The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-19
THE ORTHODOX GREEK CHURCH.
Father Dabovich breaches in English
Colony on Columbia River Island.


With all her cosmopolitan features. Seat
tie is hardly accustomed to the sight of a
full-robed priest of the Greek church in
toning the ritual of his church in patri-
archal style In the neat little building on
Lake View avenue, completed by the
Greek Catholics of this city last April.
Rev. Father Sebastian Dabovich last night
conducted the regular vesper service OF
the orthodox Greek church. and preached
a sermon in English.
The sermon was a model of brevity, oc-
cupying just twenty minutes. II was de-
voted mainly 10 two propositions: First.
a correct creed is necessary to a correct
life; and second, the orthodox Greek
church is the only true church of God.
Discussing the first of these. Father
Dahovich said:
I've hear IL frequently remarked that it
matters not what one believes If he does
right. But If one does not believe right
he does not do the right thing; that is, If
his belief is sincere and carried out in
practice. If one believes that which is
wrong. and still acts otherwise from force
of circumstances. he is wrong in heart. A
man may believe in poivramy, but the law
and common custom may forbid its prac-
tice. He would be in outward life Alright
but in heart would be a virtual polygamist
And If circumstances were favorable, his
life would bear its legitimate fruit And
this is just as true of every other moral
evil. Ii is all important to believe right
Every false religion which has cursed
mankind has started In a wrong belief
II might not have affected prac-
teal duties for time. but the
fruit finally developed Thus, belief in
that first lie of Satan's Gen. iii:0 has
borne its legitimate fruit in-first. the
dedication of the beautiful. and unnatural
curiosity: second. self-love. deIusion and
idol worship: third, free thinking, protest
Ing. infidelity and anarchy
The Keynote TO his discussion of the Sec
ond proposition viii be found in his per
Grafton, which was as follows:
Those who will study the doctrine OF
the church. not I'm the errors and weak
ness of human superstItions and failincs
but in her own divinely inspired rites and
institutions. viii appreciate the rnatchIess
purity Of our beloved church. Let us not
be misunderstood We do not assume 70
ourselves any pTerogative OF goodness: on
the contrary. woe unto us who have so
little profited by the perfect holiness OF
our mother church. The best among us
fan grievously short Of the ideal OF the
church, which towers high above us. bear
ing aloft the standard Of the cross
Truly glorious and divine is the plan Of
our church. but aware Of judging her by
the failures and errors of her unworthy
children
In her daily liturgy our mother-the
church-calliug the faithful to PRAYER.
teaches us thus. Let us pray 20 the Lord
for the peace of the whole world. tho good
estate Of the holy churches of God. and
the union Of them all.
For tho unity Of the faith and the COM
munion Of the Holy Spirit making request.
let us commend ourselves and one another
and all our life 70 Christ the Cod
II will perhaps surprise many people to
learn that there are more than 100 men,
bers OF the Greek or Orthodox church in
this city. about half OF whom are native
born Americans. Father Dabovich has one
congregation In California and another in
Portland. in addition 20 the one here. and
he is theoretically planning 70 build a
church in Les Angeles and another at
some point on the Columbia river. prob
ably a. Clifton.
Il met recently very remarkAhlo com
munity." ne said after the servl@e last
night In the Columbia river JUST opno-
site Clifton. there IS a beautiful little ISL
land. which seems II be unnamed visit
Cd Il. and was delighted To fad IL occupied
by FIVE Greek families. who are its sole in
habitants. They are very isolated. and 7
have had difficulty in communicating with
them, because they have no postofnce I
have vcutured 20 suggest that the place be
called Greek Cross island. and 7 hore To
make those families the nucleus Of thirty.
iaE church"
Father rabov}ch was horn in san Fran
cisco and was educated ~ the Greek som
mary there. which has since been moved
20 Alaska. but he has spent several years
in Russia His parents were from psI-
malta. He IS accompanied in lis work ~.
Mr.. Gregovtch, VINO acts as reader. that
IS. he intones the responses in the ritual
Father nabovich wtu remain here several
weeks. ard viii hold services every Saft.r-
day ard Sunday.