The Royal family of Serbia, led by HRH Crown Prince Alexander, solemnly celebrated today the Patron Saint Day of the Karadjordjevic Family – Saint Andrew the First-Called, in the Royal Palace in Belgrade, following centuries-old Serbian tradition.
Together with the Crown Prince, TRH Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Philip, Princess Danica, Prince Stefan, Princess Marija, Prince Alexander, Princess Vesna, Prince Mihailo, Princess Ljubica, Princess Natalija, and Princes Isidora gathered in the home of the Royal family, to join their prayers to the heavenly protector of the Karadjordjevics.
His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia officiated the Holy Liturgy at the Royal Chapel dedicated to Saint Andrew, with the assistance of Very Reverend Archimandrite Gerasim of Hilandar, and Belgrade Archdiocese priests. HRH Prince Stefan said the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father” as part of the divine service. Following the Liturgy, the solemn act of cutting the Slava cake, a traditional bread prepared for the Patron Saint Day, at the Royal Palace’s Blue Salon was also officiated by His Holiness together with the Metropolitans and Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
HRH Crown Prince Alexander thanked His Holiness and all the esteemed guests in his speech and also pointed out: “As a people of faith, we celebrate many sacred days, yet few express our national identity as profoundly as this holy and solemn occasion. The Patron Saint Day has long stood as one of the most cherished and sacred traditions of the Serbian people. It is the thread that has carried us through the centuries, sustaining us in times of hardships. It forms an inseparable part of our essence — our link to the generations before us, and a guardian of what lies ahead.
In difficult moments, we join our hands in prayer, seeking our Heavenly Protector’s guidance and comfort. In moments of joy, we offer gratitude for the blessings granted to us. And at all times, we ask our Saint to be with us, reminding us to remain humble before our Creator. The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the Patron Saint of my family, and to him we direct our prayers, asking that he bestow his blessing upon our home, our people, and all people throughout the world. We will withstand every trial and remain faithful to both our ancestors and our descendants, if we stand united, both as a nation and as children of God.”
The church ceremony and a lunch at the Palace were also attended by Their Eminences Metropolitans Jovan of Sumadija, Ignjatije of Branicevo, and Joanikie of Litoral and Montenegro, and Their Graces Bishops Isihije of Valjevo and Jerotej of Sabac. Present were also His Eminence Cardinal Dr Ladislav Nemet, Metropolitan and Archbishop of Belgrade, Honorable Efendi Mustafa Jusufspahic, Belgrade’s mufti and military imam, Rev. Robin Fox, the Chaplain of the Anglican Church of St. Mary in Belgrade, His Grace Archbishop of Zadar, Mr Zelimir Puljic, members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, Princess Danica’s parents Beba and Milan Cile Marinkovic, and other friends of the Royal Family were present at the celebration of the Royal Patron Saint Day.
In the traditional sermon held after the cutting of the Slava bread, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said: “May the Lord grant understanding and unity within your home, because it will be an example for all of us to look upon, but also an obligation that you impose on all of us. Because having a Royal Family is a luxury, and many nations do not have a Royal Family, and especially do not have one from their own people. So some invent Royal Lineaes in their nations, and some would pay who knows how much treasure and wealth to somehow create one. Today we have gathered to celebrate your Patron Saint Day with you, to rejoice with you and pray to God, that God may grant unity, understanding and harmony to our people.”
“On the day of the Patron Saint of our home, Saint Andrew the First-Called, we gather around a vow that does not belong to just one family, but to the memory of a people. Saint Andrew, the first among those who were called, is a testimony to a faith that is not proven by words, but by silent and constant service.
For our home, the Patron Saint Day is not just a family custom, but a vow to accept responsibility before privilege, and duty before power. This vow, founded on faith and patience, has accompanied our history in times of trial and obliges us today. Saint Andrew teaches us that the right path does not begin with noise, but with the willingness to serve others and to remain upright when it is most difficult. On such foundations can be built the harmony, trust, and durability of a state.
May today’s holiday be a reminder that tradition is not preserved in words, but in deeds, and that serving others is the highest expression of belonging and faith”, stated HRH Hereditary Prince Filip on the occasion of the Patron Saint Day of the Royal family.
