics of her husband for a very long time in search of refuge. Saint Angelina's children also died quite early. The Orthodox Christian woman spent the rest of her life in the women's monastery in prayer. Reverend Angelina was very devoted to God and preached Christianity all her life.
The life indicates that Angelina of Serbia was the daughter of Andrei the Brave
Angelina’s life is rather meager; we know very little about her. According to some information, the Venerable Angelina of Serbia belonged to the Chernoevich family. She was the daughter of Andrei Arvanit the Brave, and also the niece of the governor Ivan Bey, who was the ruler of Montenegro in 1465. Nothing is known about her mother or other relatives.
It can be assumed that when Andrei the Brave was dead, Ivan gave Angelina in marriage to the Serbian despot Stefan Brankovich. Stefan Brankovic was also from a noble and wealthy family. Stefan and Angelina lived in love, they had two sons - George and John, and two daughters - Mara and Militsa.
When Andrei the Brave died, Ivan, his brother, gave Angelina in marriage to the Serbian despot Stefan Brankovich
For a very long time, the family lived in the Italian region of Furlania, as they were hiding from Turkish reprisals. Here Stefan bought a castle with his sister in this area. There they all remained to live together. Despot - in monarchical states - a ruler with unlimited power
When Stefan died, Angelina had a very difficult time; she raised her children alone. She no longer had someone she could rely on. The King of Hungary, Matvey Kornin, was a distant relative of his husband, and allocated some part of the land to Angelina and her children in the village of Kupinovo, where the family moved, taking Stefan’s relics with them.
In this place she founded the Church of the Apostle Luke, where the relics of Stepan Brankovich were placed. Miracles often happened near the relics. What is known is that the eldest son became the ruler of Srem, and then decided to take monastic vows with the name Maxim. Nothing is known about the further fate of Angelina’s daughters.
The relics of Stepan Branković are located in the Krušedol Monastery. Miracles often happened near them
Controversial character
Many mothers like this name, and they call their daughters this way, hoping that they will behave like God's messengers. But Angelina, whose Angel Days are celebrated in honor of the Serbian saint, is in fact not at all sweet and obedient, but rather the opposite. Girls with this name are most often very militant and stubborn. They really like to command, and, as a rule, they always get their way. They cannot stand a lack of attention, and in order to somehow attract the attention of their relatives, they are ready to do anything. However, Angelina needs attention only in order to once again assert herself. These girls rarely need help and support and usually take all advice and recommendations with hostility.
A very great advantage of the baby named Angelina, whose Angel Days are celebrated several times a year, is her independence, because this is very rare for girls. Asking for something for her is much more difficult than doing everything yourself. Angelina loves home and comfort; frequent visits are not for her. She has a very hard time with moving and traveling. Angelina does not immediately adapt to the new place, and at this time she feels defenseless.
The Orthodox name Angelina comes from the ancient Greek name Angelos.
The Orthodox name Angelina comes from the ancient Greek name Angelos. It is logical to guess that it means “Angel”, that is, a messenger bringing some kind of news. When choosing a name for a child, you need to know which saint to name her after, because the name greatly influences the character and destiny of a person.
A troparion and kontakion were written for St. Angelina, which is performed during services.
A troparion and kontakion were written specifically for the holiday of Saint Angelina, which is performed during the service in the church.
Troparion, tone 8:
In you, mother, it is known that you were saved, even in the image, having accepted the cross, you followed Christ and, in action, you taught to despise the flesh, which passes away, but to adhere to the souls, things that are immortal. In the same way, your spirit will rejoice with Angela, Reverend Angelino.
The Troparion and Kontakion to St. Angelina of Serbia can be read at home in front of the icon
Kontakion, tone 8:
Desiring to be worthy of the highest belly, you carefully left your lower food, and you squandered your wealth on the poor, and you received Heavenly wealth, and after your death you sanctified us, and your miracles, all-praised Angelino, flowed forth. In the same way, we honor your holy Dormition, crying out: Rejoice, most praised mother.
