New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-01
CHRISTIANITY IN RUSSIA.

htAoLB
At tho request of many of bis congregation
tho Row Father BjsIiBe of tho Russian Greek Chapcs
yesterday discussed about church life in Rssia and
tho and rites OF the Orthodox Eastern Church
After historical sketo Of the OF Christianity In
Russia be said:
Under Peter tho Great the Parlarchste IN the Rns-
Church was replaced by rev form OF church
government The proposed form 70 this effect: The
highest ecclesiastical power instead OF being coucen'
tratcd IN any ono person, was 10 DO transferred -
Synod consisting OF certain ecclesiastical digD tares
Tho idea was IN Itself oDe though not uo-
csnonical In any Mann r. TOR The supPanilug on
Patriarrhate Ivy the synod had been prescribed even
tho EcumcDieal Councils OF course only IN tho case OF
the death Of O Patriarch. and when his
not dateS chosen. In this case the question was
whether tho Synod. winch legsly existed during the
eccesiastcal inerreRDum could not beeoine prrmahen
TIE Orthodox Patarchs decided TINS question III lhe
affirmative. and mus originated new torn 10 the gov
ernmrnt OF The Russian Churcn. Tue b'n0h la acoiu
ancr With the decisions OF tue General ORIENTAL ChCh
to enter upon Ill he ngat, o. me pat'ia,cn.
pendeutly 10 govern tho Russian Churc1. O1der !le
Holy synod then was awaxened IN all branoars on ,ns
that jealous activity tue
leueiicent ruitsO which we now 80 richly eJSl. ise
higher ibeoo2ca INSTITUTIONS which have furuisnea
nuncroi, wur by Uf the Church, sprsng ~ n
all directions, theological herdtur" f'ccl'eu s.io,S
Inpcu u.s. aud the education OF the ynuln St'urr .ne
hest pedge Tor their true progress III 'Ho os' '"'oaS
classes tne clustered and toe secular. Tue e0nVeot
nie Is founded tbc prcpe that there are mlnds ana
Az special call HON above The church lie Of tho kuS
SIAN nation generally adinncd DS all tnoSe VINO ior
tho first have tnc opportunity OF observing u Ia as
nome. TDo castsof the OtnVdUx Church Include m ths
tirs place great in the life OF our Lord Jesus
Christ Holy Virgin Mary and Ia the second or
the days OF ne saints All these teasts are NOR os
lees sOienInly leLfated H. the Church hut none OF
them compares 10 TINS respect Win the feast OF Eter
At OF the 40 ys fast the Cnnrch prepares htr-
sof Tor lie more worLny celebration during The remain
Ing Fix days In the holy week. The Church con
tinucs in deep fistiug TIL the night OF Easter
sunday. The prOpl" stream nio the cnnrcncs ana az
a.
Tue holy door, which leid to ibc aai, are
opened AMI tie whos body OF the clergy IN Their ies
Ave IODes vita cruclhx In hand the picture repre-eh<
Tag CHrst and tnc Gospel enter the
with solemn chants anu tue molly Liturgy i cot
ebrated with splendid ceremony. As regards iamy de-
vOtUn prayer To CIT Is TO tno plJui mrnloer Oi uio
OrbOdUx Church a leading Thought Tor all moments OF
ms ie. lie increasingly PERFORMS hs morning anu
evening deyotlOns; lie never site down 10 meil az
leaves The table without addressu&G m sie1 prayer
HIS walk t. business, IA W III as the beginning OF esofy
thiug ae generally saucths with tho sign OF the cross
In snort tie w0rldY Moor the RUSSIAN - 9cios'y
with tue ecclesiastical t1at 10 be RUSSIAN hbao
belong To tue OrtnOdoX Church Is almost syuoo} NOUS
As soon as chiid Is DOEl tue priest - ca..eu ~ IN.
prayer over the mother ana 10 give INC newborn ~
CHIEFLY in tue houses Ihe u thOdok Cauren, ~,
member the words OF JeHus CHRIST, "SdErr moe
ms even tue pousbo part At the tao'e OF
the Lord and beautiful custom exls,s ~ huSss VI
bringing ali children. during EASIER week. " the feeeV
Marriage - very nigniy esteemed and ordinarily at
duty OF of children Tor their parents ne
MAIDS above all the consent OF the parents Tor TOO
marriage. Man lives ana dies Dut. as the Apostle says.
'wheiher we live or did, we are always he L'rrs.'
Death to the CHRISTIAN only transit TO eternal c'
Therefore lear OF death Itself that males
as afraid die out the account which We nave 10 sn-
der before the throne Of God This thought Is eped lily
kept awe by thu Orthodox Church Ia tue hearts OF her
clren. nasnnch she teiches them daily 10 pray tor
peaceful end Of life aud Orings To their memory "a
their PRAYERS the fearulDess o. ha lot tAat awaits
the upju.t. II is very rare that the ORTHODOX CnLI
IAN ri K1ssa Gi.s without rsfeiYqg ILe last
.acraments. When the solemn moment fof the depir,
ture of soul from the body approaches Hghted
taper is pressed tho hand OF tue dylns person. anu
he priest is called to read the last lriYers Tor
the separation OF tie soul nom the body. Tie Otiho
Gnx Church reprls from her heart. although rs
may not recognize her mother In the nrn assur'
auce OF her dignity she remains unit within herself