CROWN PRINCE ATTENDS 800th ANNIVERSARY OF ZICA MONASTERY

Belgrade, 7 October 2006 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II accompanied by Mr. Acovic Member of Privy Council attended the celebration of the 800th Anniversary of Zica Monastery near Kraljevo.

The official celebration started with Holy Hierarchical Liturgy in Zica Monastery officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Jovan of Zagreb and Ljubljana and many other Bishops of Serbian Orthodox Church. Following this guests attended lunch in the Monastery.

Beside His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II and Mr. Acovic the celebration was also attended by HE Radmir Naumov, Minister of Energy and Mining and HE Milan Radulovic Minister of Religion. Delegations of the local municipality and many citizens from all parts of Serbia were also present.

The foundation of the Serbian King Stefan Nemanjic, the First-Crowned, monastery Zica was built between in the year 1208 and 1230. In 1219, Zica became the first seat of the Serbian Archbishopric. The church, dedicated to the Ascension of Our Lord, displays the features of the Raska School. The ground plan is a spacious nave with a large apse at its eastern end. The central space is domed. The church was built of stone and brick. Architecturally, the Byzantine spirit prevails.

The celebration of this great anniversary will continue all through St. Symeon’s Day on 7 October 2008.