Belgrade, 13 December 2024 – The Patron Saint Day of the Royal Family of Serbia - Saint Andrew the First-Called, was celebrated today in the Royal Palace in Belgrade, following centuries-old Serbian tradition. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia officiated the Holy Liturgy at the Royal Chapel which is dedicated to the Heavenly Protector of the Karadjordjevic family. HRH Hereditary Prince Philp was the host of this year’s celebration, as TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine could not be in Serbia today due to urgent and important obligations abroad.
TRH Princess Danica, Prince Stefan, Princess Marija, Prince Alexander, as well as Honorable Efendi Mustafa Jusufspahic, Belgrade's mufti and military imam, Mr. Isak Asiel, Rabbi of Serbia, Princess Danica’s parents Beba and Milan Cile Marinkovic together with the Hereditary Prince gathered in the Royal Palace on this occasion. After the church service, the solemn act of cutting the Slava cake, a traditional bread prepared for the Patron Saint Day, was also officiated by His Holiness, with the assistance of Their Graces Bishops Aleksej of Hvostan and Nikon of Jenopolje, vicars of the Patriarch, and Belgrade Archdiocese priests. Prince Stefan said the Lord's Prayer "Our Father" as part of the service. His Eminence Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, as also one of the highest dignitaries of religious communities in Serbia, could not attend the solemnity due to earlier arranged obligations.
“Patron Saint Day has always been one of the most important and holy traditions of the Serbian people, which kept us through the centuries. The candle that we light on the Day of our Holy Protector has always given us strength and enlightened our path, even in the most difficult times. It was lit in the times when our people were enslaved, and in the war trenches. Its light has always shown us the way, enlightening the footsteps of our ancestors that we should follow, and has given us courage and comfort.
Although due to obligations abroad, I am not in our family home, it is important that the tradition is kept, and that my son has lit the candle in front of our family’s icon. Although this year we did not host our traditional reception, it is important that once again the highest officials of various religions have gathered in our home, continuing another important legacy of Karadjordjevics. I am very grateful to His Holiness the Patriarch for officiating the Holy Liturgy and cutting our Slava cake. I pray to Saint Andrew, the First Apostle of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the well-being and progress of our homeland, our people, and our family”, stated HRH Crown Prince Alexander.
“Our Patron Saint Day has never been as complete as it is here, in our homeland,” Hereditary Prince Philip said on this occasion, emphasizing that in exile they tried to preserve their heritage and customs, but the void could not be filled. Recalling the history and the strength that the family drew from faith, Prince Philip emphasized the importance of Saint Andrew in the most difficult moments:
“Just as he led our ancestor Karadjordje and his soldiers to the liberation of Belgrade, he brought us to our home. Today, in the spirit of tradition and ancestors, the Karadjordjević family celebrates in the home of their ancestors, surrounded by love and joy. We are happy and grateful that the Karadjordjevićs are again being born and living in their homeland, gathering in front of the ancestral icon and sharing a meal in the glory of God and the honor of Saint Andrew," said Prince Philip.
In the traditional sermon held after the Liturgy, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said that we should all strive to harmonize our lives with the Lord and to do what is in our power, to pray for peace among us, peace in our country, and everywhere in the world, for understanding, because we all need it so much. "May today's Patron Saint Day be true glory. We are sorry that your father, Crown Prince Alexander, is not here today, but I am sure that he is here with us through prayer with his soul and his whole being, and that he rejoices that the Patron Saint Day in this temple, in this home, is maintained. And that after it was restored, with God’s blessing it will last and be celebrated here, in His love and His providence, as long as the Serbian people exist."
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| all photos courtesy of HRH Crown Prince Alexander |
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