Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-19
peace on earth, good loiH and peace,
L0re shall reign and 1orong shall cease
lie is barn, - The Prince Of Peace.
"Let our happy hearts reply
TO the angels in the Sky,
Lore shall reign eterRdlIy"
GreeL Chrl..ma. a, Rr,hIehem.

Bethlehem of Juo@a, the birth place of
our Saviour, is second in sacred interest to
Jerusalem, aud the site of the wondrous event
which has given a name to our era. neither
history nor tradition losing sight of 80 me-
morsble a village. Although under Turkish
dominion, it is wholly Christian town of
about six thousand inhabitants, these Chris
tians belonging chiefly to the Roman Catho-
lic Greek or Armenian churches.
II is customary for great numbers of the
residents of Jerusalem, as well as visitors, to
spend Christmss at Bethlehem, as the churches
celebrate it there with great pomp and cere-
mony. Most go there as worshippers, while
many others go simply as spectators Of the
ceremonies
The Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, whose
see extends over the whole of Palestine, both
east and west OF the Jordan, proceeds yearly
to officiAte at the religious services on Christ
mas-eve in the church of the Nativity at
Bethlehem.
The procession leaves the Patriarchal palA-
Jial city residence, at about noon on the eve,
in great state First in order ride HakarjeyS .
and Shadirma, the old style of Oriental cav
airy in the picturesque Bedouin costume,
the Nakarj-ye, or drummers, beating with
leather thongs a weird and yet martial kind
of tattoo upon small drums fastened on either
side of their saddle bows. Next to this de-
tachment ride a company of fierce Bashi-Ba-
zouks, armed, like the preceding cavalry, to
the teeth. The Cavasses, ecclesiastical and
consular guards, follow, gorgeous in suits Of
cloth heavy with gold embroidery, armed
with pistols and cimeter, bearing in the right
hand long silver mace, the bottom of which
rests on the large old-fashioned stirTup. Be.
hind these outrideTs are the Patriarch and
the Russian Archimandrite, in the flowing
hlaok Of h.. Gr.ab Navt Wt1
the Russian and Greek consuls, with their
official stats, all in full dress uniform. Be-
hind these, in order of rank, come the bish-
ops. priests, monks. and ohoristers of all the
numerous monasteries and churches also
the clerical students and officers in the civil
service. Private citizens from all ranks OF
society and pilgrims from all parts of the
world bring up the rear.
The procession, in numbers often counting
several thousands, winds its way through the
streets of the city, leaving by the Jafa Gate.
Al RachePs Tomb the Patriarch is met by
hundreds of the Bethlehem and Bsit.Jala
men on foot, firing their guns, shouting,
clapping their hands, and singing as they
precede them to Bethlehem. As the cavalry
and citizens Join in this demonstration, the
whole has more the appearance of con-
| quering army than of devout and peaceful
company of worshippers but they come tC
celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the
greatest 'OonqueroT the world ever possessed
aud therefore think 1t not unmeet to render
a hero's honors. Upthrough the billy street,
| of Bethlehem this great army wends its way
| the procession constantly growing larger. Al
they pass the houses they are greeted with
songs Of welcome from the windows by thu
women and children. They arrive at tbs
great square which fronts the great fortress
| like edihoe that holds three extensive monas
teries, the great complex Church of the Ma
tivity.
The cavalry form into line on either side
through which the Patriarch ridSS A pro