Saint Vukašin Mandrapa

Vukašin Mandrapa (Serbian Cyrillic: Вукашин Мандрапа; died 1942 or 1943), also known as Vukašin of Klepci (Serbian: Вукашин Клепачки, romanized: Vukašin Klepački) is venerated as a Serbian Orthodox saint who was allegedly murdered in the Jasenovac concentration camp. His historical existence is disputed due to a lack of evidence. The sole source for his existence is the account of Nedo Zec, a neurologist who was a prisoner at the camp. The sole account of his life and martyrdom originates from Nedo Zec, a neuropsychiatrist who was a "free prisoner" in the Jasenovac concentration camp. Zec recounted a testimony an Ustaša executioner made to him in January 1943, claiming that he had murdered Mandrapa. According to one version of events, Mandrapa was a farmer and merchant from Klepci, living in Sarajevo. Other sources claim his surname was Toholj and that he was from Lokve. The year of his death is also disputed, with sources citing either 1942 or 1943. Historian Ivo Rendić-Miočević argues that there is no historical evidence for Mandrapa's existence, while the philosopher Aleksandar Pražić argues that Zec's account is fictional. According to Zec's testimony from 1970, Mandrapa was singled out by an Ustaša executioner, allegedly named Friganović (Josip or Mile), due to his stoic behavior during forced labour and mass executions. Friganović allegedly attempted to compel Mandrapa to bless the Ustaše leader Ante Pavelić. Mandrapa refused to do so, even after Friganović had allegedly cut off both his ears and nose after each refusal. After ordering him to shout "Long live Pavelić!" for a fourth time and threatening to take his heart out with a knife, Mandrapa looked at Friganović and calmly stated "Do your job child". Friganović then allegedly cut out Mandrapa's eyes, tore out his heart, and slit his throat.