FORGOTTEN SON OF THE NEMANJIĆ DYNASTY: He bore an unusual name, had a tragic fate, and his image has been preserved in a fresco at Dečani!

It is not uncommon for the children of medieval rulers, especially those who never ascended the throne themselves, to be forgotten over time to such an extent that even historians today sometimes cannot recall their names. This is more often the case with daughters, but there are also instances where male descendants of famous dynasties have fallen into obscurity. Such is the case with this Nemanjić prince, who bore an exceptionally unusual name.

King Dragutin Nemanjić ruled Serbia during the second half of the 13th century. He was the son of King Uroš I and Helen of Anjou, and he married the Hungarian princess Catherine. Due to historical circumstances, he was removed from the throne by his brother, King Milutin, which meant that Dragutin’s children never inherited the crown and became far less well known in history.

With Catherine, Dragutin had four children whose names have been preserved—two sons and two daughters. The name of his eldest son is particularly intriguing. The prince was called Urošic.

Very little is known about this Serbian nobleman, and even the origin of his unusual name remains unknown.

As the eldest son, he most likely received certain territories from his father to govern, although it is not known which lands these were or when he ruled them. It is also unknown whether Urošic was married. Some sources claim that he was the father of Caesar Vojihna, one of the prominent noblemen during the reign of Emperor Dušan.

His likeness has been preserved in the Nemanjić dynasty fresco at Dečani. The Tavna Monastery on Mount Majevica in Bosnia is believed to be an endowment of Urošic and his brother Vladislav. Some sources also claim that the Papraća Monastery was founded by them and their father.

It is known with certainty that Urošic eventually took monastic vows and thereafter was known as the monk Stefan. Historical records state that he died at a young age and was buried in the Monastery of St. Achillius in Arilje, the endowment of his father.

According to tradition, myrrh flowed from his grave, which led the Serbian Orthodox Church to canonize him as a saint. The feast of Saint Venerable Stefan Urošic the Myrrh-gusher is celebrated on November 11 according to the Julian calendar, or November 24 according to the Gregorian calendar.

His relics are kept at the Papraća Monastery near Zvornik, where they were transferred from the Monastery of St. Achillius in Arilje.