Actor Tom Hanks had to faced the protesters, including nuns, gathered outside the Lincoln Cathedral, as the movie shooting for "The Da Vinci Code" started.

The religious leaders agreed movie's producers to film in this location only after a donation of $180,000. Nevertheless, the protestants led by nuns gathered outside the cathedral, in a 12 hour prayer vigil held by Catholic nun Sister Mary Michael.

Sister Mary said: "I just don't think it is right that they are filming this story here.

I know the Bishop and Dean argue that it is fiction - and it might even be brilliant fiction - but it is against the very essence of what we believe."

Dan Brown, the author of the best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code" claims in the book that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and fathered a child.

Tom Hanks arrived on the set in a car and briefly waved at a small gathering of fans, who vied with demonstrators for his attention, before disappearing inside.