STATEMENTS

THE CHANCELLERY OF
H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER
OF YUGOSLAVIA

H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEKSANDAR AND PRINCESS KATARINA AT THE CONGRESS OF ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katarina attended today official opening of the Fifth International Congress of High Orthodox Theological Schools which is held from September 26^th to October 1^st in Belgrade.

The Host and the organizer of the Congress under the heading “Unity, mission and theology of the Church in the third millennium” is Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. Academies from 18 world countries and 40 representatives from 22 faculties, among them several bishops participate in the Congress activities.

Before the Congress opening, His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Pavle served the holly liturgy at the chapel of the Theological Faculty.

Crown Prince Aleksandar and his wife were welcomed by the Archpriest Prof. Dr. Radovan Bigović, Dean of Theological Faculty and by the officials of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Roman catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan of Belgrade Dr. Franc Hočevar, Mufti of Belgrade Dr. Hadži-Hamdija Jusufpsahić, the Prime minister of Serbia Dr. Zoran Đinđić, Federal minister for national and ethnic minorities Dr. Rasim Ljajić, Federal secretary for religious affairs Dr. Bogoljub Šiljaković, Republic minister of religion Dr. Vojislav Milovanović, Republic minister for education and sports Dr. Gašo Knežević, Republic minister of culture Branislav Lečić, representatives of diplomatic choir and other members of Karađorđević family also attended the opening.

At the Congress opening, Prof. Dr. Bigović emphasized the importance of this event for the Orthodox church and our country and expressed his gratitude to all those who attended this event. His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Pavle, President of Serbian Government Dr. Zoran Đinđić and His Beatitude Archbishop of Tirana and All of Albania Anastasios addressed present guests afterwards.

Following the Congress opening, the cocktail was organized for its participants and respected guests.

At the Congress opening, Crown Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katarina were accompanied by the member of the Crown Council, Mr. Dragoljub Acović.

Belgrade, September 27, 2001