Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-05-25
RUss1A,s STATE CHURCH.
The Greek Denomination of the
Christian Church.
Philadelphia Press.

Philadelphia Press.
The Hon. Charles Emory Smith
ex-Minister to Russia, delivered an
address yesterday afternoon at the
Grace Baptist Temple, Broad and
Berks streets, on the estate Church
of Russia" Mr.. Smith first gave
brief sketch of the history Of
the Greek Church and it's separa-
tion from the Roman Catholic
Church.
"I come not to discuss or analyze
the Russian Greek Church," said
he, "but to say something about
the results of my personal obser
walton of some features. The
Greek Church is that part of the
great Christian body which recog-
nizes only the authority of the
first seven Ecumenical Councils.
Originally it was united with the
Roman Church. Differences began
to spring up as early as the fifth
century, but the schism was not
fully completed till the eleventh
century. The Greek Church is
practically a federation of churches
without any centre OF authority.
There is no Pope in the Greek
Church. but there are Patriarchs
of Constantinople. Antioch, Alex
andria, and Jerusalem, the chief
prelate being known as the Metro
politan.
sThe Russian Greek Church en-
braces nearly 100000 adherents,
more than tho entire population of
the United States. The Emperor
of Russia is the head of the
Church, but he has no more to do
with its doctrines than the King of
Italy Oh the Emperor Of austria
has with the doctrines Of the Ro-
man Church. The Emperor is
described as the defender of the
faith. AS far as the appointive
power goes, he is the complete head
of the hierarchy, and the Holy
Synod is made up of his ap-
pointees.
"The Greek Church agrees with
the Roman Church in various dog
mas. They have the same venera-
recognize the sacraments and pay
attention to fasting. But there
are marked distinctions. The
Greek Church denies the primacy
and spiritual supremacy of the
Popes. 1t recognizes no human
infallibility except on the part of
the Ecumenical Council. 1t main
tains that the Holy Spirit proceeds
from the Father, not from the Son !;
rejects the doctrine of purgatory,
though it recognizes the interces-
sion of the Saints.
"The Church has what is termed
a white clergy and a black clergy.
The latter are monks. They are
celibates. But the white clergy
are required to marry. The white
clergy preponderate. 1t is from
tie, black clergy that all the high
prelates are chosen. The white
clergy are not allowed to exercise
any choice as to their wives. The
selection is made by Bishop, who
chooses the widow or daughter OF
another priest. All the priests
sons must become priests, and the
only possible method of escape is
by entering the army.
"The Greek Church does not
have images, but rather represen-
tations of the Savior, the Madonna.
and the saints upon surfaces
These representations are called
ikons, and those in the edifces are
beautiful and very valuable, being
studded often with precious stones
In every house and every shop is
an ikon, and when one enters the
door he must take off his hat ir
respect for the ikon.
GAS to the character of the wor.
ship; one never hears a sermon,
never heard but one Russian heir
arch deliver a discourse, and thai
was on an anniversary. The ser
vices consist of mass and music
Sometimes the music is very
monotonous, but then twill be-
come most entertaining and raw
ishing, the grandest melodies ane
the sweetest voices that I evel
heard. Women do not take part
All the singing is by men and boys
The boys who have the sweetes
voices are selected for the priest
IL IL