Jakov of Serres

[1][2] Evidence about his life is scarce, but his literary legacy suggests an excellent knowledge of Greek and Slavic languages.

In 1343, King (and eventually Emperor) Stefan Dušan began to build the Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren; he appointed Jakov, a learned and highly esteemed monk, its first hegumen (abbot).

Both Stefan Dušan and his wife Jelena were in awe of Jakov's wide knowledge and they often sought his company and counsel.

Copies are also kept at Hilandar Monastery, Mount Athos, Greece, and in libraries in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America.

He is illustrated in the Serbian manuscript of scribe Kalist Rasoder's Tetraevangelion (The Four Gospels) dating to 1354, held at the British Library.