CELEBRATION OF ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS IN OSIJEK

OSIJEK, Jan 6 (Hina) - The Serbian National Party (SNS) is organizing the central celebration of the Orthodox Christmas and New Year in Osijek on Thursday. Veselin Pejnovic, vice-president of the SNS and member of Parliament, told a news conference that the idea to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas and New Year in Osijek was part of the party's "Peace Without Alternative" campaign. Asked how come the celebration was organized without consulting the Serbian Orthodox Church, Pejnovic said "the celebration was sponsored by the party in a bid to bring together all people of goodwill." Addressing a cocktail party following the news conference, head of Osijek County Branimir Glavas extended his best wishes to all Serbian Orthodox believers as well as to all Croatian citizens of Serbian nationality in the occupied territories of Croatia. Milan Djukic, leader of the SNS, and Brian Sparrow, British Ambassador to Croatia, were also present at the reception. In the afternoon, SNS members and other Orthodox believers will hear a liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox church in Osijek, celebrated by Archpriest Stavrofor Ilija Karajovic. 061727 MET jan 94