Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-12-20
Churcn Ceremonte. IN Modern Athens


The church ceremonies are perhaps
the most interesting sights in modern
Athens. The most enthusiastic ritualist
who has been az Rome throughout Holy
Week, and has sconscientiously attended
all the Church functions, such as they
were when the Pope and his court took
their share in them, may be inclined to
hope. daZZled and delighted and i'm
pressed as ne may have been, that he
has done with ceremonies forever. He
will be charmed to find that his jaded
taste can be refreshed, and a really new
field of interest opened to him in the
service of the Greek Church. Lent is
very strictly kept throughout the OrthO-
dox East. On Thursday and Friday in
Holy Week. large tiOcks of sheep and
lambs were driven from all the country
round into the waste lands outside the
town, aud one met everywhere shep-
herd lads in filthy fustanellas bearing
con their shoulders lambs which they
offered for eight. SIX, or four drachmai.
Sometimes the poor patient beasts were
slung over one shoulder only, and held
by the hind legs, their heads hanging
down behind; sometimes drawn around
the mans neck like comforter, and
held by all four legs before. On Satur-
day morning one met the same lambs,
which had now changed masters, and
MINIS their lives and their skins, were
carried by butcher-boys on trays to
their purchasers. On Easter Day every
household has its lamb. At koloky-
thou, a village outside Athens, on Eas-
ter Eve, We saw an old Pallicar prepar-
ing his for the fire. The animal was
spltted on a strong pole and round
smaller spits the liver, &c, chopped
small, with herbs and salt, were bound,
to be roasted and furnish the next day,
favorite Pallicar dish.
During Good Friday all the shops
were shut. In the evening the whole
population crowded to the churches,
where the choir intOned a monOtonous
chant, and on table before the holy
doors was spread a veil or pail of silk,
on which was embroidered or painted a
figure of Christ, either on the cross or
resting in the tomb.
Throughout Saturday the churches
remained open, but they were chiefly
occupied by the persons who cleaned
them. Until about an hour before mid
night every one made their way to the
Cathedral; the streets were lined with
troops, and a carpet was spread down
the nave and steps. For nearly an hour
the choir chanted, or rather droned,
the Archbishop sitting peacefully, per-
haps YEARLY, on his throne, in black
robes; a little before midnight he en-
tered the holy doors, and taking his
vestments from the altar, was rObed by
his attendant clergymen. At last, most
glOrl0usly vested, a crown on his head,
and holding in his right hand triple,
and in his left double taper, symbols
respectively of the Trinity, and of the
two natures in Christ, he came forth,
and standing before the doors, with the
cathedral clergy grouped round him,
chanted
Christ is risen from the dead.
Having trodien down death By death
And given Lie
To them that are in the tonhs7
Then, as first the clergy and choir,
then the people, advanced to light their
tapers from the candles he bore, he
sung or said
Come take light
From the light that knows evening,
And gloTify Christ,
Who is risen from the dead"
The effect. as the lights passed
rapidly from one to another down the
church, until nave and galleries were
flooded with sparks of flame, was very
striking; every one had brought a ia
per, which were now first lighted.
Presently the Archbishop and his at
tendant clergy, one of whom bore before
himhis pastoral staff, "a silvercrutch, with
handle of twisted snakes, proceededto to
aplatfOrm outside the western doors to
await the King and Queen. The tramp
of cavalry, the blare of tTumpets, and
thunder of cannon announced their ar
rival with royal punctuality. The
Archbishop announced to their Majes-
ties the tidings of the resurrection, and
gave them tapers lighted from the holy
tire. Then the procession entered the
church. The King and Queen re-
manned about half an hour standing
before two thrones, close to that of the
Metropolitan. The choir took the chief
part in the preliminary service, with an
occasional versicle and response by the
Archbishop and clergy. This chanting
was nasal, and to our fancy anything
but joyous. When this was over, their
Majesties were again conducted to the
door by the Archbishop, who then re-
turned to begin the liturgy proper, the
first mass of Easter Day. = Good
Words.