American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-10-23
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA

The persecution, says the Journal des Debats,
in "a recent number, against the Polish CatIo-
lies is continued with greater barbarity than
ever, if we may credit the following report,
which we borrow chiefly from the Unipers:
"On the 22d ult. the Polish refugees in Paris
attended a funeral service, celebrated in the
Church of st. Roch, in honor of the a. nuns
who were recently martyred in the town Of
Witebesk, with refinement of cruelty that one
would refuse to credit it, had not witnesses in
every respect worthy of belief attested the fact.
This convent had been established from time
immemorial near the town of Minsk, and the
inmates fulfilled, among the people, the same
duties as our Sisters of Charity. They nstruc-
ted the children, provided for the widows and
aged, and assisted the poor by the fruits Of
their labors. They had, unfortunately, for
chaplain, priest called Michclewicz, one Of
those creatures whom tyranncal governments
invariably select to fill the chief offices of the
church. This wretch, having become bishop,
apostatzed, and wished to involve in his guilt
the holy sisterhood. After besettins them in ev-
cry kind of way, and vainly resorting to promi-
ses, porsuasons, and threats, porceiving that he
could not obtain his object, he determined to
punish by severity. During the night, by his
order, Cossacks surrounded the convent, sezcd
the nuns with the most revolving brutality,
bound them with cords, and conducted them
thus to Witebesk nearly twenty leagues from
Mnsk, compelling them TO walk the entire
distance. At this place they were confined in
convent of schismatical nuns, in the capacity
OF servants, or more properly speaking as
slaves. Those who are acquainted with the
profound ignorance, dissolute morals, and ar
dent tanatlclsm Of these Greek nuns can form
some idea of the dreadful treatment which the
Baslian sisters were compelled to endure
Forced to perform the most vile offices, supp-
ed with quantity of black bread scarcely suf-
tlcient to support nature, each of them more
over received regularly every Friday so lashes,
SO that their eXtenuated bodies were covered
with wounds and SORES, yet they showed even
more courage under these trying circumstances
than their enemies exhibited fcrocity. Encou-
raging each other to suffer patiently for the
glory OF God, they persevered in the Catholic
religion. The anger fthe apostate Suinayko
increased. He caused these holy and sef-dc-
voted creatures TO be ironed and sent to the
galeys. Their nourishment had latterly COLI
sisted of half salt herring daily, with small
measure of water. This diet was now changed
to half pound of black break, with the same
quantity of water, and thus, whilst suffering
from hunger and thirst they were compelled
w at 10 idoOIcIo W lIc HltSOiiS ctOplOJcu III
constructing the Episcopal Palace. Several of
them were driven into the river up to their necks,
and from time TO time plunged under the wa
ter, because they persisted in refusing to apos-
tatIze; Others condemned to labor in mines,
were placed where the danger was most mmi-
ncnt, and were in many instances killed; final
ly, eight of them had their eyes torn out. Their
faith surmounted these severe trials, not one Of
them gave way, though 80 OF them sunk I'M
der their sufferlngs. Among the IT who yet
survived, after the death, or rather after the
triumph OF these 80 martyrs, three only posses
sed sufficient strength 10 avail themselves of an
occasion which presented of escaping their I'M
merited punishment. The schismatlc nuns who
guarded them having become insensible from in
ebriety after one of the orgies consequent upon
certain of their teteS, they were enabled to climb
over the door of their prison, and thus escaped
unobserved. 1t was not without regret that
they abandoned their companions, and renuun-
ced the glory Of dying with them, but they
hoped to be of service to their faith and to
their country; moreover, it was expedient that
Europe should be made acquainted with what
had TRANSFERRED. After encountering thousand
dangers and hardships they succeeded in enter
ing Austria, and one of then the venerable
superior, is actually at present in Paris. 1t is
this lady from whom VIC have gained the above
facts, and which we also take from the Polish
journal the Tros Mai
"These facts appear startling" observes the
Journal dss Dtbats, "but unfortunately, when
Russian policy is concerned, every thing is Gre
diblo. The Emperor is resolved to bring all
his subjects to the orthodox Greek Church
| The autocrat will not tolerate any religion in
in his European States except his own. All
resistance is treated as rebellion. We will not,
however, call upon Europe to join in u crusade
against the Emperor Of Russia, and we have no
desire to see return again the times when Gods
creatures cut each others threats in the name
of religion. We would wish to see the spirit
OF Intolerance, which has trumphed in civilized
countries, take the place of those odious excess
ses. To go back to the period when Catholic
armies destroyed by fire and sword the Chris
tian sectarians of Abby appears to us bad
means Of preventing the prosecutions arising
from Russian policy and orthodoxy"