Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29

all the literature necessary TO spreau INC
news OF the church. He plays the ofsan,
sings magniffcently. doctors the SICK, anu
makes a cordial out of the leaves % VI.
geranlum-plant, which he Calls INC s .s
Joachim cordial He makes gu "a W"
minutes, and II has a me- mehow na.Os,
even when drunk on the same Jay IL
made. -.
n Is here that the Italians OF the city
mako their deyotions on Easter Sunday
On that day every woman and child goes
10 the church dressed In new CLONES
and carving a little crucifix. The poor
cheap altar Will be beautihed by flowers
but there will be no flowers In the homes
Of the parishOners, as outward display
forms no part OF the Italian Easter.
A FESTIVAL IN LITTLE RUSSIA.
The Russians make a great deal OF
Easter, and while the religious slghIn-
eance OF the season is not sighted, II Is
more of a festival with them than WIN
any other people. They go TO the Greek
churches In the city, and on Easter each
man. woman, and child carries little
wax candle. At the door of the church
the candle is lighted, TO typify the en-
trance of Christ into Jerusalem. The
Russians at Easter time not only cele-
brate the resurrection of Christ. but also
the awakening OF nature after SIX
months sleep, and they make II one OF
the greatest holidays OF the year.
During the six weeks OF Lent, the Rus
slams. who are very observant OF the rules
OF their Church, have lived mostly on rye
bread, potatoes, cucumbers, and weak tea
and are longing for Easter to make UP
for lost time.
The Easter table is set on the eve Ct
tine -En
days. In the centre is placed large
"kurtsch," a cake that is sometimes
three feet high. and is decorated with
a pink flower, as a symbol OF spring
The "Paskka." a very savory dish, MADE
Of cottage cheese. eggs, butter sugar, ana
spices, is as indispensable TO the Easter
table of the Gear as of the RUSSIAN
peasant.
A quantity OF hard-boiled, colored eggs
ham, and brandy, as well as gingerbread
candy, and nuts. complete the Whoie'
Anybody who makes call during the
Easter week brings an egg, and receives
one in exchange. and IS obliged 10 par
take of the dainties that are on the table.
A priest is usually invited 10 bless the
Easter table, and to sprinkle the ku-
itsch" and the "paskka" with holy water.
On the eve of the holiday little before
midnight. the people, young ana old
dressed in their best, start To- chuICh'
where Is held the great Easter service
AS midnight approaches the hum of the
voices gradually ceases till, az the clock
strikes r. all the bells suddenly SEND
forth merry peal Every one holds In
his hand lighted taper, and these thou
sands Of little lights in and outside the
church give the whole scene curious
pcturesqueness.
'Kristos's Vosskress' Christ hath
arisen) says one friend 10 another and
the other replies: "Vossistine Nosskress''
0ea. verify. He hath arisen. Then they
kiss each other on the right and the left
check alternately.
At the Church Of the TRANSPORTATION, In
west Twenty-ninth street. better known
as THE Little Church Around the Cor
ner" where all the famed actors ana
actresses are married and buried from.
viii be found those OF the stage folk who
are religiously inclined on Easter Sunday.
Recently the quaint, rambling church was
ornamented by a Itch" gate after the
old English style. In the language or the
ancient Anglo-Saxon, Itch" meant corpse.
and the fundamental idea OF the lien gate
IS to provide a resting-place al the en-
trance Of the churchyard for the coffin,
and give the pall-bearers a breathing
spell.
Actors and actresses are more religious
than most people give them credit Tor.
They have always made II point TO go
to the Little Church when in the city at