STATEMENT OF HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II ON THE PASSING OF HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH ALEXEI II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

Belgrade, 5 December 2008 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II with great sorrow received the news about the death of His Beatitude Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia.

The Crown Prince sent condolences to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Excellency President of the Russian Federation Dimitry A. Medvedev, Prime Minsiter Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, Ambassador Alexander V. Konuzin of the Russian Federation, and Father Vitali Tarjasev, head of Moscow Patriarchy in Belgrade.

In the personality of Patriarch Alexei II, the entire Orthodox world, all Christians and especially people of Serbia had a great and loyal friend, good shepherd and guiding light in their prayers.

May his eternal soul rest peacefully and may his memory exist through centuries.

During the official visit to Russia in January 2008 Crown Princess Katherine was honoured with an award for “outstanding activities on strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations”.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine met with His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia at the St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow, which is also the residence of His Holiness.

The official award ceremony organised by His Holiness the Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia and the Trustee Council of the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations (IFUOCN) took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine addressed upon receiving the award the distinguished audience that included the then President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and many other dignitaries. In her speech Crown Princess said that she is was very grateful and moved to accept this prestigious award for the year 2007. She reminded the audience that she and her husband, Crown Prince Alexander II have been working for years to help, assist, support and encourage the needy and the deprived.