Life
Saint John Vladimir, Serbian prince, lived at the end of the tenth and the beginning of the eleventh century. He was the ruler of Duklja — a principality encompassing the coastal and mountain lands of present-day Montenegro and northern Albania. He was distinguished by exceptional piety, gentleness, and a humility unusual for a man of royal blood; the Church found more inspiration for him in icons of the saints than in war and politics.
When the Bulgarian tsars Samuel and his successors exerted strong pressure on the Serbian lands, John Vladimir was unable to retain by military force all that rightfully belonged to him. Around 997 Bulgarian arms compelled him to withdraw into the mountains, where, according to tradition, divine providence concealed him in solitude and prayer. Even so, Bulgarian soldiers found him and brought him as a captive before Tsar Samuel. And there the holiness of this prince was shown — even in captivity he preserved his faith and dignity, and the tsar himself began to esteem him for this.
According to hagiographic tradition, Kosara, the daughter of Tsar Samuel, caught sight of John Vladimir and fell in love with him. She asked her father to give her to the Serbian prince in marriage, and the tsar, honoring her request and respecting John Vladimir’s character, consented. John Vladimir was released from captivity, returned to Duklja with Kosara as his wife, and continued to rule his principality, now as a Bulgarian vassal.
After Samuel’s death the rule was taken by Gabriel Radomir. The new Bulgarian tsar was harsher and more ruthless than his father, and bore toward John Vladimir a deep envy on account of the prince’s holiness and the widespread love of the people. Luring him with false and cunning promises of safe passage, he invited John Vladimir to Prēspa. When the prince arrived, on May 22, 1016, Gabriel Radomir had his head cut off. According to tradition, John Vladimir knew what fate awaited him, but refused to avoid the martyr’s death — he accepted the journey like a lamb going to slaughter, carrying the cross as a conscious taking-on of Christ’s Passion.
Immediately after his death, miracles began to appear at the place where the blood of the holy prince had been shed. The relics of Saint John Vladimir are kept in the monastery of the Immaculate (Prečista Krajinska) near Elbasan in Albania. Each year on the day of his feast, May 22 by the Julian calendar, a pilgrimage of the faithful is organized in Elbasan, and the Christ-like holy things attract Orthodox faithful from Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Popular tradition calls him the patron of righteous rulers and a testimony that holiness can be reached both on a throne and under a sword.
Tropar (Tone 4)
Adorned with righteousness and meekness, O Prince of Duklja John, thou didst joyfully receive the Cross of Christ and lay down thy head for the faith. Crowned with the blood of martyrdom, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
Let us worthily praise the prince and martyr John Vladimir, who by the will and love of Christ endured captivity, bondage, and death. As intercessor for the Serbian people we bring thee prayer: forsake us not, sinners, before the face of God.