The Arizona sentinel., 1888-04-14
RUSSIAN PRIESTS.
Their Existence One of Misery, Want,
 Hardship and Foil.


 Hardship and Foil.
 The established religion of Russia is formulated after the doctrines of the Greek church. and the priesthood of the empire form 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 university they are 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 hs finds himself on the wrong side of be 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, chrisfenings and funerals and even collections f71 other sources proves entirely made quate to his wanis. He can not re- marry, as inc law allows him but one ! wife, and shOnld she die he must foI- | ever remain q widower, an unpleasant contingency to contemplate. He therefore selects the healthiest woman he can find, in the hope of long life of domestic bliss.
 It often happens that on re hing the village placed under his care he 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 toners. This necessitates the pur- chase of new sarafens 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 One peasant will, perhaps, give kopekas (24 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 peled 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 50 rubles per year. Another source of revenue is the collecting of eggs during the Easter season, and the making of perogs Ca 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 disarm the bad genius and turn aside the impend- ing wrath he spits on the ground as he passes the priest. This is religious ly believed to be sure protection against all evil influences. The life of a country priest in the great Russian Empire is far from pleasant one. It represents every possibility between the positive and superlative degrees ot misfortune. The Countess Norrgikow, ns Chie9qo Hera!d.