National Republican., 1884-08-23
GREEK onUnon IN NEW YORK
Farewell Services Conducted by tho
Rev. Father stephen G. IInti,criy.


N1o York Tribune.
Twelve men, two boys, two women, and
throe little children, all OF swarthy hue,
with dark eyes and straight black hair,
stood for two hours yesterday before two
pictures, one representing tho Saviour and
ono the Virgin and Child, before each Of
which burned single taper in long
brass candlestick. IL was in tho school
room attached TO st. Johns chapel in
Varick street, where tho Rev. Father
Stephen G.. Hatherly, grand arch priest Of
the patriarchate of Constantinoplo; was
holding tho last services of tho Greek
church in New York city. For twelve
years the Greek church, receiving mate
rial aid from Russia. flourishcd in this
city undor Father Bjerring's care. Tho
Russian authorities, however, bocamo
dissatisfied with its management and
withdrew their support. The church
ceased to exist. and Father Bjerring on
tered tho ministry Of tho Presbyterian
church. Father Hstherly, contemplate
ing tho organization of another church,
In this city, wrote from Constan ntinople
to the holy synod of Russia inquiring
whether tho field was unoocupiod, and
received this for an answer: "rhere Is no
church in America, nor will there be after
our cruol experience there" Thereupon
Father Hathorly started for this country,
arriving three months ago. Ho spent
sono time in Philadelphia, and two
months ago carne to this city aud began
holding services in the room in which
they were brought to u close yesterday.
He has not succeeded in getting together
congregation large enough TO constitute
a church. Tho Russians in tho city held
aloof and the Greeks are few and poor;
so he has boon compelled to givo up tho
effort, and will start for Philadelphia to-
day, and thence sail within o fortnight on
the steamer Lord Cough, of the American
limo, returning to Constantinoplo. T ho
services yesterday consisted Of the usl al
chanting In the Crock language, acc IN
panied by numerous coremonials. the
swinging censor, and occasional kissing
of the cross and of tho hand Of the arch
priest At ono part of the service the
anagpostes, or reader, who assisted tho
arch priest, went down on his hands
and knees before the latter and
kissed his hand. After reading
the gospel, the arch priost informed
tho congregation that owing to their
unbolief, for which the only cure was
fasting and prayer, the work was discon-
tinued among them. He called upon
them to signify their gratitude to Bishop
Potter and the Trinity corporation for
allowing them to worship in tho school
room for the past eight Sundays, and
they did so by raising their right hands.
Finally he administered the communion
and the service thus closed. Tho arch
priest was gorgeously arrayed in white
silk gown covered with crosses. His long
hair was combed back and reached below
his shoulders and he wore a patriarchal
beard. he stood during portion OF tho
service behind curtains of red muslin by
q table on which tapers wero burning and
was partly hidden from Wow. Father
Hatherly is an Englishman who many
years ago went to Constantinople and
took orders in tho Greek church there, of
which no is now the leading missionary.
Among those present yesterday were the
Mussulman Mustapha, Turkish sailor
whom ho recently baptized, giving him
tho new name OF George.