Saint Jovan Branković

Jovan Branković was the titular Despot of Serbia from 1493 until his death in 1502. The title of despot was given to him by Hungarian king Vladislas II of Hungary. From 1493 to 1497 he held the title together with his elder brother Đorđe Branković, who was despot from 1486. In 1497, Đorđe relinquished the title, and Jovan remained the sole Despot of Serbia, until his death in 1502. Jovan was the last Serbian Despot of the Branković dynasty. With his brother he built the Krušedol monastery, and made various donations to Hilandar and other Eastern Orthodox monasteries. He was proclaimed a saint by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Jovan was the younger son of Stefan Branković, exiled Despot of Serbia (1458–1459), and the Albanian Princess Angjelina Arianiti. He was born c. 1465, while his parents were residing in the Castle Belgrado, in the region of Friuli. His father, Despot Stefan, died in 1476 while family was still living in Belgrado. In 1479, Emperor Friedrich III granted them Castle Weitensfeld in Carinthia, and Jovan moved there with the rest of family. Jovan's cousin Vuk Branković, titular Despot of Serbia, died in 1485, without direct heirs. His title and estates in the Kingdom of Hungary were left vacant, prompting Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus to find a suitable heir. He opted for the only remaining male members of Branković family (Đorđe and Jovan), inviting them to come to Hungary. In 1486, they arrived in Hungary, and Jovan's elder brother Đorđe received the title of Despot of Serbia from King Matthias, who granted them possessions in Kupinik, Slankamen, and Berkasovo in the region of Syrmia. From 1493 forwards, the brothers ruled jointly, since Jovan was also granted the title Despot of Serbia, as it was customary in the Kingdom of Hungary that various senior posts be held jointly by two incumbents. In 1497, Đorđe decided to relinquish all of his titles and possessions to Jovan.