Jovan Branković

Jovan Branković
Detail of Andreja Raičević's icon (c. 1645), depicting Jovan as a saint
Despot of Serbia
Reign	1496–1502
Predecessor	Đorđe Branković
Successor	Jelena Jakšić
Died	10 December 1502
Burial	Krušedol monastery
Spouse	Jelena Jakšić
House	Branković
Father	Stefan Branković
Mother	Angelina
Religion	Serbian Orthodox Christian

Jovan Branković (pronounced [jɔ̌v̞an brǎːnkɔv̞itɕ] ; died 10 December 1502) was the titular Despot of Serbia from 1496 until his death in 1502. He held the title of despot given to him by Vladislas II of Hungary, and ruled a region known as Rascia, being equivalent of modern Vojvodina, under the Kingdom of Hungary. Despot Jovan was the last Serbian Despot of the Branković dynasty, which was regarded as legitimate successors of the "holy Nemanjić's", they continued the ktetorship to Hilandar and other sacred things to protect the nation and the religion (Serbian Orthodox Church). He was proclaimed a Saint in 1505, under the name Saint Despot Jovan.

The Ottoman Empire had conquered Serbia during the rule of Stefan Tomašević; Sultan Mehmed II had arrived at Smederevo, and by June 20, 1459, the Serbian capital was officially conquered. In 1463, they had conquered Bosnia as well.

In 1404, Sigismund of Hungary gave Stefan Lazarević the Syrmia region. His successor, Đurađ Branković, Jovan's grandfather, began ruling in 1427. Đurađ Branković was deemed by his contemporaries as the richest monarch, having a steady income from the gold and silver mines of Novo Brdo.