2 prayers to the holy righteous Angelina of Serbia
Prayers are read in front of the icon of St. Angelina. Prayer must come from the heart.
First prayer:
Oh, Venerable Angelino, our kind and merciful mother, help us, your disobedient children. You are our good mother, you lived a sorrowful life on earth, but with the help of God, you bravely gained victories in battles and your soul joyfully dwelt in the light of the Kingdom of Heaven. Your home Church of Christ has been decorated and gilded by your holy husband Stephen and sons John and Maxim.
You had a heart immeasurably large and compassionate towards everyone in trouble. Therefore, the pious Serbian people called you with the best of the words given by God - mother. As you are the mother of all of us, your Serbs, who, even if we have sinned a lot, still love and honor you and come to you for help. What kind of mother would hate her children, even if they sin badly?
No, but he punishes them wisely, but does not cease to love. Therefore, you, our good mother, punish us from heaven with the scourge of God, but do not leave us without your love. Punish us with the right hand of God's truth, and strengthen us with the right hand of love and return us from unrighteous paths to the path of truth and goodness. We pray to you, good mother, with your prayers ask us for a heavenly blessing: for the sick health, for the weak strength, for the desperate hope, for the hungry daily bread, for the barren children, for the persecuted, shelter and comfort, and for all those who pray to you, grant what you ask for according to your great mercy.
But grant us even more, our good mother, heavenly blessings that cleanse our souls, strengthen us in fulfilling the commandments of God, leading us to good and leading us away from all evil. For if we don’t run away from evil in this world, how can we run away from it in another world, if we don’t cleanse ourselves of dirt here, how can we there, where they look at what we carry from here. Help us to die to this world, just as you were dead to the world, having desired the enduring and eternal good. Let our good be in heaven, so that our hearts may be in heaven, and not here, where everything rots and disappears, where the thief steals, and moth and rust decay.
Even if we put all our strength into the blessings of this world, for a handful of earthly dust, we take it with us below, then you will not be able to help us, our good mother. Even if we work a little, although we cry out a little to the Lord through you, His heavenly bride, your help will pour out innumerable heavenly blessings, which will strengthen us on the narrow path of salvation, even if hundreds of deaths are presented to us. Truly, our soul is completely torn by sins and poor in virtue, but the merciful Lord has prepared a remedy - repentance. May a small part of that true repentance be born in us, which you, our holy mother, brought to the Lord.
Revive the divine in our souls with your warm tears, which you pour out every day for the Serbian race, so that we understand the abyss of our debts before God, He forgives our debts if we sincerely and tearfully ask Him for forgiveness. Also, have mercy, our mother Angelino, holy abbess of Krushedol, and help us to be saved from all evil, so that one day, through your prayers to the Lord, we may enter the peace of the Kingdom of Heaven, where everyone gratefully glorifies the Holy Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer:
Oh, great saint of Christ and our glorious mother Angelino! You stand in heaven with your soul at the Throne of God and constantly lift up praise to Him, turn your gaze to us orphans and mourners and pray for us to the Lord, that He may guide us on the path of truth and piety, which we too can follow at the end of our life in our Fatherland. heavenly ascend and worship God with you. To her, our reverend mother, see from heaven that a difficult, godless time has arrived and our souls are filled with sorrow. There is no one who saves, no one who helps, except the One God, in Him we trust and to Him we send glory with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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Angel Day influences character and destiny
It becomes interesting why girls with such a wonderful name have such a complex character. Some philosophers believe that this is connected with name days. Angelina Day, for example, is celebrated on July 14 (July 1, old style). On this day, in the month of Ramadan, according to Islamic teachings, Fr. Oddly enough, Angelina girls are most often really very powerful and domineering.
