The year of 1389 seems like an insignificant moment on a forgotten page in history, except for Serbian people. Even the weakest students in Serbian schools know what happened in 1389, on the 28th of June. A single day and a single battle defined the national identity of Serbian people, and they have been highly respected for eight centuries. Vidovdan is a holiday celebrated on the 28th of June which perpetually revitalizes history and unifies Orthodox doctrine, pagan heritage and folk superstitions.

Historically, the events that happen on Vidovdan become milestones in national and political context. Among numerous historic events that took place on the 28th of June and repeatedly shaped Serbian history, the initial root of the reverence of this day dates back to 1389 and the elusive Battle of Kosovo. This was one of the first attempts of the Ottoman occupation of Serbia. The battle is, however, shrouded in mystery and legends.

Official historical records describe the Battle of Kosovo as either a battle without a winner or a Serbian defeat. Undoubtedly, both sides suffered extreme losses, both leaders died and most of the Serbian nobility, as well. However, various subsequent events raise concerns and question the data available. After the assumed victory, the Turkish army retreated and left Serbia. A low tax that a part of Serbian nobility had to pay to a new sultan also did not indicate the total submission and defeat. The real occupation was actually postponed for approximately 70 years i.e. the middle of the 15th century, when Serbian territory was officially invaded and annexed to the Ottoman Empire. Furthermore, the ringing of Notre Dame bells marked the victory of Christianity against Islam, while Florentin officials congratulated members of the Serbian army on the successful protection of Christian Europe. In that sense, history failed to elucidate the reasons for the retreat of Turks from the presumably conquered territory, postponed occupation and the celebration of Christian victory that was to be converted into a defeat.

The religious background of Vidovdan is dual in nature as it peculiarly merges Christianity and pagan heritage. The Serbian Orthodox church, celebrates Prince Lazar, who was the leader of the Serbian army in the Battle of Kosovo. After imprisonment and execution, Lazar’s body was found undecayed and has been preserved until today in Ravanica Monastery. Lazar is celebrated for choosing heavenly glory and sacrificing his earthly life and wealth in order to avoid a submissive position under Ottoman rule.

On the other hand, the mere name of the holiday — ‘Vidovdan’ — was derived from the name of an old Slavic god whose name was (Sveto)Vid. The pagan god was associated with sight and thought to help with eye diseases. Vid was considered the supreme god of all Slavic people and apparently had four heads and an ability to see everything, hence the name. His prophecies were the most accurate and, in comparison with Vid, other gods were considered only semi-deities. In pre-Christian era, Slavic people glorified Vid in order to ensure good eyesight, opulent yields and success in wars, farm and house works. Ultimately, in the 19th century Vidovdan was recognized by the Serbian Orthodox church, included in the calendar and annually celebrated with utmost devotion and respect for the ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the attempt to prevent Ottoman invasion.

The remarkable nature of Vidovdan therefore lies in inherently contradictory concepts of victory and defeat, Christianity and paganism, historical facts and folk beliefs. The divergent aspects, however, miraculously unify people and constitute Serbian national identity. Eradicated superstitions, open questions and mysticism surrounding the eight-century long reverence of Vidovdan are teaching modern generations that only spirituality guarantees permanence, while knowledge and remembrance represent an eternal and undisputable victory.

Gazimestan: the memorial site and monument commemorating the Battle of Kosovo