The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-14
RUssIA's STATE cnuscx,
The Greek Denomination Of the Christtuu
Church-Its DoKmaa and Ordinances. !

'""rcn-Its DOKSuas ana Ordinances.
The Hon. Charles Emory Smith. ex.
Minister to Russia. delivered an address
recently at the Grace Baptist
temple, Broad and Berks streets. on the
State Church of Russia" Mr.. Smith
hrst gave brief sketch Of the history
OIL the Greek Church and its separation
from the Roman Catholic Church.
L come not TO discuss or analyze the
Russian Greek Church." said he. but to
say something about the results Of my
personal observation OF some features.
Inc Greek Church is that part OF the
great christian body which recognizes only
tne authority OF the first seven Ecume-
nicai councils. Originally II was united
Win the Roman Church. Differences be-
gan 10 spring up as early as the fifth
century. but the schism was not fully
completed till the eleventh century Ths
Greek Church Is practically n federation
or churches without any centre Of an.
tnority. There is no Pope in the Greek
Church' but there are Patriarchs of Con-
stantinople. Antioch, Alexandria. ana
'erusaiem' the chief prelate being known
as the Metropolitan.
THE Russian Greek Churcb .r,.
nearly 100000 adherents. more than the
entire population OF the United states
The Emperor OF Russia is the head %
the Church. but he has no more 10 do
with its doctrines than the King OF ItaIv
or the Emperor OF Austria has with the
doctrines OF the Roman Church, The Em-
peror is described as the defender OF tina
iaith AS far as the appointive power
goes, ne Is the complete head OF the
hierarchy, and the Holy Synod In made
up OF his appolntees
Inc Greek Church agrees with ths
Roman Church In various dogmas Thev
nave the same veneration for the Virgin
ana mass. They recognize the sacra.
ments and pay attention to fasting. But
there are marked distinctions. The
ureek Church denies the primacy and
splrituai supremacy OF the Popes II rec
oshizes no human infallibility except on
the Iart OF the Ecumenical Council IL
maintains that the Holy Spirit proceeds
from the Father, not from the Son: re-
Jects the doctrine OF purgatory. though
II recognizes the intercession OF the
Saints. NV
The Church has what Is termed a
white clergy and a black clergy. Tbe
latter are monks. They are celibates.
But the white clergy are required "a
marry. The white clergy preponderate
1t Is from the black clergy that ALI the
hlgh prelates are chosen. The white cler-
gy are not allowed to exercise anv choice
as to their wives. The selection Is made
by Bishop, who chooses the widow or
daughter OF another priest All tho
priests sons must become priests. and the
only possible method OF escape is by en-
tering the army
The Greek Church does not havo i'm.
ages, but rather representations of the
saviour, the Madonna and the saints
upon surfaces. These representations ara
called ikons, and those in the edifices
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 in respect for the ikon.
AS to the character OF the Worship:
one never hears a sermon. never heard
but one Russian hierarch deliver a dis
course, and that was on an anniversary.
The services consist of mass and music.
Sometimes the music is very monotonous.
but then, Ii will become most entertaining
and ravishing, the grandest melodies
and the sweetest voices that ever heard.
Women do not take part. All the sing
Ing is by men and boys. The boys, who
have the sweetest voices. are selected
for the priesthood. and their voices are
trained during their whole life. There Is
no instrumental music. philadelphia
Press.