The icon of Saint Angelina is found in many churches in Serbia
The icon of Saint Angelina is found in many churches in Serbia. This icon can be found very rarely in Russian churches. In Moscow, such an icon is kept in the Church of Peter and Paul, in the Church of St. George the Victorious.
In Moscow, the icon of Angelina of Serbia is kept in the Church of Peter and Paul
The icon depicts Angelina with her head covered in a special robe. In one hand she has a temple depicted, which indicates that she herself personally took part in the construction of the temple and monastery. In her other hand she has a cross.
On the icon, in one hand Angelina of Serbia depicts a temple, which indicates that she herself personally took part in the construction of the monastery, in the other - a cross
There are icons in which Angelina is depicted with her family. Unfortunately, such an icon is almost impossible to find.
How does an icon help?
What do they pray to Saint Angelina for?
- about protecting a love union from quarrels;
- about good health;
- about overcoming difficult life difficulties.
The saint's memorial days are July 1 and December 10.
Angelina in adulthood
Love is above all for her. She values coziness, comfort and care. Angelina is inherently very jealous and does not tolerate competition. You can’t call her too purposeful. In case of obvious defeat, she will quickly fade into the shadows. Angelina is, as a rule, a creative person with a very vulnerable soul. She may be withdrawn, especially if she had a difficult childhood. On the day of Angelina's Angel, it is necessary to leave her alone at least for a short time so that she can enjoy her solitude to the fullest.
Reverend Mother Angelina of Serbia
The publishing house “Free Wanderer” published a book that tells about the holy ascetics of the Serbian Church. “ Holy Serbian Wives ” is a collection that presents the most complete lives of Christian women from the Serbian family, who became examples of sincere faith, piety, love, prayer and care for their neighbors. It was they who raised future ascetics, Christ-loving rulers and martyrs for the faith. One of the most revered Serbian saints in the Russian church tradition was the Venerable Angelina. It is her name that all our Christian women, without exception, bear. One of the saint's days of remembrance is July 30 / August 12.
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Reverend Mother Angelina, as the Serbs affectionately call her, can rightfully be called one of the most famous and beloved Serbian saints. She is especially close to us, because all Angelinas in our Russian church tradition bear the name of this particular saint and honor her as their patroness.
Reverend Angelina. Modern icon. Author: Elena Khinich Saint Angelina was the daughter of the Albanian Orthodox prince George Arianite Komnenos, who ruled in the Elbasan region. Her relative was the famous Christian ruler George Skanderbeg. She belonged to a family that produced outstanding leaders and defenders of the faith. The inhabitants of this region were for the most part Orthodox Christians, their fatherland was famous for its piety and military successes.
Angelina was born around 1440. The literature mentions that she was her father's only daughter in marriage to Maria Musaki, but she also had other brothers and sisters on her father's side.
Angelina grew up and was raised at her parent's court. Her mother, a God-fearing woman, raised her daughter in Christian piety. Angelina received an excellent education in her parents' home. Standing out among her peers for her intelligence and talents, she surpassed many in intelligence and wisdom. Her parents were amazed at her abilities. From an early age she fell in love with books and studied the Divine Law, which she successfully comprehended with love.
When Angelina grew up, the Serbian despot Stefan Branković, an exile, the son of the famous despot ruler Georgiy Branković, appeared in her father’s domain [1].
In 1441, the Turks took Stephen as a hostage along with his older brother and blinded him. After the death of George, their younger brother Lazar ruled Serbia for two years, and then Stefan himself became the despot. This happened shortly before the Serbian capital of Smeredevo fell under the onslaught of the Turks and the Serbian despotism ceased to exist[2]. One of the reasons for the defeat was the disunity of the Serbs, and some people taught by the devil slandered Stephen. As a result of the slander, he was expelled from his fatherland and suffered many troubles and sorrows in a foreign land. First, Stefan went to his sister, Countess Katarina of Celje, then sought refuge in the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, and from there he moved to Albania.
