The Russellville Democrat., 1888-04-05
RUSSIAN PRIESTS.
Their Existence One of Misery, Want,
Harnshiu and Toll.

Hardship and Toll.
The established religion of Russia is
formulated after the doctrines of the
Greek church, and the priesthood of
the empire form u unique and entirely
separate class of the community in
which they reside.
Their education is somewhat above
that received in our public schools, but
as the opportunity never occurs for
entrance into a university they arc not
versed in classical lore. The Russian
priest or pope, as the people call him,
is at all times ready for the discussion
of public questions, but if he finds
himself on the wrong sid lie of the argu.
ment he will simply smile and walk
away; he thus avoids all feeling OF
anger on either side. The income de-
rived from weddings, christenngs and
funerals and even collections from
other sources proves entirely made.
quate to his wants. He can not re-
marry, as the law allows him but one
wife, and should she die he must for
ever remain widower, an unpleasant
contingency TO contemplate. He
therefore selects tho healthiest woman
he can find, in the hope of long life
of domestic bliss.
1t often happens that on reaching
the village placed under his care be
finds an old, dilapidated dwelling un.
fit for habitation, and thus the drain
on his pocket begins Immediately.
Sometimes the appearance of the
priest is the signal for marriages which
have been delayed owing to the proper
functionary not being 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 offense
should they decline the invitation.
They are also expected to appear in
better garb than any of the parish
loners This necessitates the pur-
chase of new sarafcns (petticoats).
Thus the poor priest is forced some
times to deny himself even neces-
saries that his women folks may pre-
sent respectable appearance at the
village gathering Often the parish Is
small and poor, and the contributions
from the villagers very meager Ono
peasant will, perhaps, give kopekas
(21 cents). onother 10 kopekas, but
the merchant usually doubles the
peasant gift
If the priest and deacons of the
church are on friendly terms the latter
will influence the peasants to assist
the former in his labors. But while no
money is given in return for the as
sistance thus rendered, it yet entails
considerable expense for vodka
(whisky) and food and the priest,
therefore. prefers to do his own work
if possible. During harvest he is com.
peeled to accept assistance, as the
climate is very uncertain, but the
treatment he receives from the peas
ants is indeed aggravating. Some
priests go into the business
of raising bees, and by this
means increase their income perhaps
40 or so rubles per year. Another
source of revenue is the collecting o,
eggs during the Easter season. ana
the making OF perogs Ga peculiar kind
of cake) and buckwheat cakes. for
which they find ready sale. Happy
is the priest if at the end of the year
he finds he can make both ends meet.
When old age overtakes him he be-
comes an object of charity.
The Russian peasant has but little
respect for his spiritual adviser; he is
also very superstitious, and believes
that should he meet his priest while
walking through the village some evil
will surely befall him. To dsarm the
bad genius and turn aside the impend
ing wrath he splits on the ground as
he passes the priest This is religious
ly believed to be sure protection
against all evil influences. The life OF
country priest in the great Russian
Empire is far from pleasant one.
1t represents every possibility between
the positive and superlative degrees of
misfortune. - The Countess AOrraibot0.
us Chicago Herald