Legend of a Serbian Monastery: How a Doe from the Forest Ended Up on a Fresco

Legend of a Serbian Monastery: How a Doe from the Forest Ended Up on a Fresco The Monastery of Saint Prohor Pčinjski’s legend involves Emperor Roman IV Diogenes, a doe seeking refuge, and a prophecy that led to the emperor’s rise and blinding. After finding Saint Prohor’s relics, Diogenes attempted to move them, but they could not be budged from the river Pčinja, leading him to build a church there where his holy relics remain, still exuding myrrh. A recent, unusual encounter with a doe by the same river has mirrored the ancient tale, astonishing a local resident.

• The legend of Saint Prohor and a doe is commemorated in a fresco at the Monastery of Saint Prohor Pčinjski.
• Emperor Roman IV Diogenes founded the monastery after Saint Prohor prophesied his ascension to emperor.
• The doe, fleeing hunters, sought refuge with Saint Prohor, an event that inspired the monastery’s legend.
• After being blinded, Diogenes sought Saint Prohor’s relics, but they could not be moved from the river Pčinja, leading him to build the monastery on that spot.
• The monastery was later renovated by Serbian King Milutin in the 14th century.
• Recently, a local resident had an unusual encounter with a doe by the river Pčinja, mirroring the ancient legend.
• The relics in the monastery are said to exude holy myrrh.