THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

CROWN PRINCE AWARDED MEDAL OF ST. DUKE LAZAR BY BISHOP ARTEMIJE

Belgrade, 14 January 2010 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited Kosovo today to mark Serbian Orthodox New Years’ Day. As a part of their visit they attended the Holy Liturgy served by His Grace Bishop of Ras and Prizren Artemije. The Royal Couple then delivered humanitarian aid to the citizens of Kosovo and Metohija. The aid consisted of 3 tons of food (flour, sugar, and pasta), toys and shoes.

After the liturgy His Grace Bishop Artemije awarded HRH Crown Prince Alexander II with the medal of St. Duke Lazar for great humanitarian endeavours for the people of Kosovo and Metohija, and emphasized: “It was not for the first time that Their Royal Highnesses come to Kosovo and Metohija, to bring humanitarian aid to our people here. Therefore, it is my pleasure to present the medal of St. Duke Lazar to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander for his humanitarian work, on this important day”.

The Holy Liturgy at the Gracanica Monastery, the legacy of Serbian medieval King Milutin, was attended by many Serbian citizens from Kosovo who came to participate in marking this special day.

Greeting the dignitaries and the people, Crown Prince Alexander emphasized: “My wife and I are here today because we want you to know how much we care about safety and prosperity of our people in Kosovo and Metohija. We know how beautiful and fertile this land – Kosovo and Metohija is. There is room for all of you that still live here, for all the people that were exiled and they should return to their homes, for different nations, cultures and traditions.”

Crown Princess Katherine in her speech said: “I am very happy that my husband Crown Prince Alexander and I are here today with you at Gracanica Monastery and that we could wish you a very Happy New Year. We wanted to assure you that you have friends and people who care for you, so we brought this humanitarian aid. Last year was very difficult, but I want you to know that you can always count on our help and support.” Crown Princess Katherine concluded her speech by wishing everyone the very best in every aspect, health, peace, and prosperity.

Their Royal Highnesses distributed humanitarian aid to over 100 children from Primary School “King Milutin” and Home for children with developmental problems from Gracanica, who were present at the Monastery.