SAINT ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED – PATRON SAINT OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

Belgrade, 13 December 2004 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine celebrated today The Royal Family’s saint day - Saint Andrew the First Called, the Patron Saint of The Royal Family.

In the morning His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Pavle served the Holy Liturgy at The Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First Called, together with Father Vladan Perisic. The cutting of the Slava cake followed in the Blue Room of The Royal Palace. Besides Their Royal Highnesses the Slava ceremony was attended by TRH Princess Linda and Princes George and Michael, His Eminence Amfilohije Metropolitan of Montenegro, Their Graces: Bishop of Sabac and Valjevo Lavrentije, Bishop of Nis Irinej, Bishop of Tuzla and Zvornik Vasilije, Bishop of Banat Nikanor, Bishop of Backa Irinej, Bishop of Raska and Prizren Artemije, Bishop of Branicevo Ignjatije, Bishop of Jegar Porfirije, Bishop of Lipljan Teodosije, the President of the Serbian National Parliament Mr. Predrag Markovic, the Minister of Religion of Serbia  Mr. Milan Radulovic, members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown with their families, and also the daughter of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Mrs. Alison Andrews and Mr. Alexandros Costopulos.

His Holiness addressed all present with the following words:

“On this holy day I call upon everybody to wish all the best to everyone because then we can look forward to receiving the good ourselves too. I wish you a happy Slava (Patron Saint Day) and may the Lord give you all what is holy and truthful.”

After the cutting of the cake, the Slava lunch took place for the distinguished guests. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander in his address to His Holiness, Their Eminences and Graces, and distinguished guests mentioned:

“Your Holiness, thank you for your prayers and today’s Holy Liturgy to our Lord in honour of Saint Andrew, for the wellbeing and salvation of all of us and of our people, wherever they might be. Your fatherly concern and the concern of esteemed archpriests give us strength in these hard times and serve as a road sign. May the Lord give us all his blessing and good spiritual and bodily health, so that in the years to come we will gather in prayer on this day in the home of my ancestors” – stressed out the Crown Prince.

The President of Iceland His Excellency Mr.Olafur Ragnar Grimmson and his wife Mrs. Dorrit Moussaieff and their closest associates joined the celebration.

Two Slava receptions took place in The White Palace during the day. H.E. the President of Serbia Mr. Boris Tadic and his wife, the representatives of the Government of Serbia, the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, the Police, the Gendarmerie, the diplomatic corps, religious communities, local and international non governmental organizations, local and international cultural institutions, media and health institutions, and numerous figures from the cultural, political and public life of Serbia have attended the receptions hosted by Their Royal Highnesses.