The centenary of the death of King Peter I of Serbia has been marked with the highest state and military honours at his grave in the Serbian city of Oplenac. Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Kathrine of Serbia attended the event.
The memorial ceremony began with a service in the Church of St. George, which was officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia along with the Bishop of Sumadija, the Bishop of Nis, the Bishop of Branicevo and former Orthodox Bishop of Canada, Mr. Georgije, after which wreaths were laid on the tomb of King Peter I. The commemorations for the centenary were completed with an exhibition of the King’s relics and flags in “Peter’s house”.
Beside members of the Royal Family, the memorial was attended by representatives of the government of the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian Armed Forces, dignitaries of the Serbian Orthodox Church and religious communities in Serbia, the diplomatic corps, members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Crown advisory bodies, Kingdom of Serbia, and thousands of citizens who paid tribute to one of the most important rulers in Serbian history.
After the Liturgy, Crown Prince Alexander and Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, Darija Tepavčević, addressed the congregation. Crown Prince Alexander thanked everyone for their support to ensuring the memory of King Peter I continues to live in the heart of Serbian people.
His Royal Highness said in his speech: “My great-grandfather, King Peter I is not only the King Liberator, who endowed us, as the supreme commander of the heroic liberation army, with great victories in Balkan wars and First World War. He is not just the first constitutional ruler, who is remembered as a European liberal, with a democratic view of the world. He is the most beloved Serbian King. People respected and loved him because he had understanding and love for them. He was loyal to his country, his roots, heritage and, above all, to his people. He is not just a memory on a part of our glorious past. He is our inspiration for a better future”.
King Peter I Karadjordjevic was born on July 11, 1844 in Belgrade. He was the last king of Serbia from 1903 to 1918 and the first King of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes from 1918 to 1921. Due to his work in the Balkan wars and the First World War, the National Assembly of Kingdom of Serbia unanimously adopted a resolution to add the nickname “Liberator” to the title of King Peter I. He died on August 16, 1921 in Belgrade, and was buried in Oplenac.
