1.
TGV Procession carries Holy Ikon of St. Nicholas through the streets of Piraeus.
0.06

2.
SV Ditto.
0.10

3.
SCU Ditto.
0.14

4.
SV PAN..From clergyman to Government and Royal representatives.
0.22

5.
SCU V.I.P.'s following.
0.25

6.
TGV Procession.
0.30

7.
CU Holy Ikon.
0.35

8.
SV People make sign of cross.
0.39

9.
SV Small boy ditto.
0.42

10.
PAN UP .. Procession.
0.53



Initials KJ/S/MR/AS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On St Nicholas Day in Piraeus, seaport of Athens, December 6, thousands of unemployed seamen and their families followed the Saint's Ikon in a solemn procession through the city's main streets.

Representatives of the Royal House and Government of Greece, contingents of police, army, navy and air force were among devotees, led by the Bishop of Attica and his attending clergy.

The annual procession followed a mass service at St. Nicholas Church, Piraeus, in honour of the Greek seafarers' patron saint. And the problem foremost in the minds of the many seafaring worshippers this year was the Greek shipping crisis and the current dispute between International Seamen's Unions and owners of ships flying flags of convenience. Unemployment is rife in Greek ports and fervent prayers were said in the hope for a speedy settlement of the issue which makes it virtually impossible for thousands of breadwinners to maintain their families.