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Their August
Majesties, Pious Lord and King of Serbia Alexander I and Pious Lady and Queen
of Serbia Draga Obrenović
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Bishop Akakije of Utesiteljevo
The Holy Royal Martyrs Alexander and Draga
Life and Canonization
Recommendation for Inclusion into the Dyptichs of the Holy
Serbian Orthodox Church of the Martyred Royal Couple King Alexander and Queen
Draga Obrenović
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they
shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out
your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for
joy, for behold, great is your reward in heaven. – Luke 6:22-24
Part One
THE LIFE, WORKS, AND MARTYRIC END OF THE HOLY ROYAL MARTYRS
ALEXANDER AND DRAGA
Introduction
The
following life was compiled using the historical material available which
contemporary scholarship divides between academic and journalistic
historiography. Strong political agendas drove the historiography published
shortly after the May Revolution and regicide. For those who had come into power, it was expedient to
portray the king and queen in a negative light to justify the regicide and
revolution, therefore legitimizing the new political authorities. Historians,
journalists, and memoirists from the victorious side had a privileged position
from which to propagate their version of events through educational systems and
media. Such a negative portrayal of the life and deeds of the last Obrenovići
prevails to this day.