Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-10-19


conspicuously than elsewhere. The /
christening, according 10 the ritual IN I
the Greek Church. must take place as
soon as possible after the birth. The
baby's christening robes are marveis 4
OF the needleworker's art. The hrst I
godfather, who Is always a high ana |
mighty person. gives the child a gold !
cross inlald with jewels, AID the god
mother provides the little white shirt |
which is used before the ceremony Is
completed. The occasion requires gifts
from all persons connected with the
court. These gifts are often the toys
most likely TO amuse a tiny infant, a.
though many are suitable for a grown
child. Other gifts may be lands or
jewels.
AZ the christening the child y carried
in the arms OF its godmother to the
church or chapel 4 crowd 81 royalty
and nobility. glittering in brilliant uni.
forms and gala toilets. llll the body OF
the church and stand grouped round
the front. The priests wear maguld
cent robes with gold crosses. and sacred
banners are borne before them. Two
deacons carry portrait OF Christ Or the
Virgin Mary.
The godfathers give the priest rlne
wax candles. which are lighted aud
fastened across the font. The priest
incensea the godiathera and godmoth
ers and cousecrates the water with
Ia,
Is formed round the font by those TAX
Ing part In the ceremony. each one
bearing a lighted wax taper. The
name OF the child Is given In writing
to the priest. who puts the paper on an
4 image. which he holds on the ehlld's
breast. meanwhile saying prayer.
| When the priest asks II the child for.
sakes the devil and his works. tina god
/ parents turn their backs 20 the font TO
/ show their horror and ayersioa to tbs
/ question and answer. yes" They
! again face the font, and tho priest
/ takes the child. which Is quite naked.
and. holding II BY the head. 70 hts
thumb and finger sop the ears. dlps it
/ three times In the water pronoanclng
! the words: II bapttze thee IN the name
OF the Father and Of the Son ana OF the
/ Holy Ghost.
The chrlsm. or blptismal uncslon
which Is called the seal OK the gift OF
the Holy Ghost, Immediately follows
baptism. IN performing this ceremony
the priest 1uolnts The cbjll With holy
oil; on the eyes, In order that X may see
only good; on the ears. that these raay
admit only what is pure on the mouth.
that II may speak rs becomes d Chris
tian; on the hand. that II may 10 no
wrong, and on the feet. that they may
tread only in paths Of virtue. ~ the
end Of this ceremony. the shirt, which
the godmother has provided, ia put on
the child by the priest. who says.
Thou art as clean and as clear from
original sin az this shirt; thou art
baptized thou art sanctified, thou art
washed in the name OK the Trinity ;,
The cross, which has been given by the
godfather, the child Is under obliga.
tions to wear all its life II this cross
Is not found upon the child at death,
| hAN RANHt 5hy w AltG hDuUdTNUiA. INH
child may not have Christian burial
even though he be the son OF a hundred
kings. a particular saint is also al.
signed to the child. whose image he Il
charged to cherish with special deyo.
tlon.
Holy oil or chrism, which IL used M
royal baptisms. coronations. and conae-
Grafton Of churches. Is prepared with
elaborate ceremony. There is a copper
vase, overlaid with pearl and called this
alabaster, in which Is kept the Original
oil sent from COnstantinople wher
Christianity was introduced into Rus
STA. a few drops are taken to prepart
the chrism and are replaced with Other
oil, so the quantity never decreases
Wine, roses, lavender. balsams. anf
spiees are mixed with the oil.
Forty days after the birth Of tn,
child, It's mother. the empress. /,
churched, and the infant is receiver
visibly into Christs church by the Civ
ing Of its first sacrament. when tn,
royal gates are opened during maaa
the deacon appears with the chalIce
The baby is carried to the steps, am
the priest coming forward. puts a dror
Of wine into its mouth with a spoon
saying: "The servant Of God communi
Gates in the name Of the Father. tn,
Son and the Holy Ghost"
There ia no such ceremony as con
frmation in the Russian Church, bu
the child continues to receive the sacra
ment from it's baptism. twice a year, n
Easter and on Its saints day, until Il i
7 years old, when II ia brought to tn
confession on Good Friday.
The social functions attendant upo,
n birth in the royal family are yer,
elaborate. They last several days. AL
the riches and magnificence Of the cour
and nobility are displayed. At nigh
the Examinations transform the CAPT
tails. Lamps are removed from tn
street posts, and in their places shin
Illuminated stars and circles. Al
house fronts, roofs, and chimneys ar
outlined with lights. The trees are fuI