(10 Apr 1999) Eng/Macedo/Nat
Macedonia's orthodox Christian community celebrated Easter on Friday night against a backdrop of continued NATO bombardment.
Many used the time to donate money for refugees and to sign anti-NATO petitions.
At the main Basilica in the Macedonian capital of Skopje, people gathered to celebrate Easter.
At the service priests called for a halt to the NATO bombing and the restoration of peace in the region.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As a man of the church, I am against any killing, wherever.
Q: Is it right to continue bombing over Easter
"No. not only for Easter. Never."
SUPER CAPTION: Father Metodie, Cleric
SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian)
"At Easter, we have to pray for peace and we pray for peace in the whole region. We pray to God in Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece."
SUPER CAPTION: Archbishop Mikhail, Patriarch of Ohrid and Macedonia
Money was collected to help relieve the hardship faced by the refugees and after receiving the priests' blessing, worshippers lined up to sign a petition calling for a halt to NATO's airstrikes.
The majority of Macedonia's population are of the orthodox faith and many identify with the Serbs.
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