THE APPOINTMENT OF HEGOUMENOS IN SERBIAN MEDIEVAL MONASTERIES
THE APPOINTMENT OF HEGOUMENOS IN SERBIAN MEDIEVAL MONASTERIES

Summary/Abstract: The way of electing an hegoumenos was different in Serbian monasteries of different categories, but the rights of ktetors were emphasized in all of them regarding the selection. Fundamentally, the hegoumenos represented the deputy of the ktetor in a monastery. The choice fell on honourable and reliable monks who were able to manage large monastery households as well as to participate in the political life. Dusan’s code positioned hegoumenos in the Serbian medieval society as a link between ecclesiastical and secular authorities, and it emphasized their independence in the management of monasteries as well as the stability of their position. The very act of selecting an hegoumenos was recorded in the typicons for Hilandar and Studenica. By its arrangement, Studenica represented a role model for other Serbian royal monasteries. The ceremony consisted of the religious and the secular part with the participation of the ruler. The hegoumenos of the most signifi cant monasteries participated in the work of the Convocation, and, as a rule, they were appointed by the king. In this way, he could have a certain influence on ecclesiastical issues. The role of the hegoumenos in the medieval society went beyond the scope of the monastic community and it had a political, feudal and social dimension.

• Details
• Contents