Prince Arianit received Stefan with love. The visit lasted so long that Stefan became like family to the whole family, and Angelina fell in love with him with all her heart and asked her parents for their blessing for the marriage. The parents blessed the young couple, and Angelina married Stefan in 1461 in Skadar.
Saint Stephen the Blind, Brankovic. Modern fresco. Grgeteg Monastery. Photo: Hierom. Ignatius (Shestakov)
It is worth noting that the family ties of the Serbian and Albanian dynasties go back centuries and can be traced back to the time of the first rulers of the Nemanjić dynasty. Thus, one of the daughters of Stephen the First-Crown was married to the Albanian ruler Demetrius. There are other examples, so there are many blood ties between the branches of Serbian rulers and Albanian leaders, primarily due to the Orthodox faith.
In their marriage, the couple had sons George, John and daughter Mara, or Mary. The eldest son was born in Albania, but the parents were soon forced to leave these lands: the Turks began to invade their lands, ruining and devastating everything in their path. Therefore, Stefan and Angelina moved to Italy, where they settled in an old castle in Furland on the banks of the Tagliamento River. In the large but already neglected castle there was a temple of St. Nicholas and several auxiliary buildings. The family lived here very modestly, receiving help from Dubrovnik and Venice.
So they lived, suffering material shortages, but strengthened by love and faith, for 16 years. On October 9, 1476, Angelina suffered a difficult test: her beloved husband, the righteous Stefan, went to the Lord.
Shortly before his death, Stefan wrote to the residents of Dubrovnik, asking for their help. His letter is permeated with special love for his wife and children. Realizing that he is not leaving them any property, and anticipating his death, he begs his friends for help, reminding him that he has nothing that is written about in his will: no gold, no silver, no household utensils that he could leave to Angelina and children for their comfort. He calls on the Serbian houses for old friendship with this city and hopes that the residents of Dubrovnik will not abandon his loved ones in the difficult times that befall them. In the face of death, Stefan most of all lamented the fact that he was not able to repay Angelina for the boundless love and care that she gave him.
Soon after the death of Stephen, God glorified His saint in a special way: a mysterious light began to appear over his grave, and his body turned out to be incorrupt.
Angelina continued to live with love for her husband even after his death. Wherever she moved in subsequent years under the pressure of circumstances, she carried with her the relics of her holy husband Stephen and preserved the traditions of his family. In this special way, her devotion to her family and self-sacrifice were demonstrated.
After the death of her husband, Angelina felt the need for the most necessary things, and she, along with her three children, had to experience the bitterness of an orphan’s life in a foreign land. She first went with her sons to Vienna to visit the Austrian Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg. Soon, her only daughter Mara was married to Count Boniface Palaiologos I. Ten years later, she died while still very young.
Church of St. Ap. Luke in Kupinovo
Driven by concern for her children, Angelina turned for help to the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus, who invited her and her sons to the Srem region. In 1486, they were given ownership of land near Kupinovo on the Sava River[3]. Angelina brought with her the relics of her husband Stefan and, settling in Kupinovo, placed them in the church of St. Apostle Luke.
The Hungarian king gave Angelina's eldest son George the title of despot and gave possession of some Srem lands[4]. George, together with his brother John, received the same rights as the rest of the Hungarian feudal lords. For the Hungarian king, the paramount task was to protect the southern borders of his state from attacks by the Turks, which was entrusted to the Serbs. For the Serbian people, the Brankovich despots were continuers of the work of the previous Serbian rulers. They themselves kept the hope that someday they would be able to restore the power of their ancestors.
Saints Brankovichi: St. Maxim, Venerable. Anglina, St. John and St. Stefan Blind. Icon 1753 Nikola Neskovic
Over time, the despot George renounced power in favor of his younger brother John and took monastic vows with the name Maxim. The relatively calm period in Angelina’s life was interrupted in 1502 by the death of her youngest son, Despot John. By this time, only her eldest son remained among her relatives. Together with the monk Maximus, Angelina was forced to go to Wallachia to the governor John Radul, where they took with them the relics of Saints Stephen and John.
