Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine and Prince Philip celebrated today The Royal Family’s Patron Saint Day – Saint Andrew the First Called in the Royal Palace in Belgrade.
In the morning, the Divine Liturgy was served at the Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First Called by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija with the clergy of the Belgrade-Karlovci Metropolitanate, in the presence of Their Graces Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, Bishop Ignjatije of Branicevo, Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, and Bishop Porfirije of Jegar.
The ceremony of the cutting of Slava cake followed in the Blue Room of The Royal Palace, and was officiated by His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac.
The Holy Liturgy and Slava lunch was also attended by HRH Princess Eleonore of Yugoslavia, the wife of HRH Prince Serge, members of the Privy Council, Hon. Branko Terzic, Mr. Dragomir Acovic and Mr. Dusan Babac, members of the Crown Council Mr. Matija Beckovic, Mr. Dusan Kovacevic, Prof. Dr. Miroslav Gasic, Prof. Dr Dragoljub Kavran, Prof. Dr. Predrag Palavestra, members of the Crown Cabinet, Mr. Vladan Zivulovic, Mr. Djordje Djurisic, Dr. Cedomir Antic, Mr. Dragoslav Micic, Mr. Milorad Savicevic, Mr. Djurjde Ninkovic, other distinguished guests Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, councelor to President of Serbia, Mr. Miroslav Tasic, state secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Information, Mr. Mileta Radojevic, director of Government office for cooperation with churches and religious organizations, leaders and representatives of other churches, H.E. Archbishop Orlando Antonini, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, Mr. Isaac Asiel, Great Rabbi of Serbia, His Grace Dr. Ladislav Nemet, Bishop of Zrenjanin, His Grace Janos Penzes, Bishop of Subotica, Rvrd. Leopold Rohmes, Archimandrite Metodije of Monastery Hilandar, H.E. Mr. Nabhan Mohammed, Ambassador of Palestine and Dean of diplomatic corps, members of the Legal team of the Crown, Mr. Darko Spasic and Mr. Nebojsa Bogdanovic and many other.
During the Slava lunch after the ceremony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander addressed the distinguished guests and friends emphasizing: “I am very pleased that we have gathered today in the Royal Palace, to celebrate St. Andrew the First Called. “Krsna Slava” is festivity of each home, spiritual flame that we gather around, and I want to express my gratitude to all who came here today. As Saint Andrew the First Called has suffered many harms, but stayed firm in his faith, so I call of us to stay committed to our faith and our efforts for the good of our country and our people”.
At the reception at 7 pm, there were present Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, Prof Oliver Antic, special advisory to the President of Serbia, Ms Lucy Attwood, friend of Prince Philip, H.E. Mr. Bratislav Petkovic, Minister of culture and information, H.E. Mr. Emil Vlajki, Vice President of Republika Srpska, H.E. Mr. Abdelkader Mesdoua, Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Dr. Helena Studdert, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mrs. Mercedes Ruiz Zapata, Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Mr. Michael Kirby, Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E. Mr. Roman Waschuk, Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Mr. Demosthenes Stoidis, Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Mr. Alexandre Addor Neto, Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Pekka Orpana, Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Mr. Igor Jovovic, Ambassador of Montenegro, H.E Mr. Zeljko Kupresak, Ambassador of Croatia, A H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Ghulam Farid Farrukh, Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Zaw Tun, Ambassador of Myanmar, as well as members of the Privy Council, Crown Council, Crown Cabinet, as well city and town Mayors, academics, representatives of the Armed Forces, Police, Monarchist Clubs, International Organizations, Rotary Clubs, cultural institutions, sports associations, the media, health institutions, and numerous distinguished persons from the cultural, political, business, academic and public life of Serbia.
