CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER AT CEREMONY TO MARK STATEHOOD DAY AND 207th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SERBIAN UPRISING

Belgrade, 15 February 2011 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II accompanied by members of the Crown Council and Crown Cabinet attended today the ceremony marking the Serbian Statehood Day, which also marks the 207th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising in Orasac. The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Prof. Dr. Bogoljub SIjakovic, Minister of Religion.

The ceremony started with a Holy Liturgy served by His Grace Bishop of Sumadija Jovan and the clergy of the Sumadija Diocese.

Following the Liturgy, a memorial service was held in Maricevica Gully after which HRH Crown Prince Alexander, Prof. Bogoljub Sijakovic, Minister of Religion and the President of Arandjelovac Municipality laid laurel wreaths on the monument of Karadjordje.

In his speech the Crown Prince emphasized: “On this holy day, at one of the holiest places of Serbian freedom, I greet you as a host and Karadjordje’s descendent. Orasac and Oplenac are the symbol of the modern Serbian state and freedom. Earlier in the recent past there were moments when that truth was concealed and another one invented. The untruth travels fast, but the truth is constant and long lasting. The Serbian people have entered into foundations of European civilisation not only its heroes, saints and martyrs but also its art, science, ideas and ideals of its best sons. Europe had already bowed to Serbian culture once. It is up to us if she will continue to do so in future!“.

After the ceremony in Orasac, the Crown Prince and members of the Crown Council attended a memorial service officiated by His Grace Bishop of Sumadija Jovan in the Church of Saint George at Oplenac. After the ceremony laurel wreaths were placed on the tomb of the Supreme Leader Karadjordje by HRH Crown Prince Alexander, members of the Crown Council and Mr. Dragan Jovanovic, President of Topola Municipality.