The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-07

yesterday the Greek Catholic Church celebrated
It's Christmas. In order to understand how it Is
tnat the observance OF the great festival Is not uni
form all over the world 1t IL necessary to 60 back to
Tar remote ages, when the measurement OF time
was imperfect, though founded upon the basis upon
which still rests. AT the very earliest period we
ma that the changes OF the moon supplied q mode
or reckoning time. and thus that months and the
larger division, the year, were accepted. But IL was
soon found that the year did not correspond exactly
with the months, ana hence
SUPPLEMENTARY DAYS
were needed. the Egyptians determined their year
by the seasons and had TO have five supplementary
days; the Jewish year consisted, "a now, OF twelve
lunar MONTHS thus causing great variation in
the number Of days in the year; the Greeks mad
twelve lunar months in the year, but though Scion
sought TO equalize the differences that arose. an
intercalary month was introduced every eight
years, yet the difnculties were still un-
settled. The Romans TOO, at the earliest times
obliged TO introduce inrercalary months. The first
great advance TO the perfection OF the pres
ent system was made In 46 b. g., by julius Caesar,
who gave the months the number OF days they still
have. and made every fourth year a leap year.
There was stIIl want, however, but the Julian
system continued until 1882 A. d., when it was
found that there was an error OF ten complete days.
The Catholic Church had during all this period been
suffering great Inconvenience on account OF the
shifting OF the days, the verna equinox getting
constantly changeable date.
TO POPE GREGORY THE NH.
belongs the honor OF the system Of reckoning time
as 1t now almost universally is observed. lie
caused TO be deducted IRON the year 1852 ten days.
and ordained thst every hundredth year should not
be counted as q leap year, excepting every four
hundredth year; beginning with 1000. This method,
the result OF deep thought and arduous
between the civil and the natural year than one
day In 5000 years. The Catholic world AT once ac-
kn0wedged the Pope's adjustment. but the Protes-
tants OF the low countries opposed the plan until
1850, when they ylelaed. But not until 1851, how
ever, did England acquiesce in The new arrange
mcnt, POpedom beng an especial object OF that
c0untry's hatred In those times. Russia is
now the only country In the world that
adheres TO The Julian mode OF reckoning time; and,
being obliged 10 add two days, on account Of the
two centuries that have IN the meantime begun to
the original ten, 1t follows that tins year and
throughout this century her Church must celebrate
Christmas twelve days after rest OF the world Is
already settled into the new year.
TIE Christmas service at the Russian Greek
chapel in second avenue yesterday was In accord
ance with usual rnes. though nothing especial was
added TO the ordinary ceremonies, except sermon
Ia English by the pastor, the Rev. MIR. Bjerrng
No doubt were the service performed In a suitable
church 1t would be lar more imposing, yet the
little chapel is very neatly arranged and, lighted
only BY the tapers behind the holy table, Is not
void OF that dreamy dusklness which
THE MONKS OF OLD
so much loved. The vestments worn by the priest
were gorgeous, being 1uil Of gold and silver orla-
mentatiOn. The first garment put on Is q silver
cloth alb, then the cncture then the STOLE next an
ornament on the wrist corresponding to the Roman
nincenLly decorated vesture. Ine affair appurte-
nances and. the cloths used in the mysteries
with the reading OF prayers IN English
and Russian. AfLer the third anuphon the priest
north portion OF the sanctuary, the assistant carry
Ing lighted taper before him, ana thus made what
- called the 'lttle entrance.n Tne episte was then
read by the assistant and the priest inceased the
holy table and the whole sanctuary. Then the
priest read the Gospel and soon went to the holy
desk. After arranging the chailce and disk 1.-THE
gold plate on Which Is placed Tie bread, and hav-
ing placed them GU the holy table. he again ln-
censes the sanctuary then, singing the 'Cherublm
Hymn and proceeding to consecrate
THE WORDS OF CONSIDERATION,
uttered In u loud voice, wele:-'rIake and eat This
is My body which IL broken for you Tor the relnis-
sion OF sins" And again ''Drink We all OF this.
rms Is NY blood OF tne new Testament, which Is
porting these texts followed, and the priest then
broke the bread into Jour parts, continuing 10 read
prayers The next noticeable feature was the
blessing given with large gold cross. During
the service the doors OF the sanctuary were
solemn parts were beng performed. Genunexlons
ana kissing Of Hns molly table were also to be OBJ
CEREMONIES SEEMED TO BE AN INVITATION
as OF course they were, OF those OF the Catholic
Church, but lacked the splendid and astounding,
solemn harmony OF the latter. The President or
the United States, the Gar, Chambers Of Congress
and ali Christians were several times prayed for.
Immediately before the Denedlctlon the pastor adj
dressed the congregation fOliOws:-
To-day we celebrate the nativity OF our most
glorious Redeemcr. Praise be 10 Goa on nigh, the
Saviour Is born. We have now short days, long
nights. so II was when Christ came on earth; so IL
looks yet in every heart where AS yet nothing has
been experienced Of the Incarnation oil God. lt Is
winter IN the hearts before the sun Of righteous
ness begins to shine In IT, But the sun OF Life has
begins to come nearer 10 the earth, II one can
thus say for the shortest day is already past, III
world and mas come near '''I to up as-.h hat
sun winch REEVES all illumnes, and warns
all, Without whe8 an remains death and
us inasmucn as the son OF God became man
Where shall we lind words to praise God sufficiently
for HIS eternal mercy? On, most blessed Saviour,
to-uay
THE ORTHODOX CELEBRATES THY NATIVITY
Give us, then, true Christmas gift. LOOK upon
our poverty. Behold now cold ana dreary our
hearts appear. We all need "a renovation In our
account or rny noy ocarnao Ma' we Fea asea on
Thus commenced the words OF the angel 10 the
frightened shepherds. they were watching their
docks OIL the field, when all at once q heavenly light
spread around them. IL became as light as the stu
IN the middle OF the night OF darkness. The light OF
the Lord illuminates them and q Heavenly messen.
ger approached them Then they were AFRAID. ON
account OF sn the mortal body ~ afraid II anything
from higher sphere approaches him. But the
heavenly appararon sad, "Be not alraldn Since
by sin man has separated from God he Is afraid OF
Tie Juugucnt Oh THIS Sldte mas It's
IN guilty conscience. As long the soul
has not tasted oi The reconciliation by the
cross or Christ II remains III lnsuppOrtable
lear OF GOD. There Il no irlist-nO, not the least.
know very well that the socaled enlightened
Christianity OI to-day denies TINS truth at tine pres.
ent time. IL spcaks OF a good Father In heaven
VINO IL so good thai lie loves everything IL speaks
OF human irailtes. with which the good God IL not
strict IL speaks OF all Things save only OF sin.
Dearly beloved in the Lord be not deceived by such
words SIN IS SIN, IN spite O all the world SAYS; for
the day oil judgment VIII come when
EE.C W
before tue Judgment or the word, and the man OF
destruction WIN ia into the second death. For
such the nativity of the LORD Is day OF fear. TO
you nope TINS day Is not day OF fear but OF Joy.
"Deholdl bring unto YOU tIdngs OF great JOY"
sad the angel. But not only 10 tue shepherds was
THIS message given but to the whole human race.
therefore snail this message be preached 10 the