H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEKSANDAR II  BECOMES A GODFATHER  TO CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE IN ALEKSINAC

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina visited today city of Aleksinac, responding to the invitation of the Municipality officials and Mrs. Jovanka Marković, the director of the Center for children without parental care “Hristina Markišić”, where Crown Prince was a godfather at the christening of thirty children from this center.

Their Royal Highnesses were enthusiastically greeted by a few thousand citizens and pupils of the schools of Aleksinac.

Upon their arrival, Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina first visited the Center for children without parental care “Hristina Markišić”.

Addressing those present, Crown Prince Aleksandar II said:

“ The greatest honor given to someone is to be invited to be a godfather. The day of christening is a special joy for the ones receiving the holly spirit but is also a special pride for the one who, as the godfather is becoming a spiritual father.”

Right after, at Saint Nicolas Church, Revered Bishop of Niš Irinej christened the thirty children in the presence of their godfather, Prince Aleksandar II at helm.

Upon the ceremony of christening, H.R.H. Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina visited Municipality of Aleksinac where they talked to Municipality president Mr. Radoslav Pavković and his officials about current economic situation and condition in public healthcare in this municipality. 

Accompanied by their hosts, Their Royal Highnesses went afterwards to the monument to innocent victims of NATO bombing, where Crown Prince laid a wreath.

Upon their return to the Center “Hristina Markišić”, the protégé children performed the program and Director Marković expressed her gratitude to Their Royal Highnesses emphasizing that having a Crown Prince for a godfather represented great honor and joy for the children from the Center and the citizens of Aleksinac. Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina handed each christened child a golden small chain with cross,  and to all the children bicycles, toys and candies.

On their return to Belgrade, together with Bishop Irinej Their Royal Highnesses visited the Church of St. Archangel in Deligrad, legacy of  King Aleksandar I, where they were warmly welcomed by several hundreds of people.

Belgrade, February 21, 2002