CELEBRATION OF PATRON SAINT DAY OF THE ROYAL FAMILY
SAINT ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED

Belgrade, 13 December 2008 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine celebrated today The Royal Family’s Patron Saint Day – Saint Andrew the First Called in their home in Belgrade with the presence of HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HRH Prince Nikolas (son of HRH Prince Tomislav), HRH Prince Vladimir (son of HRH Prince Andrej) and his wife HRH Princess Brigitte, HRH Princess Lavinia (daughter if HRH Prince Andrej), her husband Mr. Austin Prichard and their son Lucas, and Their Highnesses Prince Carl Emich and Princess Isabelle of Leiningen.

In the morning, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of Serbia, the Divine Liturgy was served in The Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First Called by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral, His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno and His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija 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 Their Graces: Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Bishop Artemije of Ras and Prizren, Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, Bishop Teodosije of Lipljane, Bishop Atanasije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, Bishop Hrisostom Zicki , Bishop Justin of Timok, Bishop Lukijan of Osijek and Baranja, Bishop Mikanor of Banat, Bishop Ladislav Nemet of Zrenjanin, representatives of religious communities, Vicar of Belgrade Bishopric Leopold Rohmes, Mufti of Serbia and Imam of Belgrade Muhamed F. Jusuf Spasic, Imam of Nis Mustafa F. Jusuf Spasic and Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Father Vitaly Tarasijev. As well as members of The Privy Council, Mr. Dragomir Acovic and Mr. Dusan Babac, members of The Crown Council, Mr. Matija Beckovic, Mr. Miroslav Gasic, Mr, Predrag Markovic, Mr. Predrag Palavestra, Mr. Milan Parivodic, Mr. Milorad Pavic, Mrs. Svetlana Velmar-Jankovic and Dragomir Vitorovic and members of the Crown Cabinet Mr. Kosta Cavoski, Mr. Djordje Djurisic, Mr. Vladimir Gajic, Mr. Dragoslav Micic, Mr. Milorad Savicevic, Mr. Zoran Trifunovic, Mr. Vladan Vukosavljevic and Mr. Vladan Zivulovic.

During the Slava lunch after the ceremony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander addressed the distinguished guests and friends emphasizing:

“In my name and on behalf of my wife, my sons Peter, Philip and Alexander, as well as all present and absent members of the Karadjordjevic Family, I wish to thank Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and you all for giving us the great pleasure by attending this wonderful ceremony of glorifying the saint’s day of our home – St. Andrew the First Called.”

Two Slava receptions will take place at The White Palace in the afternoon and evening. On that occasion, Their Royal Highnesses will welcome: representatives of the Government, Diplomatic Corps, members of the Privy Council, Crown Council, Crown Cabinet, as well as city and town Mayors, academics as well as representatives of the Gendarmerie, Army, monarchy clubs, international organizations, Rotary Clubs, cultural institutions, sports associations, the media, health institutions, and numerous distinguished persons from the cultural, political, business, academic and public life of Serbia.