A warm welcome awaited them in Wallachia. Maxim worked for the good of the Church and became an influential person in the spiritual life of the country, so that he was soon elected Metropolitan of Vlakhosaplaninsky. He played a key role in the reconciliation of Voivode Radul with the Moldavian Voivode Bogdan. When things almost came to bloodshed, Saint Maximus convinced the warring parties to reconcile. Together with their mother, they did many other good deeds in those parts.
St. Maxim Brankovich. Modern fresco. Grgeteg Monastery. Photo: Hierome Ignai (Shestakov)
After the change of ruler in Wallachia, Bishop Maxim was sent as an envoy to Budapest to King Vladislav, and since he no longer enjoyed the former favor of the Wallachian rulers, around 1509 he returned to Srem, followed by his mother Angelina. By this time, she also took monastic vows, keeping her former name. This is evidenced by a letter sent in 1509 to Moscow, where she signed herself as a humble nun.
Some time later, Saint Maximus was elected Metropolitan of Belgrade and Srem. Together with his mother, he built the Krushedol Monastery in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary[5]. Bishop Maxim moved his see from Belgrade here, thus renewing the Archdiocese of Srem. On January 18, 1516, he departed to the Lord and was buried in the Krushedol Monastery.
Nun Angelina followed the pious traditions of all Serbian rulers and helped the Svyatogorsk monasteries a lot. Even before moving to Srem, despite the difficult financial situation, the Brankovichi helped the Hilandar monastery. A special letter issued by them to the monastery on this occasion dates back to March 20, 1486. It is interesting that by that time her sons George and John had never seen the land of their ancestors, but were imbued with the spirit of Serbian piety. In the document they also commemorated Saints Nemanjić, Simeon and Sava, whose traditions of pious deeds they followed.
Reverend Mother Angelina. Fresco in the Intercession Cathedral of the New Gracanica Monastery, USA. Photo: Hierom. Ignatius (Shestakov)
In 1496, when the Brankovics ruled Srem, Angelina and her sons again gave charity to the Hilandar monastery[6]. According to one of the Hilandar charters, they donated 1000 ducats annually. A year earlier, the monastery of St. Paul received a charter from them, according to which 500 ducats were donated to the monastery annually. The Svyatogorsk monastery of Esphigmen also received donations from them. In 1499, Angelina and Despot John issued a document on this occasion.
Some researchers believe that the Brankovics were the largest Serbian donors after the Nemanjic dynasty to the monasteries of the Holy Mountain. At the same time, we must not forget that Angelina and her sons almost never lived in excess and rarely lived in prosperity. The story of Angelina and her family is one of constant exile. The care of the Svyatogorsk monasteries speaks of their special commitment to the Serbian tradition and the spiritual heritage of Saint Sava.
Nun Angelina maintained connections with the Moscow Principality. In 1509, she wrote to Grand Duke Vasily III and asked for help in building a temple in the name of St. John Chrysostom, in which she wanted to place the relics of her husband Stephen and son John. In her message she calls them saints. Angelina wrote that she was sending her deceased son to Prince Vasily. Apparently, we were talking about military armor and uniform of the rider.
In the second letter to the Moscow prince, the “humble nun Angelina, former Despotorita” asked him to take under the protection of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on the Holy Mountain. The Moscow Grand Duke responded to Angelina and sent help for the construction of the temple. Angelina’s requests bore fruit, and the Russian princes took the Svyatogorsk monastery under their protection.
The patronage activity of Saint Angelina is inseparable from the work of all the Brankovichs in the creation and renovation of Orthodox monasteries and churches, but she can rightfully be called one of the most zealous representatives of the family in this matter. On the famous Frushka Mountain [7] there is practically not a single shrine that is not in one way or another connected with the names of Angelina, Vladika Maxim or Despot John, and even when there is no exact written evidence about this, folk tradition still connects the care of monasteries and churches with them. There are many such shrines in the Romanian Banat[8].
