One of Bosnia's most historic Orthodox churches is being rebuilt

Описание: (20 May 2008) SHOTLIST

Mostar - 10 May, 2008
1. Wide destroyed church with the city of Mostar in background
2. Mid of destroyed ruins of church
3. Close of priests holding a service at the ruins with cross in background
4. Wide of religious service
5. Mid of church in ruins
6. Various of rubble of church
7. Wide of church arch
8. Mid of young woman lighting a candle
9. Close of woman lighting a candle and crossing herself
10. SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Radivoje Krulj, Mostar Parish Priest
"We're glad that we're holding a service to mark the start of the rebuilding of our church of holy trinity in Mostar. This church was built at a very difficult time for us, orthodox, here. It is a symbol of reunification, and it is a place of gathering and a place of life for all Orthodox Christians in Mostar."

11. Wide of man looking at posters
12. Close of man's face while reading exhibits
13. Close of poster
14. Wide of woman reading exhibit
15. Various of congregation member wanting to donate money to priest
16. UPSOUND : (Serbian) Milorad Seslija, Orthodox believer, church donator,Serb refugee
"I live here all my life, I'm a pensioner and it is not much."
17. SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Milorad Seslija, Orthodox believer, church donator,Serb refugee
"I've been going to this holy temple for 50 years. Since I was a boy until I left this city. I wish to see this church again while I'm still alive. I have a heart disease, but this is my fatherland, and all I have is here."

18. Wide of rubble close to church site
19. Close of arch
20. Wide of church service
21. Mid of service
22. Close of priests holding service
23. Wide of ruins of church
24. SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Radivoje Krulj, Mostar Parish Priest
"I'm sure that life will be brought back to us, orthodox, when this church is rebuilt. We will get a new quality of life, and the other dimension is that the church will unify all those who want to live in peace, and all those want to live side by side here in Mostar."

25. Wide of church arch and city of Mostar in background
26. Mid of ruins of church with mosque in background
27. Various of cross on hill above ruins of church

LEAD IN:

A new lease of life is being given to one of Bosnia's oldest Orthodox shrines.

After sixteen years since being destroyed by the ravages of war, a new chapter in the history of Mostar's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral is being written.

STORYLINE:

An historic church service is being conducted in the ruins of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, in Mostar.

Known as the Holy Trinity, the shrine is considered one of the most important Orthodox places of worship for followers of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Built in 1873 the cathedral once boasted the tallest altar in the Balkans, a gift from the Russian Czar, Alexander II.

However during the bloody conflict of the 1990s, the church was completely destroyed by Croatian troops.

Now, after years in disrepair, a service is being held to mark a new beginning in the troubled history of the building.

The service commemorates the start of raising funds for the restoration works.

It is estimated that it will cost EUR 8 million (around $12 million US Dollars) to rebuild the cathedral.

Radivoje Krulj, Mostar's parish priest, says the church is an important place for all the local Orthodox Christians.

It is hoped the rebuilding of the church will bring the local community closer.

The Serbian Orthodox community has certainly been through difficult times, with many fleeing the city after the church was burnt down.




He says he hopes to see the church rebuilt within his lifetime.



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