Thomas Preljubović, ruler of Epirus

Thomas Preljubović (Serbian: Тома Прељубовић / Toma Preljubović; Greek: Θωμάς Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος, Thōmas Komnēnos Palaiologos) was ruler of the Despotate of Epirus in Ioannina from 1366 to his death on December 23, 1384. He also held the title of Albanian-slayer after receiving aid from the Ottoman Empire against the Albanian ruler of the Despotate of Arta, Gjin Bua Shpata, after failing to do so independently.Toma is remembered for presenting several outstanding icons to the monastery of the Transfiguration at meteora and in Cuena in Spain, also made gifts to the Athonite monasteries of Great Lavra, Vatopedi, and Hilandar. Toma Preljubović was particularly attached to his namesake the apostle Thomas. In one of the icons at Meteora, a composition of Doubting Thomas includes Toma's wife, Maria-Angelina, among the apostles. It is not unlikely that he was responsible for having the frescoes painted in the Hilandar parekklesion of the Holy Archangels, where, in the lower zone, the apostle Thomas and St. Procopius, the warrior, occupy a prominent place.