It is believed that Angelina and her sons also built the Fenech Monastery[9]. She also built a small church in honor of the Presentation of the Lord in the village of Krushedol, at which a convent was founded. This happened after 1512, after the construction of the Krushedol monastery was completed.
The Brankovics also helped monasteries in other Serbian lands, for example the Krupa Monastery, one of the oldest Orthodox spiritual centers in Dalmatia[10].
St. Angelina Serbskaya. Icon in the Grgeteg Monastery. Photo: Hierome Ignatius (Shestakov) Saint Angelina, who loved books since childhood, took special care of the handwritten heritage of the Brankovich family. She had her own large library, as evidenced by the books that have survived to this day, now in the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchal Library in Belgrade. Due to numerous wars, shocks and relocations, only a small part of the library has reached us. Some books contain notes that they belonged to Angelina. There is a record of this, for example, in the books of St. John Chrysostom “Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew”, “Commentary on the Acts of the Holy Apostles”, “Six Days”, as well as in other books. On the last pages of the “Ladder,” rewritten in 1434 by the monk David, the inscription remains: “This is the book of Despotorina Angelina the nun.”
The Venerable Angelina, like most noble wives of her era, was engaged in needlework, especially gold embroidery and decorating covers and fabrics for the Church. There is a mention of one of her gifts - the cover placed on the relics of St. John the Merciful in Bratislava. In the city of Zadar there was a cover for the relics of the righteous Simeon the God-Receiver, embroidered with gold, silver and beads, which is also attributed to the work of the hands of Saint Angelina.
Angelina was destined to outlive her husband and both sons, whom the Lord glorified as saints. In the monastery of the Presentation of the Lord, which she erected near Krushedol, she devoted herself to prayer, works of mercy and care for churches and monasteries. This exemplary Christian woman, wife, and nun was popularly nicknamed “Mother Angelina” for her labors and good deeds. Having lived a godly and holy life, she peacefully departed to the Lord on July 30, 1520.
The monk was buried next to the same monastery where she labored, and a few years later her body was found incorrupt, transferred to the Krushedol monastery and there placed in the same shrine with the relics of her youngest son, despot John. Later, in front of the altar of the monastery church, a large shrine was built with the relics of Saints Brankovich, in which lay the remains of Saint Stephen the Blind, Venerable Angelina and their sons - Saint Maxim and the blessed despot John.
Krushedol Monastery
Being the largest and most significant monastery in the region, Krušedol over time turned into a center of spiritual and cultural life for local Serbs, and then into the center of the restored Belgrade-Srem Metropolitanate. The relics of the Brankovic saints were one of the greatest shrines and a consolation for all Serbs who flocked to them in search of intercession. The miraculous relics rested in the monastery until 1716, when the Turks, avenging their defeat in the Battle of Petrovaradin, burned them along with the monastery. Only the left hand of Saint Angelina and parts of the relics of other Branković saints have survived.
A service to the Venerable Angelina, shortly after the appearance of her miraculous relics, was written by one of the monks of Krushedol. The life of the saint was written quite early. The edition of the life, preserved in a handwritten menia of the 16th century, was translated into modern Serbian by Bishop Mitrofan (Šević) (late 19th – early 20th centuries). It is located in Rimnitsa and Moscow Serbljak[11] and is somewhat different from the prologue life from Belgrade Serbljak.
The veneration of the Venerable Angelina spread quite quickly, the reason for which was her life full of sorrows, love and devotion. Three times she had to transfer the relics of her husband and twice of her son. In these difficult moments, she was alone in a foreign land, without anyone close to her.
