ST. SAVA DAY ACTIVITIES OF THE ROYAL COUPLE

Belgrade, 27 January 2010 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine marked Saint Sava Day by attending a number of events dedicated to the father of Serbian spirituality and the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Prince Rastko Nemanjic - Saint Sava.

In the morning Their Royal Highnesses attended a Holy Liturgy which was officiated by His Grace Bishop of Hvostano Atanasije, His Grace Bishop of Eastern America Mitrofan and His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church in St. Sava Temple. Afterwards, the ceremony of cutting the Slava cake took place in the St. Sava Temple.

Since Saint Sava is the patron saint of all schools in Serbia, Their Royal Highnesses visited the Faculty of the Orthodox Theology, and attended the Solemn Academy. Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by His Grace Bishop of Backa Irinej, a Dean of the Faculty of the Orthodox Theology, with His Grace Bishop Maksim of Western America and His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia. The celebration was also attended by Mr. Muhamed ef. Jusufspahic, Mufti of Belgrade, H.E. Monsignor Orlando Antonini, the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan and Archbishop of Belgrade and many others.

Then Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine was much honoured to attend the Slava (patron saint day) of the Primary School Dusan Dugalic, the first specialized school for mentally challenged children in our country. The Royal Couple delivered sweets to the children, a donation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation.

Afterwards, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine visited the Saint Sava hospital in Belgrade where they attended celebration of their Slava Day.

In the evening, Their Royal Highnesses will attend, along with many other dignitaries, the traditional Saint Sava Function at the Sava Centre.