On Friday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia hosted the traditional lunch at the White Palace in honour of the annual Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The lunch was attended by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije with Metropolitan and Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as members of the advisory bodies of the Serbian Crown.
In his welcome speech the Serbian Crown Prince said: “We are gathered at the White Palace during the Holy Assembly of Bishops. We cherish this traditional event because it is an example of unity and cooperation for the common good. The church and the crown are the two institutions in our country that bring stability. Thank you for the support you provide our people and my family. In this year of temptation, we have lost great spiritual shepherds, who left an indelible mark with their lives and deeds, following Christ”.
The Crown Prince continued: “I believe that our Church, led by Patriarch Porfirije, will continue to guide the Serbian people on the path of unity and harmony. As the Lord said to his apostles: You are the salt of the Earth! May the Lord bless your efforts and your prayers”.
His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije thanked the Crown Prince for his hospitality and offered his best wishes to the Royal Family. The majority of the population in Serbia, Montenegro, and the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are members of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is organised into metropolitanates and eparchies, located primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia.
In mid-march, Crown Prince Alexander held an audience for the new patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Following the audience in the Royal Palace His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije consecrated the restored Holy Cross that adorns the dome of the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called patron saint of the Karadjordjevic family. After the consecration of the Holy Cross, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine had a long conversation with the Patriarch on a number of current topics and issues of interest to the Serbian nation and the Church.