The liturgical and ecclesiastical glorification of Saint Angelina is inextricably linked with the general veneration of her entire family - the Brankovich saints. This is reflected in the large number of their images on icons and frescoes. At the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, liturgical texts and lives of these saints began to appear. The general service to the Brankovic saints, considered the patron saints of the Serbs in difficult times, was written in the 1590s. The Menaion for July from the Krušedol Monastery contains the “Service to the Holy Mother Angelina Branković.” This handwritten text is now in the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. The service reflects the Christian virtues of the saint: purity of ascetic life and religion, boundless mercy, patience and wisdom, marital fidelity and maternal sacrifice. It also talks about healings and miracles occurring at her relics.
In the 19th century, there was a special veneration of the Venerable Angelina, which was reflected in almost all spheres of the cultural and social life of the Serbian people. Such veneration is characteristic of our days. Wherever the Orthodox Serbian people lived and live, many organizations, choirs, sisterhoods, charitable and cultural-educational societies bore and bear the name of St. Angelina. So Saint Angelina even now takes care of her people, without leaving them with her maternal cover.
The saint is depicted on all icons of the Brankovich saints, usually wearing a black monastic schema with a cross in her right hand. Icons and frescoes depicting the saint can be found in many Serbian monasteries and churches. And in new churches, the face of St. Angelina is almost invariably present on their paintings and iconostases.
Ark containing particles of the relics of saints Branković in the Krušedol monastery. Photo: Hierome Ignatius (Shestakov)
The surviving part of the relics of the Venerable Angelina now rests in the Krushedol Monastery, where you can come and venerate this great saint.
On August 12, when the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the saint, there is a significant celebration in Krušedol, to which the believing Orthodox people flock. Saint Angelina is also commemorated on December 10/23, together with other Brankovic saints.
How and when to congratulate on Angel's Day?
Angelines don't like surprises too much (except perhaps only from very close people), so don't try to surprise this girl too much. Your attention will already be very pleasant and unexpected for her. According to the church calendar, Angelina Day is celebrated on July 14 and 30, August 12, and December 23. It is on these days that the memory of St. Angelina of Serbia is venerated.
Angelina must visit church on this day, light candles and confess. If possible, it is advisable to take communion the next day. You need to know the prayers of your saint and turn to her for help at the right moments. It is believed that the patron after whom a person is named is a guardian angel who will help him all his life. It is imperative to say words of thanksgiving to the Venerable Angelina of Serbia on the day of the Angel of Angelina.
The date that symbolizes the name day can be chosen alone and celebrated as a second celebration. For example, of all four days on which the memory of Angelina of Serbia is revered, you can choose one, the most important - December 23, and celebrate the name day on this day. But most often the date that is closest to the birthday of the birthday person is chosen.
During her lifetime, Angelina Branković built the Krušedol Monastery in Serbia
Angelina became a nun around 1509. In 1512, after returning from Wallachia, Angelina founded a convent. In 1509, she sent a confessor to the Russian Prince Vasily III with a request for help in maintaining holy churches and monasteries.
1509
this year Angelina became a nun
She also wrote that she had such a desire to build a church where she would rest the relics of her husband and son John. The site was ready for construction. The prince decided to help Angelina; in addition to the temple, cells were built for the nuns.
Then the famous Krushedol monastery appeared. In the last years of her life, Angelina became the abbess of this monastery. There she spent her last days in prayer over the relics of her husband.
Krušedol Monastery in Serbia, erected by Angelina of Serbia. In the last years of her life, Angelina was the abbess of this monastery
Saint Angelina died in 1520. This woman was remembered as kind and sympathetic. She had truly masculine fortitude, boundless mercy, patience and wisdom.
In Orthodoxy, Mother Angelina became one of the most revered Serbian saints. Her relics are kept in the same Krushedol monastery. Once the monastery was burned by the Turks, only the saint’s hand survived.
Particles of her relics were also preserved in the monastery in the village of Khopovo, which was built in the first half of the 20th century. One day nuns settled in the monastery, and it was they who brought a piece of her relics to France.
