New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-27
Religious Disturbances in Greece.

We have already announced the exist
| ence of great religious excitement in Greece
| occasioned by the preaching of Q monk named
| Christophoros against the spiritual authority o
the Patriarch of Constantinope. Our files o
the affair, from which we are enabled to give a
succint description of the movement.
The Greeks, as is known, at the time of their
declaration of independence, though preserving a
fellowship in doctrine with the rest Of the Oren-
al Church. were unwilling to remain under the
spiritual jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Con-
stantnOple, who was a subject of the Sublime
Porte. A synod was accordingly established in
Greece for the administration of religious affairs.
This state of things continued until the present
year, when treaty was concluded between the
Government of King Ohio and the Patriarch, con-
ierring the religious sovereignty upon the latter,
and thus diminishing the Importance of the Greek
synod. This arrar cement aroused the indgna-
ton of certain monks, at the head Of whom was
Father ChrstOphOrOs, and was made the pretext
for a widespread, popular agitation.
The people, in several of the PelOponnesan
provinces, became greatly excited under the ex-
hortatons Of the monks, and seemed ready to
erect the standard Of revolt. Father Chrstopho-
ros as he saw his influence on the increase, threw
off the cloak, which he had at first assumed, and
made no cOncealment Of his political designs. He
spared no pains to arouse the popuace to hatred
Of the authorities. lie even pretended to work
miracles, sometimes protesting to make the dead
speak, and sometimes appearing in the dark sur.
rounded with luminous halo. BY turns, he be-
came the hnatical preacher, the furious dema-
gogue, the magician, and the military chieftain.
In this last capacity, he employed avery ingenious
system of tactics. When he could not escape
from the troops Of the Government, he would form
a square with the multitude that always sur
rounded him, place himself in the center, and in
this position defy the military, who, bewiIdered by
the audacity Of the monk, and perhaps influenced
by secret superstition, would refuse to dispense
the dense mass, declaring that they could not fire
on women, children, and old men. Christophoros
would then take advantage Of the darkness Of the
night to break up the crowd and hide himself
On the 3lst of May, Chrstophoros was in the
command Of Leuctra followed By a small number
Of armed men and crowd OF women. The au-
thOnties came out TO attack him. Upon seeing
them, ChrstOphoros called upon the women. who
Immediately began to throw stones upon the pur.
suers, and wounded many of them severely. The
same day, preacher named Castorchig. who had
been sent by the Government, pronounced d,.
course against the scandalous and Destructive
doctrines of Chrstophorosi but he made little
impression On the people while Christophoros
endeavored to excite them to burn his adversary.
1t IS stated, officially, that on the Is IN Of J,,ae
the ormy of Christ0pheros, having failed in the
attempt 10 lnyqte the city Of CaIanata, dispersed
al tEet their leader was obliged to fec.
The accounts, however, mp to the last dates
ere SO contIsdictory that il is difficult to de- a.
whether the career Of Christophoros has be, n
stopped, and order restored IN the provinces. or
whether he IS stil successful in stirring up pcpr
la revolt.
q We iitd m TIE HasLia gton Re-
hJHe The oicia! srnocrcenent Of the sppoitasu, Of
The Hou Jorg P. hrNNEDY, Of Maryland, 70 DO s.,r,
'a'y Of The Navy, ia tho place cf w.IllnA Gr.s,m'
iei, le5. I,