Between Apocalypticism and Imperial Legitimacy: Contextualizing Perspectives of Demetrius Kantakouzenos on Ottoman Rule in the <i>Vita</i> of Saint John of Rila
Journal: Црквене студије
Year: 2024

This paper analyzes the political and theological perspectives of Demetrius Kantakouzenos, a fifteenth-century post-Byzantine and Slavic author, on Ottoman rule as presented in his Vita of Saint John of Rila.The study examines his views on divine punishment, Ottoman legitimacy, and draws parallels to Byzantine apocalypticism, with particular attention to his portrayal of Sultan Mehmed II (1444-1446, 1451-1481).Additionally, the research explores how Kantakouzenos incorporated Byzantine discourse