HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ATTENDS BELGRADE “SPASOVDAN” PROCESSION

Belgrade, 28 May 2009 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II together with Mr. Dragomir Acovic, President of the Privy Council attended today, on the Holy Ascension of Our Lord Day – Spasovdan, the Patron Saint Day of Belgrade, a Liturgy in the Church of the Ascension, and the traditional Spasovdan Procession through Belgrade.

The Holy Liturgy in the Church of Ascension was served by His Grace Bishop of New Zealand and Australia Irinej and His Grace Bishop of Hvostano Atanasije. Besides His Highness, the ceremonial marking of Spasovdan was also attended by Mr. Dragan Djilas, Mayor of Belgrade, Mr. Aleksandar Antic, President of Belgrade’s City Assembly, Mr. Zoran Alimpic, Deputy President of City Assembly and Mr. Mileta Radojevic, member of City Assembly and numerous citizens.

The procession through Belgrade started at the Church of Ascension in Gepratova Street, then to Kneza Milosa Street, Kralja Milana Street, followed by the first prayer at the Terazije Fountain. The procession then continued to the Knez Mihailova Street, then Kralja Petra Street, to the Main Orthodox Cathedral, where the second prayer was held. After that, the procession went to Kneza Sime Markovica Street, and ended in the port of the Church of Ascension where a church service was held in memory of the victims of the bombing of Belgrade of 6 April 1941.

In the afternoon, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II together with Mr. Dusan Babac, member of the Privy Council will attend a reception at the City Assembly, which will be hosted by the Mayor of Belgrade, Mr. Dragan Djilas.