CROWN PRINCE ATTENDS COMMEMORATION IN PRNJAVOR

Belgrade, 20 May 2007 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II accompanied by Mr. Dragomir Acovic, Member of the Privy Council attended today the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Church of Saint Prophet Elijah and Consecration of the Cultural Centre in Prnjavor, near Sabac.

His Royal Highness was warmly welcomed to Sabac by Mr. Dusan Radosavljevic, Mayor of Sabac with His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of the Midwestern American Metropolitanate and His Grace Bishop of Lavrentije of Valjevo and Sabac.

In a united convoy from Sabac they all arrived in Prnjavor where they were welcomed by Mr. Milutin Jekic and Mr. Zeljko Kulezic, Chief of the Protocol of the Celebration of 100th Anniversary of the Church of Saint Prophet Elijah and Consecration of the Cultural Centre in Prnjavor, Father Miroslav Jakovljevic and Father Miladin Bogdanovic, priests of the Orthodox Church in Prnjavor.

More than a thousand people and 800 pupils from the elementary school “King Alexander Karadjordjevic” made a magnificent welcome for the dear guests.

At the beginning of the ceremony there was a Holy Liturgy in the Church of Saint Prophet Elijah served by His Eminence Metropolitan of Middle-Western America Christofor and His Grace Bishop of Sabac and Valjevo Lavrentije. The Liturgy was also attended by Mr. Milos Milosevic President of the Municipality of Sabac, representatives of the Belgrade branch of the ”Association for Preservation of Tradition of Serbian Liberation Wars until 1918” , directors of public enterprises, donors of the Culture Centre and citizens of Prnjavor village.

Afterwards, next to the Charnel House, a Memorial service was served to honour the World War One soldiers, and Crown Prince Alexander addressed the citizens:

“It is a pleasure to stand here with you today, at the same spot where my grandfather, King Alexander I and my father, King Peter II used to stand. This monument was built during the Kingdom of King Alexander in memory of victims of terror of our enemies, and King Peter II was here to pay respect to our brave fighters that won the first victories against the Austro-Hungarian Army in the Great War for civilization. They would both be very proud to stand here with you today in the democratic Serbia that learns from its past and looks into the future, aiming to reach united Europe and a better life of all its citizens. That is the Serbia I believe in” – emphasised Crown Prince Alexander.

His Royal Highness then laid wreaths at the monument of King Alexander and Dr Archibald Reis with the representatives of the ”Association for Preservation of Tradition of Serbian Liberation Wars until 1918” and afterwards started the Consecration of the reconstructed Cultural Centre in Prnjavor. On the occasion of the official opening of this place of culture in Prnjavor a Spiritual Academy was organised by pupils from the Elementary School “King Alexander Karadjordjevic” and members of the Cultural-artistic Society of “Prnjavor”.

The solemn lunch “Feast of Love” followed, at which Mr. Radosavljevic delivered certificates to the donors of the reconstruction of the Orthodox Temple and the Cultural Centre in Prnjavor with the blessing of His Grace Bishop of Sabac and Valjevo Lavrentije and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander.