Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-23

hholbnt Attlc, result duh 70 tne hpfohu OF eu-
ueatian among the people, their thirst Tor
knowledge and the national pride OF ancestry.
Like Their Grsnt Ancestors.
A TRAVELLER who stays but short time In O
country and visits only small part of 1t,
Ia apt TO form hasty impressions and generalize
from insufficient evidence, But II the Corf-
otes may be taken as an example, the Greeks
OF to-day may be said to retain many of the
characteristics of the anoients. They are fond
OF talking, easily moved by praise, and cour-
teous In the extreme. OF the natives OF Corfu
In particular, it may be ADDED that they are
moral, frugal, temperate, and although they
have the reputation. believe, of being ldlers,
should not hesitate in adding, industrious. The
women are extremely fond of ornamenting
their persons and the last lepton, 1t is said will
be spent for trinket to wear Sundays or holi-
days. The upper classes wear, OF course, the
European dress, but among the middle and
lower classes there are many who wear the ma
village by local usage. Constant communica-
tion with the neighboring shores of Epirus
brings many Albanians to Corfu, whose strik
ing dress, together with that of a mixed pOpu-
lation thronging the streets on q holiday, make
up sight, as has once been said, as of a mosaic
in bright colors.
The Greek calendar is, as we'll known IL
days behind ours. The fact brought Easter
Sunday on April I3 The 9th was, therefore,
Palm Sunday. For Corfu it was still more,
1t was the day on which the patron saint of the
Isl island Saint spirdS3 one Of the early fathers .h
people; it was, moreover, the anniversary OF
the Greek independence. In honor OF the lat
ter event we at s A. NJ. dressed the ship In
rainbow of flags the Greek national ensign at
the main truck, and at noon fired Il guns. by
invitation ten officers of the fleet were present
at the exercises in the Cathedral.
Picturesque Costumes.
IN the body of the church were many women
in Greek costumes, striking rather than
pretty In appearance. The skirts, usually blue
in color, hang from the waist in innumerablo
pleats: the jackets are richly embroidered and
fastened by huge silver buckles of curious
workmanship; the bust Is covered with fine lace
or elaborate embroidery; In the ears are long
pendant earrings; on the head heavy coils OF
hair piled high the masses made higher stilliby
cloths wound turban-like about them. tho coils
eDtyined with pearls or strings OF coins OF
medals. Rarely the owners OF such costume
possessed what we are accustomed TO regard as
o classical face with n clear.cut Greek profile.
The exercises opened with the Te Doum, con-
Quoted by the venerable archbishop In elab0r-
ato vestments, and eight bishops, four young |
looking, dark and swarthy, and four old ones
with flowing whito hair and beard, as Is the
custom. All these were In silver ana blue |
robes. highly embroidered and coyered with
modallons. Their singing was especially good,
entirely without instrumental accompaniment;
When finally, mngling with tho last Joyiul
Kyrio Elois0n. the band stationed at the
church door broke In with the beautiful creek
national air, tho sound was insplrltinE. we
grasped their hands with words OF congratula-
tion on our lips.
An Imposing Ceremony.
A VTER tho To Deum tho services preceding
= tho procession of tho saint began, being led |
by young member of the clergy, the arch. |
bishop being seated meanwhile receiving salu. |
tations and tho kisses OF tho local officials.
The services were short but impressive. after |
which tho mummy Of Saint splrldlon, or spro, |
as tho local dialect familiarly and affection.
atey calls him, In gilt easket, through whose |
windows tho head and shoulders are visible, |
was carried, preceded by incense bearers, out
of tho church to makeHthe pilgrimage through |
tho streets of the city. This procession lasted |
several hours since many stops were made.
Returning TO tho COnsnls we had from bis |
windows q good view of tho passage OF the |
saint. 10 him are ascrlbed by tho native Cor
nbte all the blessings which befall the island. |
The church, whiJh Is tho property or noble
Greek family, derives eohSeta6s st 1s ~ tSe
shrine Of the saint.
or the Greek priests, am Informed, the
lower orders arc often ignorant and llllterate.
tho higher classes refined, intelligent and we'll
informed on all subjects. Priests arc not for
bidden to marry, although since bishop must
be unmarried Or wldower, marriage ls bar
to advancement. and the priest who wishes to
rise remains single. TO the Greek church
Greece owes much-the preservation OF her
language, q substantial share In the achieve
ment OF her Independence and the spread OF
education among all classes. Hence 1t Is very |
close to the hearts of the people. Tho Church
of Greece, as distinguished from what we often
call the Greek church, Is independent OF all
other Greek churches and governed by synod
in Athens.
A Marvel of Beauty.
7 N the Kings summer residence and gardens.
Mon Repos natural beauties have been
carefully preserved and to the rustic retire.
ment of shady walks. skirting the beautiful sea
or mounting the hills, commend me for peace