The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-05-20

u the IrlarS, IN spanish.
Myracle ofthe Holy Fire.
About twelve O'Clock we went to the
holy sepulchre, TO witness the notorious
miracle OF the holy fire. The governor Of
the town was stationed under his tent at
the church door, to levy the tribute of cafr
for entrance. Pilgrims from the limits OF
Palestine according to their various towns,
pay from one to three piastres. The fnhab-
itants of the village OF Hydda have liberty
| to enter on received a boz on the ear.
Every pilgrim from more distant parts OF
the world pays twenty-three piastres and
ten paras. We saluted his highness as we
passed. and entered without paying. The
church was so crowded, and in such con-
fusion, that we Immediately made oar way
to that part Of the gallery belonging to the
Latins, where we obtained excellent situa-
tions for seeing all that passed. Most of
the pilgrims then present had remained in
the church the whole Of the preceding
might, which rendered the atmosphere ex-
Fceepingfy noxious. Many were engaged
performing their de Votions round the sepul-
chre. with q religious enthusiasm nearly
approaching to madness. NotwithStand-
ing the church was crowded with people
to excess, they contrived to preserve 8
narrow passage round the sepulchre for the
exercise Ct the rites of the day. The
Greeks smployed in them were shabbily
dressed, and several scarcely dressed at
all. Some were carried round on the shout
ders OF others some accompanied vile
chars with clapping of hands, and then
ran round, with all their might believing
aloud till they we're obliged to stop to take
breath. Two Crack priests, near the door
of the sepulchre, were busily engaged in
regulating the proceedings. The time ap-
preaching fof the performance Of the mira
Gle, the church became much more crowd
ed, and innumerabe wax candles appear
ed above the heads oil the mob. The goYer-
nor entered the church about two o'clock,
with his suite, and took mis- seat in the GAL
lery. At his signal the Greek procession
commenced. The priests walked two and
two chanting supplcstions for the suecess-
full accomplishment Of me miracle. They
marched three times round the sepulrhre,
and then speedily unrobed in the church.
The archbishop was led through the crowd
by the Turkish soldiers, and literally push
ed into the sepulchre in a most indecorous
manner. A few minutes Of great anxiety
elapsed, when the fire began to glow at
small hole in the east wall of the tomb and
the yell and confusion that followed was
terrible indeed. Two flambeaux of the |
fire were imme ejiately deliver. |
cd to the Armenian prizes. stationed at the /
hole, and with the utmost dilhculty he I
hustled through the crowd to distribute it
to his flock. Numbers Of Greeks then light |
ed bundles CT tapers at the hole, and pre-
sently the whole church was, as it were, in
one flame. Many were seen putting the
supposed innocency of the fame to the
test, by applying it to various parts Of the
body; women exposed their breasts for
this purpose, and exhibited great appear
ance of fortitude. In the mid. Of this con-
fusion the archbishop was borne out of the
sepulchre on the shoulders OF four men,
brandsh'ng two lighted fambeaux, and
exhibiting the most eYtravagant jov at the
successful accomplishment Of the miracle.
The lights shortly became extinct, and
space was cleared round the sepulchre for
the professions of the Ar,nenians, Copts,
and Syrians. all in their full robes, and
each flock accompanied by its respective
pastor. The dresses Of the Armenans ap-
peared the richest. and they were otherwise
distinguished by some well painted ban
ners. The most curious were composed
Of two twisted serpents. The Greek
priests have thus, for many years, prac.is-
ed on the credulity OF the people, they are
of course, well aware Of the impos ture, bu,
are obliged to continue it to prevent gen.
eral apostacy and loss Of the immense
treasures they derive from it. The Ar
menians and Copts support the fraud, and
purchase the sacred fire of the Greeks a
the most exorbitant prices. They say tn.
tire is most efticacious. as an assuranc,
against the effects of hell fire. on its frs
appearance, and loses all its virtues atte
the expiration of the first five minutes
hence the great anxiety of some indivi
duals to have it al rsthand, in which the
only succeed by paying the most incredibl
sums OF money; the consequence OF whic
, is, that the Greeks are able to carry ever
thing before them by their riches, to tn
: expulsion of the indignan Latins, who ar
, by degrees losing all their ancient rite
J and customs in regard to the holy place.
!. Visit to Bethlehem.
l. On leaving the pools of Solomon, (tW