"Little Ostrog" in Serbia was kept safe by the people: The story of the "first stone" in Kumanica monastery

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

The Kumanica monastery is located the valley of the Lim River, near the border between Serbia and Montenegro.

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Although there are no historical sources about the time when the monastery was built, according to the plaques found there, the shrine is considered to date from the end of the 13th century.

There are also various legends about the origin of the name of the monastery. According to one, a rich Serb nobleman who fled to the Turks left all his treasures to the family of his best man, and they built a monastery as a sign of remembrance and gratitude.

According to the second legend, the monastery was named after the Kumans who are of Bulgarian origin, while the third says that the monastery was named after the Kumanci family, nobles who were originally from these parts.

What has been recounted for centuries, however, is the terrible fate of a man who took a stone out of Kumanica without a blessing, as the Turks were ruthlessly demolishing it. Allegedly, after some time, both his children died, and he felt deep remorse for stealing the stone, so he decided to return it.

Since then, many believe that anyone who sincerely repents for the any misdead and pray for the salvation of their soul in Kumanica will have their sins forgiven, but on the condition that they never commit them again.

The fact that the believers organized protests during the construction of a railway that was supposed to pass in the middle of a then destroyed church speaks volumes about how strong the cult of Kumanica is in our people. In the end, the faithful managed to get the railway slightly rerouted, and for "Mali Ostrog" - as Kumanica is still called by the people - to be renewed and remain in its place, in the Kumanica Gorge.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)