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

Belgrade, 13 December 2010 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, Sir Desmond De Silva and Mr Austin Pritchard celebrated today The Royal Family’s Patron Saint Day – Saint Andrew the First Called in the Royal Palace in Belgrade.

In the morning, the Divine Liturgy was served in The Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First Called by His Holiness the Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija accompanied by the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The ceremony of the cutting of Slava cake followed in the Blue Room of The Royal Palace.

Besides The Royal Family the Slava ceremony was attended by His Holiness the Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, Their Graces: Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, Bishop Ignjatije of Branicevo, Vicar Bishop Atanasije of Hvostano, Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Bishop Pahomije of Vranje, religious leaders of other religious communities in Serbia –Mr. Mehmedalija ef. Veli and Mr. Asciric, secretary of Islamic community of Serbia, H.E. Monsignor Orlando Antonini, the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan and Archbishop of Belgrade, Reverend Leopold Rohmes, the Vicar of Belgrade Bishopric, His Grace Mr. Djuro Gasparovic, Bishop of Srem, His Grace Mr. Janos Penzes, Bishop of Subotica.

The Holy Liturgy and Slava lunch was also attended by members of the Privy Council, Mr. Dragomir Acovic, Mr. Branko Terzic and Mr. Dusan Babac, members of the Crown Council, Mr. Matija Beckovic, Prof. Dr. Miroslav Gasic, Prof. Dr Dragoljub Kavran, Mr. Dusan Kovacevic, Prof. Dr Predrag Palavestra, Mr. Predrag Markovic, Dr. Milan Parivodic, Mrs. Svetlana Velmar-Jankovic, and members of the Crown Cabinet, Dr. Cedomir Antic, Prof. Dr. Kosta Cavoski, Mr. Djordje Djurisic, Dr Igor Georgiev, Mr. Vladimir Gajic, Mr. Milorad Savicevic, 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: “These are difficult times full of challenges, but we must have faith and self-confidence, because we are obliged to be like that, as individuals and as a nation. The late Bishop Danilo Krstic said that family patron is just like the coat of arms of each family. We honour that coat of arms today and connect to our ancestors, and with all the people that hold the word of God in their minds and hearts. ”

Following the celebration of St. Patrons Day, St. Andrew the First Called, two Slava receptions will take place at The White Palace in the afternoon and evening. Their Royal Highnesses will welcome: representatives of the Government, Diplomatic Corps, members of the Privy Council, Crown Council, Crown Cabinet, as well city and town Mayors, academics, representatives of the Armed Forces, Gendarmerie, 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.