What fate and character can the bearer of this name boast of?
It seems to many that the owner of this heavenly name must be a real angel in the flesh. But (as with most “obvious” names) everything turns out exactly the opposite.
The character of most Angels is strong and stubborn.
It is interesting that winter Angela is stubborn, it is extremely difficult to negotiate with her; she is very mercantile, for the sake of her own benefit she can deceive even a loved one. While the summer Angela is extremely trusting.
For example, immediately after school she may fall in love with a gigolo, marry him and ruin her entire youth.
- Childhood. From an early age, the baby begins to conflict with her mother, not wanting to obey her unquestioningly. She loves to command, and if she doesn’t like something, she immediately gets angry. He can easily fight with the boys.
- School. She doesn't like to study. However, in preparation for release, she herself takes on the books she needs, without asking anyone for help.
- Youth. This is a homebody, not particularly eager to visit her friends. However, if they run to her, she is very happy. She seems nice, but not for long. In fact, she is a terrible jealous woman who considers her boyfriend (and sometimes her girlfriend) to be her property. Sometimes a girl tries to be good, and deeply hides her own pride from others, and from herself too - but everything results in a tendency to intrigue and gossip.
- Mature years. This is an excellent hostess. Such women are sometimes called “horses” (in a good sense), since they work constantly, never get tired, do not get sick, and are not “knocked down” even by constant lack of sleep and malnutrition.
If you believe in luck , you will be interested to know that the talisman stone of the bearer of this name is lapis lazuli, chrysolite and turquoise, and the color of the name is blue, sea green, light green. Ideal zodiac sign: Aquarius, Libra.
As for name compatibility , the best life partners for this girl are Alexey, Vladimir, Valentin, Igor, Kirill, and Yuri. Such male names as Anatoly, Vladislav, Veniamin, Grigory, Gennady, Dmitry, Daniil, Oleg have poor compatibility.
“Personal Angel”: the life of Saint Angelina
Angelina Serbskaya, also known as Mother Angelina or Angelina Srpska (this is how her name is written in her homeland) is a noble woman, the daughter of the Albanian prince George from the Arianiti family. Information about her mother has not been preserved; it is only known that she raised the girl to be kind and pious.
Her husband was Stefan Brankovic, the Serbian ruler. Married to him, Angelina gave birth to four children, two boys and two girls.
However, their happiness was short-lived: the family had to spend about ten years in exile, hiding from the Turks in one of the Italian regions.
After the death of her husband, Angelina moved to the Srem region, where her family was allocated an estate. The body of her husband was reburied in the same soil.
Almost immediately after the move, the woman took monastic vows . With the help of the Russian Prince Vasily the Third (father of Ivan the Terrible), who gave her money, and her son Maxim, she began to build a church in which she placed the remains of her husband (people already considered them miraculous). Cells for nuns were built nearby.
The church grew to the size of a monastery, called Krushedol. Angelina became his first mother superior.
Although it was burned by the Turks at the beginning of the 18th century, the Serbs later carefully restored it, and Manastir Krušedol still exists, and, moreover, is considered one of the most significant cultural monuments of their country.
You can learn more about Saint Angelina, as well as her revered family, from this video:
After watching, you might be left with the only logical question - what does the prefix “despotissa”, attached to the name of the saint, mean?
Is this really the feminine version of the word “despot”, that is, “tyrant”?
We answer: indeed, this word comes from “despot,” but that means it’s not at all what you thought! In Serbia there was such a title, which came to this country from Byzantium.
It denoted the highest court position, bestowed by the ruler for special merits, and in the case of Serbia it was an analogy to the princely title. That is, despotissa Angelina means “ruler.”
Tell your fortune for today using the “Card of the Day” Tarot layout!
For correct fortune telling: focus on the subconscious and don’t think about anything for at least 1-2 minutes.
