(27 Apr 2008)
1. Serbian Orthodox church (AUDIO: bells ringing)
2. Cross on top of church dome
3. People entering church
4. People inside crossing themselves and praying
5. Wide of congregation
6. Priest swinging incense
7. Close up of crucifix
8. Close up of priest
9. Various people praying
10. Mid of congregation
11. Top shot of congregation
12. Box of decorated Easter eggs
13. Various of priest administering the sacrament
14. People leaving the church
15. SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Zoran Maksimovic, Kosovo Serb:
"We have lived here, me and my family forever and no matter what happens we will stay here. Hopefully peace will come to this place and we want things to be as they were before. If they think we will abandon our place they are wrong. We will stay here forever.
16. Various of women lighting candles
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Kosovo Serbs gathered on Sunday for Easter church services, celebrating the Christian festival according to the Orthodox calendar.
The services coincided with a message from the patriarch in Belgrade, urging church followers to take a vow to defend Kosovo.
The head of the church and other church leaders, said that Kosovo was part of every Orthodox Christian Serb's life.
Kosovo was the ancient seat of the Serbian church and the Serbian medieval state. But the region is now dominated by ethnic Albanians who declared independence from Serbia in February.
Serbia has condemned the move as illegal and many Serbs still remain in the region.
Zoran Maksimovic told AP Television he would stay in Kosovo for ever.
"No matter what happens we will stay here. Hopefully peace will come to this place and we want things to be as they were before. If they think we will abandon our place they are wrong," he said.
Serbs and other Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter according to a different calendar.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
