The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-07

have long boards and let their hair grow
almost 10 their shoulders. On their heads
they wear black cylindrical hats, sur
mounted oy circular piece OF goods.
Their gowns are usually black, with loose
sleeves. Occasionally you see one going
about in some sort of dirty brown robe
with cord about the waist. Most Of
these priests (pappas) have black hair
and sWarthy faces. Some, however, have
Yellow locks winch look not unlike a
great mass OF hemp. The effect of the
tall black cylinder on such a head is gro
tesque in the extreme. AS a rule the
people look with ill-favOr on all who at
tempt to convert them from the faith
Of their fathers, consequently there are
Few Protestants found among the native
population. The Greek church, of course,
does not acknowledge the papal power;
moreover, it forbids the use of images,
so everywhere one sees only the pic
lures of saints and martyrs. Sometimes
offerings are hung about these ikions,
and in this way the church receives a
considerable revenue.
AT Eastertide the ancient and the mod
ern are strangely mingled. The Easter
feast is held { the same time of the year
as the Eleusinian mysteries of old-When
Persephone daughter of Ceres, returned
10 earth bringing life and happiness with
her, and tyDifying a resurrection in the
vegetable world. The ceremonies are strik-
ingly similar. The nine days fast and the
mournful night procession at Eleusis were
followed by the morning Of joy, which cee-
brated PersephOne's return. The Lenten
fast is rigidlv observed, bread olive oil
and Xeget ablss forming the habitual diet
on Msunday Thursday occurs What IS
called the reading of the twelve gospels,
or what are in reality the last three chap
tiers from the four evangelists. On the
night of Good Friday occurs the funeral
procession. In every church the ilxon of the
Saviour is displayed on a bier, surrounded
by candles and C7Vered with a veil and
mass of flowers. About ten O'Clock each
ikon is borne into the street. The grand
est procession naturally proceeds from the
metropolitan. The streets are filled with
marching priests accompanied by bands
playing the Dead March"
People throng into the squares, all the
who have come down from the mountains
with sheep and lambs, for who is there
who will not break the long fast with an
Easter lamb, which can be bought for
about 6 wrachmas Qess than a dollar?
Saturday night the real celebration be-
gins. All the city throngs toward the
cathedral. Within are the royal family
fore midnight the bishop and priests adj
vance TO the door. The dignitaries light
their tapers from that of the bishop. Soon
the lights have been passed on to the
silent multitude. The whole mass is
ablaze. The Metropolitan, all glorious in
his tiara, carrying the croz1er, mounts a
platform outside the cathedral The bell
priest proclaims the joyous news THE
Lord is risen" In an instant the silent
multitude is transformed into an exult-
ant host On every tongues are the
words, Christ is risen. He is risen"
So, amid the ringing of bells, the Whiz-
zing of rockets, and the blazing of Ben
gal lights, old and young, rich and poor,
the beautiful message, and joy reigns su-
preme.