BELGRADE, 18 February 2008 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended this afternoon at St. Sava Temple a public prayer for the salvation of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.
On behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the public prayer was led by His Eminence Archbishop Amfilohije of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral, with the Vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch, His Grace Bishop of Hvostno Atanasije, priests and deacons from Belgrade churches. The performance of the Mokranjac Choir, in the presence of thousands of citizens who came to pray for the well-being for Kosovo’s Serbs and for Kosovo and Metohija, the heart and soul of Serbia, to remain in Serbia.
Many bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church were present at the public prayer, as well as various officials: HE Mr. Slobodan Samardzic, Minister for Kosovo and Metohija, HE Mr. Radomir Naumov, Minister of Religion, HE Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro, Apostolic Nuncio, and others.
After the Holy Liturgy and the Holy Oration, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander addressed the present.
In his speech, the Crown Prince emphasized:
"We are here today in the great Saint Sava Temple. In disbelief and horror. United in pain at a time of great tragedy for our people. I am deeply hurt and shocked. What has happened is a big injustice. What was thrust on our Serbian people is very painful and illegal.
"My wife and I visited Kosovo on Saturday. It was very emotional and sad seeing our dear people. His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren led the prayers in Saint Dimitri Church in Kosovska Mitrovica.
"I stand, as Karadjordjevic, with all my heart by our people in Kosovo and by our Serbian Orthodox Church.
"It is very important that we remain united. Our actions must be peaceful, dignified, diplomatic and legal. We all pray to dear God for negations to continue and that a solution and compromise will be found. Therefore I appeal again for unity and responsibility of all our authorities. Violence or destruction of property will only damage our efforts. Therefore there must not be any violence - this is not Christian, it is not courageous, it is not in our tradition.
"May the Good Lord answer our prayers for the wellbeing of the Serbian people and all others!
"May Almighty God give our Serbia and our people strength and wisdom!”
Source: The Public Relations Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II
