LUNCH IN HONOR OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST SERBIAN UPRISING BICENTENNIAL

Belgrade, 9 May 2004 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted a lunch today in honor of the central Church celebration of the First Serbian Uprising Bicentennial.

The guests were the representatives of the sister Orthodox Churches, participants of this year’s regular Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, led by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, representatives of the Government, other religions and diplomatic corps.

At he beginning the Crown Prince welcomed the distinguished guests expressing his joy for the Lord made worthy The Palace and Their Royal Highnesses of hosting the very top of the Ecumenical Orthodox Church and representatives of other religions.

“I am sorry for my father did not live to see this day. He had laid the foundation-stone for the Temple of Saint Sava. I am happy that my wife and i have contributed to the completion of the temple. The main door was our humble donation.

Two hundred years ago my ancestor Karadjordje and his uprisers said they would not stop until they liberate their nation and their country. Thus the Serbian state and freedom for the Serbian people resurrected. And for two centuries now, we have been trying to be worthy of their struggle and their sacrifice.

We seek peace and justice, to be what we are, friends to friends, neighbours to neighbours, defense and consolation to those who need help. We demand human rights, democracy and better life for us and for all citizens of the world.

To all of you, the Arch Hierarchs of Christ’s Church who have by your presence brought the rays of heavenly light to us, i send the warmest welcome.

I recommend to your blessings our people, those who govern it, those who defend it, everybody present here and my home.”

On behalf of the guests, the hosts were addressed by His Eminence Kyr Dionysios, Metropolitan of Leondoplois. Greeting Their Royal Highnesses and his brothers in Christ, he expressed great pleasure and gratitude to God for being in Serbia today, at the home of the Karadjordjevics.

“We are at the table of love, around which we are united by the great love of TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine. I thank His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, and pray to God to grant him good health for many years, wishing him to continue his honourable Arch Hierarch duty.”

The Metropolitan of Leondoplois Kyr Dionysios greeted with great joy the representatives of other religions and the Ambassadors who, in his words, are “a true mosaic of various cultures”.

This great event was enhanced by the performances of “Belcanto” choir conducted by Miss Nada Vukovic, and the Academic Choir “Collegium Musicum” conducted by Mrs. Darinka Matic-Marovic.

After the lunch, the distinguished guests took a tour of The Royal Palace and The Royal Church dedicated to Saint Andrew the First Called.