THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES AT CELEBRATION OF PATRON’S SAINT DAY OF THE CITY OF BELGRADE

Belgrade, 13 June 2002. – Today, on the day of Ascension of the Lord, Patron’s Saint Day of the City of Belgrade, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Crown Princess Katherine attended the liturgy at Vaznesenjska Church and the traditional religious procession.

The celebration started with the Holy Liturgy served by Their Graces Bishop of Hvostan Atanasije Rakita and the newly elected Bishop of Šumadija Jovan in Vaznesenjska Church, followed by the bells of all Belgrade churches that announced beginning of the procession.

The hosts of the Patron’s Saint Day were the Mayor of Belgrade Mrs. Radmila Hrustanović and Vice-president of the City Government Mr. Ljubomir Anđelković. Celebration was attended by members of the City Government, around hundred priests, members of Yugoslav Army and numerous citizens.

The procession with several thousands citizens of Belgrade went though the main city streets and ended with a prayer to all fallen soldiers of Belgrade at the churchyard of Saint Sava Temple.

Several thousand citizens joined in the procession through Belgrade, throwing corn and greeting those present.

-ENDS-

Additional information: Ascension of the Lord was elected for Patron’s Saint Day of the City of Belgrade by Despot Stefan Lazarević in 1403, when Belgrade became the capital of Serbia. The coat of arms and flag of the city of Belgrade were established then.

Since that period, with pauses during the wars, the people of Belgrade celebrated their Patron’s Saint Day. In 1947 religious the procession was interrupted and celebration of Patron’s Saint Day was stopped by the former government.

Celebration of Ascension of the Lord as a Patron’s Saint Day of the City of Belgrade was renewed in 1992 and religious processions through Belgrade started again in 1993.