STATEMENTS

THE CHANCELLERY OF
H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II
OF YUGOSLAVIA

H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEKSANDAR II WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II, Princess Katarina, Princes Filip and Aleksandar, Prince Vladimir with his wife Princess Brigitte and Princess Lavinia with her husband Mr. Austin Prichard and children Nadia, Andreja and Luka last night for the first time after 60 years the Royal Family burnt a Yule log and celebrated Christmas Eve at the Royal Palace.

With permission of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, Father Dimša Perić from the Church of Saint Archangel Gabriel in Belgrade consecrated the Yule log.

In front of numerous journalists H.R.H. Crown Prince Aleksandar II brought a Yule log into the Palace.

By custom, entering the Palace Crown Prince said “The Christ is born!” and Princess Katarina spread the corn. Afterwards, the whole Royal Family Karađorđević had a fasting dinner.

At midnight, H.R.H. Crown Prince Aleksandar II and the Royal Family attended the Midnight liturgy served by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle at Saint Sava Church at Vračar.

Today, on a Christmas Day, ten year old Damjan Stojkov accompanied by his father, archeologist Dejan Stojkov came as “položenik” and started a Christmas fire.

Father Vladan Perišić accompanied by the choir from the Church of Saint Archangel Gabriel served Christmas liturgy at the Royal Chapel dedicated to Saint Apostle Andrew the First called.

Crown Prince Aleksandar II, the Royal Family and members of the Crown Council Prof. Arch. Branko Pešić and Arch. Dragomir Acović attended the Holy Liturgy.

Belgrade, January 7, 2002