[On the last will and testament of Despot Stefan]
The pious Despot Stefan was increasingly seized by a chronic illness from which he had long suffered. Therefore, greatly fearing death, he sent for his nephew, Lord Đurađ, and he came to a place called Srebrenica; and there (the Despot) convened a council with the patriarch, consisting of venerable archbishops and noble authorities and all the chosen ones, and at the council, he blessed him (Đurađ) to rule, saying: “From now on, consider him the lord in my place.” They also performed a prayer over him with the laying on of hands; and all swore to be faithful to him. And he cursed those who would raise any treachery. Then he also made him swear that he would not disregard his upbringing, “but as I alone have thought about everything, so do you. For many have served me whom I failed to reward.” And he taught him much about piety and commandments. Therefore, from then on, they adhered much more faithfully to their young lord than before. And the pious one, having recovered from that illness, walked about doing good.
Translated by Books of Jeremiah
