Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended an orthodox Christmas service which was officiated by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and the Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The royal Christmas service was held in the crypt of St. Sava Temple. This happened one day after Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia celebrated this year’s Orthodox Christmas at the Royal Palace in Dedinje.
Crown Prince Alexander also issued a statement on the occasion. He said: “On the occasion of celebrating the birth of Christ, I send congratulations to all citizens of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, wishing them to spend Christmas in peace and love, surrounded by goodwill. This year, too, we welcome Christmas with faith, hope and love. My family and I wish you to spend this great holiday in peace and joy. Peace of Earth, Christ is born!“
After attending the Christmas service, Crown Princess Katherine visited the Children and Youth Centre “Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj.” She served Christmas lunch for the children together with Kati Csaba, Ambassador of Canada in Serbia.
In Serbia, the main church is the Orthodox Church, and they still use the old ‘Julian’ Calendar, which means that Christmas Eve is on 6 January and Christmas Day on 7 January. Advent in the Orthodox Church starts on 28th November and lasts for six weeks, not four.
