VISIT TO PSYHIATRIC HOSPITAL GORNJA TOPONICA

Belgrade, December 3, 2005 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended today a ceremony to mark the end of the first phase of the building of the St. Kоzmas and Damian Church at the compound of the Special psychiatric hospital Gornja Toponica near Nis.

Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine were warmly welcomed by His Grace Irinej, Bishop of Nis, Mr. Milan Stanojkovic, Director of the Special Psychiatric Hospital Gornja Toponica with the hospital staff, the villagers, children and the representatives of Tzar Constantine Painting Association.

“We gathered here today to share the joy of working on this wonderful idea - building a church within the hospital. The day will come soon, when the bells of this church will start ringing”, said Mr. Stanojkovic. He added that it is thanks to Their Royal Highnesses that the Saint Kozmas and Damian Church is being built, and he specially thanked to Princess Katherine, Mrs Laycock, time-honoured associate and advisor to Humanitarian Organisation Lifeline, UK, Mrs. Katy Anderson, from Sweden who provided a bell for church, and to children whose paintings were sold in Greece for collecting financial resources.

The Crown Prince greeted the gathering and expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped the construction of this church, which as an integral part of Special Psychiatric Hospital Gornja Toponica represents a part of the Stability Pact programme “Treating Mental Patients in the Community”. This is the only hospital in Serbia which participates in this programme, beside The World Health Organisation and the Special Commission for Psychiatry of the Serbian Health Ministry.

Afterwards HRH Crown Princess Katherine addressed the gathering saying that she is very glad to be in Toponica again, and very happy to see that the situation is much better now that it used to be when she last came here several years ago. “My husband and I are very happy that we know many people abroad who are willing to help our country and our people. They are happy to send part of their money for reconstruction and building of our hospitals and institutions like yours”, said Princess Katherine in her speech.

His Grace Irinej, Bishop of Nis said “This is a great day for us, because soon this building will serve for those who are in greatest need of help both from God, and from humans”.

The present were also addressed by Mrs. Leycock who said that here she feels herself at home, among the friends, “let the God bless all those who will find comfort here, those from the hospital and those from Gornja Toponica”. The stained glass that symbolise love of God, beauty of the nature and unity of the people was painted by her son, Mr.Stuard Leycock, for the Church of Saint Kosmas and Damian.