Dinner in Honour of the Annual Session of the Holy Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church

Belgrade, 18 November 2003 - HRH Crown Prince Alexander II hosted a dinner on the occasion of the regular annual session of the Holy Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at The White Palace last night.

The reception was attended by His Holiness Pavle the Patriarch of Serbia, Their Most Eminent Graces Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Metropolitan Jovan of Veles, their Graces Bishop Irinej of Nis, Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Bishop Mitrofan of Eastern America, Bishop Hrizostom of Zica, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Bishop Dositej of Britain and Scandinavia, Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren, Bishop Lukijan of Osijek and Polje, Bishop Konstantin of Central Europe, Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, Bishop Milutin of Australia and New Zealand Bishop Atanasije of Hvost, the Minister of Religion Prof. Dr. Vojislav Milovanovic, member of the Advisory bodies of the Crown Arch. Dragomir Acović and academician Matija Beckovic, Editor in Chief of Serbian Orthodox Church Press Service and the secretary of the Holy Synod Mr. Dusan Stokanovic and dean Nebojsa Topolic.

The most distinguihed guests were welcomed by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II:

“Today, as well as for the last half of a century, our Church has suffered great misfortunes. Our most important shrines in Kosovo, recognized by UNESCO as world’s cultural heritage, have been burnt down and destroyed. However, our Church still carries its burden of responsibility and duty, with courage and patience, preaching God’s law and love among people.

The Crown has always supported such message, advocating democracy, respecting everybody regardless of their ethnic and religious origin or political orientation, following the words of His Holiness who said “it takes so little for humans to be humane”.

We should arm ourselves with patience, for changes come slowly, but yet they come. In the times gone by, the present times and in the future, we should preserve our roots and our forefather’s faith.”