Georgian Orthodox, Russian Catholics gather for Easter, Palm Sunday services

(8 Apr 2012) Tbilisi, Georgia
1. Various of people buying boxwood tree branches, the Georgian version of palm tree branches, in the Holy Trinity Cathedral yard on Orthodox Palm Sunday
3. Close of boxwood tree branches with leaflets showing a depiction of Jesus Christ
4. Priest buying boxwood tree plants
5. Mid of parishioners holding boxwood tree branches inside the Holy Trinity Cathedral
6. Arrival of the Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, during holy mass
9. Wide of service in Holy Trinity Cathedral
10. Mid of Ilia II blessing the parish
11. Close of woman with candle
12. Mid of churchgoers crossing themselves
13. Wide topshot of church service
14. Wide of people lighting candles
15. Close of candles
16. Mid of churchgoers
17. Wide of Holy Trinity Church exteriors
Moscow, Russia
18. Zoom in from wide to mid of ceremony at altar during Easter Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
19. Statue of Jesus Christ and candles in cathedral
20. Various of priest sprinkling holy water on believers
21. Vicar walking to pulpit during mass
22. Children holding candles in church
23. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Sergey Timashov, vicar general, Archdiocese of Mother of God at Moscow:
"We can recognise each other by the happiness that can be recognised by everyone who is meeting us, the happiness that is capable of transforming the whole world to bring it to Christ. Christ is risen!"
24. Wide of people rising from their chairs saying (Russian): "He is risen indeed!"
25. Close of candle burning
26. Wide of church service
27. Mid of priests delivering service
28. Various of priests giving communion to churchgoers
29. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Sister Irina, Nun, Moscow Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral:
"I feel a thrill, happiness and revival of spirit. Because, although there is snow outside, there is spring in the soul. And each resurrection of God, if you experience it spiritually, you feel that there's more of it, you get the thrill and a more profound experience, because Christ died for me."
30. Close of decorated eggs being held by Sister Irina
31. Sister Irina entering church
32. Wide of exteriors of Immaculate Conception Cathedral
STORYLINE
Christians in Russia and Georgia are celebrating this Sunday as Catholics and Protestants mark Easter Sunday, while Orthodox Christians mark Palm Sunday.
In the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Orthodox Christians gathered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral for Palm Sunday Mass, held by Georgian Patriarch Ilia II.
Palm Sunday celebrates the believed entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds waving palm tree branches.
In Georgia, the faithful instead waved branches from the boxwood tree to symbolise the palm tree branches.
Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, after adopting Christianity in 4th century.
Meanwhile, in the Russian capital, more than a thousand Catholic Christians gathered in the Moscow Immaculate Conception Cathedral for Easter Sunday Mass.
Priests sprinkled holy water on churchgoers and gave communion to believers attending the service.
Father Sergey Timahov, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Mother of God at Moscow, led the sermon in the cathedral and congratulated the worshippers on resurrection of Christ.
Sister Irina, a nun from the cathedral, said she was excited that it was Easter Sunday.
"I feel a thrill, happiness and revival of spirit. Because, although there is snow outside, there is spring in the soul," she said, clutching a basket of brightly decorated Easter eggs.
There are about 750-thousand Catholic believers in Russia.

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