HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS MARKING ST. VITUS DAY WITH SERBIAN COMMUNITY
IN UNITED KINGDOM

Belgrade, 29 June 2008 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II is in the United Kingdom marking St. Vitus Day in Birmingham, with the Serbian community. Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine is in Athens with her elderly parents who have been unwell.

The main event took place yesterday at the Lazarica church in Birmingham on the occasion of St. Vitus Day (28th June), to commemorate the Kosovo Battle of 1389, also 40 years since the consecration of the Lazarica Serbian Orthodox Church in Birmingham, as well as the Patron Saint Day of the church.

Father Milenko Zebic, the eldest and senior Serbian Orthodox priest in the United Kingdom, celebrated his retirement today. On the occasion of his retirement and acknowledging many years of his work, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander decorated Father Milenko Zebic with the Grand Cross Order of the Crown.

In his speech, the Crown Prince emphasized: “Today we are marking several important events of which the St. Vitus Day one is very important to all Serbs and particularly poignant this year and extremely sad. The other event is very important for the Serbian community in the United Kingdom and it is about St Lazarica church which is celebrating forty years and lastly Father Zebic who has devoted so much to make this beautiful church possible.

Father Zebic is with us today, he never ran away from his duty and for whom quitting and surrendering have had no meaning. I have known Father Zebic for most of my life and I admire him very much.

That is why I bestow upon Father Zebic the Grand Cross Order of the Crown. Thank you, Father Milenko, for everything and may God bless you and may you be shined upon with your merits and your family, to live a long and healthy life in good health and strong spirit, for many years to come”, emphasized the Crown Prince in his speech.