In the late 19th century, when Old Serbia (Kosovo and Metohija) was under Turkish rule, it became known that a wooden cross found at the site of the Battle of Kosovo had ended up in the Arbanasi family. By its appearance and other signs, the cross likely belonged to Prince Lazar. It had long been a relic for this family, which was originally Serbian but over time converted to Islam and became part of the Arbanasi ethnic group, a common occurrence at that time.

News of the discovery of Prince Lazar's cross quickly spread throughout Serbia, and many Serbs wanted to acquire this relic. However, the Albanians, understanding its true value, demanded a huge sum for it. Only one pious woman from Belgrade, Draginja Petrović, was able to pay the required price. The cross was purchased and delivered to Belgrade, where special shackles were made for it.

For some time, the cross belonging to Mrs. Petrović was kept in the churches of Belgrade, where anyone could come and kiss it.

However, strangely enough, Mrs. Petrović did not plan to leave this great relic in Serbia. She decided to gift the Kosovo cross of Prince Lazar to Tsar Nicholas II on the day of his coronation. This act was driven by her deep respect for Russia and the Russian Tsar as the main defender of Orthodoxy.

On the day of the coronation, the cross was presented to the emperor along with a letter:

"Your Imperial Majesty,

Blessed Lord,

With deep feelings of loyalty, I humbly bow before the Majesty of the Tsar of All Russia, Protector of the Serbian people, and, falling to my knees at the foot of Your Majesty's throne, I dare to present this sacred sign on the day of the coronation of Tsar Nicholas Alexandrovich and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna.

I ask, Great Lord Emperor, to graciously accept this Holy Cross on this great day of holy coronation and anointing from the love of a faithful Serbian woman and on behalf of all Serbs who feel loyalty and love for Russia.

This Cross (merely wood) was found on the field of Kosovo, where the Serbian emperor, the great martyr Lazar, fell defending the Orthodox faith, his people, and his country from the agrarians.

We hope that the Lord Jesus Christ, who hears and knows all His believers, who raised Russia to defend the faith and the Church of God, will save all Orthodoxy. The Sun of Justice will shine upon the Serbs by the grace of the Russian Monarch, the First Slav.

I fall to my knees before the throne of Your Imperial Majesty and gift this sacred flag out of great love for the Tsar of All Russia, the eternal protector of the Serbian people.

May 1896, Belgrade."