Atanasije Antonijević
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Atanasije Antonijević (around 1734-1804) was a Serbian archpriest of Bukovica known for blessing Karađorđe and the insurgents in Orašac in 1804 which percipitated the Serbian Revolution.
Biography
Atanasije Antonijević, son of Antonio Popović, was born in Bukovik near Bukulj. He got his first education with his uncle, the priest of Bukovica, Jeftimije, and then he went to Belgrade where he learned the craft of abadjia. He learned Turkish and Greek in Belgrade, which will be of great benefit to the insurgents in the years to come. After the sudden death of his uncle Jeftimije, Atanasije was ordained to the rank of a priest and soon afterwards to the rank of archpriest. Atanasije had a brother Arsenije who was a merchant in Zemun and other brothers, as well as a sister whose son was Vasilije Stefanović Saramanda, who stood out in the First Serbian Uprising.
Participation in the Uprising
Thanks to his knowledge of the Greek language, he was on good terms with the Greek bishops in Serbia, and thanks to his knowledge of Turkish, he learned that the execution of Karađorđe was planned in the "slaughter of princes". He informed him about it in time and thus saved his life. He kept in constant contact with him and encouraged him to raise the Uprising. The first insurgents will gather at the wedding of their son Stevan Tomić in Orašac, at the end of 1803. On that occasion, Father Atanasija swore to the conspirators in the Marićević ditch that he would not reveal the secret of his agreement: "Brothers, it has been so many hundreds of years since all our glory was buried in the grave in Kosovo. The holy altars of God, which adorned Serbia as flowers for our emperors and kings, are today dishonoured stables for Turkish horses. The image of our wives, sisters and daughters is trampled underfoot as if we were all real slaves. But, brethren, in the name of the Creator of God and our Savior, let us rise up in arms! God will help us, and the king will approve it because these bloodsuckers are also working on his head! "[1] When the Uprising began, Atanasije swore the people's leaders to mutual harmony and loyalty to Karadjordj. Although old, Uncle Atanasija took part in the first battle with the Turks in Drlupa. One group of insurgents is commanded by Karadjordj, the other by Proto. Just before the battle, Prota addressed the insurgents as follows: "Brothers here comes to fight with the Turks. Do not, brothers, withdraw or be afraid. God is with us, so who else should we be afraid of? you swear to strike in unison and not to betray. " "Let us swear," cried all the people. [1]
The cross with which Atanasije Antonijević blessed Karadjordj's insurgents (Museum of the First Serbian Uprising).