SAINT ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED PATRON SAINT OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

Belgrade, 13 December 2007 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine and Prince Philip celebrated today The Royal Family’s Patron Saint Day – Saint Andrew the First Called in their home in Belgrade.

In the morning, with the blessing of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, the Divine Liturgy was served at The Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First Called by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral, together with the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The ceremony of cutting of the Slava cake followed in the Blue Room of The Royal Palace.

Besides Their Royal Highnesses the Slava ceremony was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan of Dabro-Bosnia Nicolay, Their Graces: Bishop of Zvornik and Tuzla Vasilije, Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije, Bishop of Sumadija Jovan, Bishop of Lipljane Teodosije, Bishop of Backa Irinej, Bishop of Raska and Prizren Artemije, Bishop of Budim and Niksic Joanikije, Bishop of Sabac Lavrentije, and Bishop of Branicevo Ignatije, representatives of religious communities Bishop of Subotica Janos Penzes, Rabi Isak Asiel, Father Momir Lecic, Mr. Dragomir Acovic, member of The Privy Council, Mr. Predrag Markovic, member of The Crown Council, Mr. Ceda Antic, member of The Crown Cabinet, Mr. Matija Beckovic, member of The Crown Council, Mr. Djordje Djurisic, member of The Crown Cabinet, Prof. Miroslav Gasic, Prof. Pavle Nikolic, Prof. Predrag Palavestra, Prof. Milorad Pavic, Mr. Milorad Savicevic, Prof. Bogoljub Sijakovic, Mrs. Svetlana Velmar-Jankovic, Mr. Vladan Zivulovic, Prof. Dr. Vladan Perisic, dean of the Faculty of Theology, Mrs. Ljiljana Pekic, Mrs. Olja Popovic, and Mrs. Milena Pesic.

During the Slava lunch after the ceremony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander addressed the distinguished guests and friends, wishing them a very warm welcome, and emphasising:

“In my name and on behalf of my wife, my son Philip as well as Peter and Alexander, I wish to thank you all for giving us the great pleasure by attending this wonderful ceremony of glorifying the holiday of our home – St. Andrew the First Called. We are very grateful to His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral, for the magnificent Liturgy he performed at The Royal Church. We pray for the health of His Holiness the Patriarch of Serbia, I wish you all peace, joy, and fulfilment of the most noble desires and aims. May the Grace of God be upon all of us and our people”, Crown Prince Alexander II emphasized.

Following the speech, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije received the Karadjordje’s Star on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle.

Two Slava receptions took place at The White Palace during the afternoon and evening. On this occasion, Their Royal Highnesses welcomed: representatives of the Government, Diplomatic Corps, members of the Privy Council, Crown Council, Crown Cabinet, as well as city and town Mayors, diplomatic corps, international organizations, all religious communities, local and international NGOs, cultural institutions, sports associations, media, health institutions, and numerous distinguished persons from the cultural, political, business, academic and public life of Serbia