His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander attended today at the Temple of Saint Sava the marking of the 400 years since the accession of the Romanov Dynasty to the Russian throne, on the day of martyrdom and glorification of the Holy Emperor Nicholas II Romanov and his family and fellow-sufferers in martyrdom. After the Holy Liturgy officiated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, and Their Graces Bishops Lavrentije of Sabac, Pahomije of Vranje, David of Krusevac,  Teodosije of Ras and Prizren, Mikanor of Banat, Vicar Bishop Jeronim of Jegar and Vicar Bishop Arsenije of Toplica, Crown Prince Alexander attended the opening of the exhibition “Four centuries of the House of Romanov – awakening memories”, which was opened by the President of Serbia, HE Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, in the crypt of St. Sava Temple. Opening was also attended by advisors to President of Serbia Prof. Dr Oliver Antic, Mr Ivan Mrkic and Mrs Jasmina Mitrovic – Maric.

The Serbian people and Russia were connected by many ties during the Romanovs reign, especially during the wars of liberation and independence, or the Great War, when Emperor Nicholas II stood up for Serbia at a time when she was threatened by destruction.

“This day and this exhibition are dedicated to the memory of the Romanov dynasty, especially Emperor Nicholas, to whom we owe eternal gratitude for the immeasurable help to Serbia in the First World War. Serbia will never forget his generosity, as well as the tragic fate of him and his family” – emphasized Crown Prince Alexander in his statement.

In addition to President Nikolic, Mr. Dragomir Acovic, a member of the Crown Prince Alexander’s Privy Council, also spoke at the opening of the exhibition “Four centuries of the House of Romanov – awakening memories”.

It is a curiosity that today’s date is tied by three important historical events: the tragedy of the Russian Imperial Romanov dynasty, the execution of the leader of the Chetnik resistance General Dragoljub Draza Mihailovic and finally, the birth of the heir to the Karadjordjevic Crown, a descendant of the father of the nation, the great Karadjordje, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic.

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