Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-06-29
RUSSIAN PRIESTS.
Existence One of Misery, Wan
Hard shlp and Toll.

RUSSIAN PRIESTS
IN Existence One ef Misery, Want,
Hsrai-hip and Toll.
The esf abl.slfd religion Of r ,ssia "
formulated aft. r tl,o doctriscs 81 ia
,irerk ehnrci. and the priesthood If
the empire firm unique and entirely
s'paraie class Of the community H.
which they reside.
Their education is somewhat abovc
That received In our public schools, bui
as The opportu iity never occurs for
entrance into university they are no.
verscd in classical lore The r ssiau
priest. or pope, rs the people call him.
l. at all times ready for the d sc,ission |
OF public questions. but If he fin Ia
himself on tie wrong side Of he argn.
nent he will simply smile I'd wa
away; he thas avoids all feeling Of
ang on either side. Tire income Dc
rived from weddings. christenings and
funerals and even collections from
other sources Proves entirely made
qnate to his wants He can not re-
marry. as the law allows him but one
wife. and should she die he must r.
eyer remain widower. an unpleasant
ntiugency 10 contemplate. II
therefore selects The healthiest woman
ne can find. in the hope of long lif,
| 81 domestic bliss.
Travellers always feel free to stop at
the priests house. but the heayies
burden he has to bear, and one which
taxes his resources to the utmost. is
the bringing up and suitable education
OF his numerous family.
1t often happens that or reac hing
he village placed under his care he
iin'is an old. d lapidated dwelling I'M
lit for habitation, anil thus the drain
on his pocket begins Immediately.
Sometimes the appearance of the
rest is the signal for marriages which
have been delay ed owing to The proper
functionary not b ing on the SPOT to
perform the ceremony. In this latter
case the wife and eldest daughter are
expected to attend the wedding. and
it would give the gravest cffense
should they decline the invitation.
They are also expected 10 appear in
better garb than any of the parish
toner's This necessitatcs the pur-
chase OF new sarafens (retticoats)-
Thus the poor priest is forced some
times t, deny himself even neces-
satiss that his women folks may pre-
sent respectable appearance at the
village gathering. Often the parish /:
small and poor. and the contributions
from the villagers very meager. o Ae
reasant will, perhaps, give ) kopeka'
(2l eents). onother 10 kopekas, ba
lie merchant usually doubles tn
peasants gift.
If the priest and dearons of tn
church are on friendly terms the latte
will influence the peasants to assis
the former in his labors. But while n
money is given in return for the as
sistaace thus rendered. it yet entail
onsidcrable expense for vodk
(wh sky) AID food. and the prizes
therefore, prefers to do his own wor
: if possible. During harvest he is con
| peeled to accept assistance, as II
i climate is very uncertain, but II
: treatment he receives from the pea
ants is indeed aggravating. Son
!; priests 60 into the busine
4 of raising bees. and by til
means Increase their income perha
l 40 or so rub.es per year Anoth
d source of revenue is the collecting
x eggs during the Easter season. e
d he making of perogs ia peculiar XII
of cske) and buckwheat cakss. I
which they find ready sale Hap
is the priest if at the end OF the ye
,e he finds he can make both ends me
X When old age ovrrtakes him he
comes an object of charity.
= The Russian peasant has but Lit
respect for his spiritual adviser; he
also very superstitious, and belie'
A that should he meet his priest VII
m walking through the village some
to will surely befall him. To disarm
or bad genius and turn aside the impel
he ing wrath he spits on the ground
II. he passes the priest This is religio
gh " believed to be sure protect
ii. against all evil influences. The hf'
Ii. a country priest in the great Russ
Empire is far from 8 pleasant o
a.. It represents every possibility oetw
nd the positive and superlative degrees
lot misfortune. The Countess Aorra'S
ra in CHICAGO Herald