IVAN STEPANOVIČ JASTREBOV: FRIEND AND PROTECTOR OF THE SERBIAN PEOPLE IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

Abstract

Favorable geographical position gave the Kosovo and Metohija an important role in the plans of the great powers. Shortly after the conclusion of the Paris Peace Treaty, the region of Kosovo and Metohija enters in the interest of some of great European powers, which were wanted to increase their political influence in the Balkans over this territory. In the fifties and sixties years of the 19th century, Russia with great interest followed the development of the political situation in Old Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. To successfully counter the increasingly strong Austrian propaganda, Russia’s first opened a consulate in Shkoder and then in Prizren. The opening of the Russian Consulate has a great importance for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, because it was the only institution from which the local Serbs could seek for help. Of the entire Russian consul who served in Prizren, Ivan Stepanovich Jastrebov was especially active by his work and dedication. He successfully defended Serbian people of Albanian-Turkish violence, and also actively worked to strengthen of the spiritual and educational life of Serbs in the region. He visited many inaccessible Serbian villages in Metohija and collected historical, ethnological and ethnographic data. He protected orthodoxy and whenever he could, he helped Serbian churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija. The establishment of the Prizren Seminary and starting of journal “Prizren”, which was published in Serbian, was achieved with the help of consul Jastrebov. Everything from Serbia which was sent to Prizren Seminary went over Jastrebov, which about that school was take care as their own endowment. And when, after many years of service left Prizren, Jastrebov not forgotten Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, especially Prizren Seminary. He continued to take care of the interests of the local Serbs, helping them whenever the circumstances allow it. He was remembered as a great patron and friend of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.