St. Landry democrat., 1888-04-07
PICTURES OF SAINTS.
The Veneration With Which They Arc Re-
carded in Russia.

rarded in Russia.
Toward their icons, as the pictures
of the Saviour and the saints are
called, the people show the greatest
veneration, and one or more hangs In
every house in Russia, even in the bus
mess offices. Whoever enters store
or house in which one of these plct-
ures is hanging, must remove his hat
or he is liable to be asked to do so.
The icons are always covered with
screens of metal, with the exception OF
the face and the hands of the saint.
This is because no man can conceive
of the apparel of the inhabitants in
Heaven.
In the report which was made to
Queen Elizabeth, of England, by
George Tuberville, who was sent with
an embassy to Ivan the Terrible, the
manners of the Russians are described
in quaint verse. He says:
''Their idols have their hearts, on God they
never call
Unless it be Nichola Baugh that hangs against
the wall.
The house that hath no God, or painted saint
within,
Is not TO be resorted to-that roof is filled with
sim"
The numerous icons, covered usual
ly with sheaths of gold, are studded
with precious stones. as they often are,
give wondrous richness to the inte-
rior of Russian church, heightened
by the lights that are continually burn
ing before them. Every worshiper
buys a candle, lights it, and places it
in rack made for the purpose, before
the icon of his favorite saint. The
prayers are supposed to ascend to
Heaven on the flames
Not only are icons to be found in all
the houses and business places OF Rus
STA, but they are frequently to be seen
in little chapels or kiosks in the streets.
On the opposite side of the Nevski
Prospect from the hotel in which we
lived was one of the most famous icons
in Petersburg, the picture OF saint
which is supposed to watch over the
interests of commerce-the patron OF
trade. During the business hours OF
the day, from sunrise to sunset, in fact,
the little chapel in which it stands was
crowded with people merchants,
clerks, artisans, laborers, and all
classes of the communicative bought
and lighted candles first, and then
bowed to pray for prosperous results
in the days trade, each leaving some
contribution for the benefit OF the
church as peace offering. -
1t is curious and interesting sight
to see the devoutness with which the
sanctuary is approached. Not drosky
driver would pass it, no matter at what
speed, without crossing himself with
three fingers and taking off his hat.
The same forms are practiced by all
foot passengers. The street was usu-
ally crowded during the business hours
of the day, but every hat went off and
every right hand made the sign of the
cross when the little chapel was
reached. All the passengers in the
street car, and the conductor and
driver as we'll, did the same obeisance.
The morning after we arrived we
witnessed from the balcony of the ho-
| tel what in any other country would
have seemed remarkable spectacle,
but in Russia it was common, as we
afterward discovered. It happened to
be the anniversary of the saint that
| presides over commerce-the saint Of
the little chapel have been speaking
about There was a great stir early in
the morning. commotion such as we
see at home on holiday; men were
stan1.ing about in their best clothes,
women with little ones Juggling at their
skirts, and the crowd around the chap
ell, which was always great, seemed
greater than ever.
Soon carriage drove up and priest
with long white hair and beard-for
the Russian priests neverscut their hair
or beards-alighted. Then a band of
music and battalion of soldiers ar
rived, followed by large company Of
priests and monks. About ten o'clock
the crowd had increased to such mum.
bers that traffic was suspended, and
finally procession was formed at the
head of which were a lot OF white-robed
monks chanting, then company OF
acolytes swinging incense urns, then
the white-haired priest or metropol-
itan, as he proved to be, camet- bear
ing in his hands the sacred icon of the
chapel, being sheltered by canopy
of golden cloth carried by four other
priests. Behind him came other priests
and monks. then the military band
and the battalion Of soldiers, and
finally q procession of people
reaching several blocks, not march,
ing in column, but huddled together,
and filling the entire street from wall
to wall. During the time the icon was
being brought out from the chapel till
the procession began to move. every
one but the priests and soldiers were
on their knees in the street When it
had reached its place in the procession
all rose and followed.
The same ceremony was repeated
about four in the afternoon, when the
icon was brought back and deposited
in its usual place. Upon inquiry I
learned that, it being the day of this