Copy of Dusan's Code was created in this Fruska Gora monastery: The legend of Rakovac

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

The Rakovac Monastery, which dates back to the end of the 15th century, is located along the Rakovacki Stream, on the northern slopes of Mt. Fruska Gora.

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The monastery's church is dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian and is one of the most beautiful shrines in this part of Serbia.

As there is a legend attached to every place of worship in our country, so there is also one about the founding of the Rakovac Monastery.

According to that story, Raka Milosevic, the great chamberlain of Despot of Serbia Jovan Brankovic, killed a deer in the place where the monastery is today. Since the deer is considered a symbol of solitude and purity of the monastic vocation, Raka vowed to raise a shrine at the place where he killed the innocent animal and thus atone for his sin.

Historical records reveal that a copy of Dusan's Code was created in the Rakovac Monastery. Namely, in the second half of the 17th century, there was a copying school in this shrine.

Also, in 1714, Srbljak was completed in Rakovac - a manuscript document which contains all the songs written in praise of Serbian rulers who were canonized.

On several occasions, this nunnery was set on fire and damaged. It was first burned to the ground in 1687, then suffered in the First and Second World Wars, and was reconstructed in the early 1960s. The monastery church was by and large renovated three decades ago.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Telegraf.rs)