The San Francisco call., 1898-01-14

Immediately upon the cessation of the bells the golden gates leading from the inner sanctuary were thrown open as if by magic, and a monk, robed in the black flowing garments of his or der, issued forth, followed by a small procession of priests and lesser digni- taries of the church.
 Upon leaving the sanctuary he marched through the church, where, save the sound of his own prayers, ev- erything was hushed in silence, to a sacred portal leading from the church to the inner sanctuary of Bishop Nich- oloson.
 Upon coming in sight of the bishop standing at the door with the upraised emblem of Christianity in his hand the entire congregation immediately bowed, made the sign of the cross, chanting as they did so hymn of praise.
 The Bishop, upon entering the church, went directly to the sacred gates lead ing to the sanctuary; and, after offer ing up brief prayer, repaired to his throne in the center of the church, where he was assisted in donning his vestments by the assistant priest, pre- paratOry to saying the mass.
 The celebration of mass in the Orien- tai Church, although it differs conSid- erdDly rom the 1kOIIldn CdIHOllC, IS nevertheless impressive and inspiring.
 The vestments used by the Bishop in yesterdays ceremony were similar to those used in the Romish Church, with the exception that the cross was not worn on both sides of the vestment used by the celebrant of the mass, as is the case with the Roman priest when he says mass.
 In addition to the celebration of mass in honor of the new year, special serv- ices were held to commemorate the circumcision of Christ and also the an niversary of the feast day of St Basil.
 Members of the church, without eX- ceptiOn, contributed money toward the purchase of wax candles, to be burned in front of the statues of Christ and St. Basil, in memory of the Savior, and to commemorate the anniversary of the saint.
 All through the sacred observance of mass the choir chanted religious hymns and answered the monotonous chant of the Bishop.
 The ceremony of blessing the sacred mass book and other religious articles on the altar is almost identical with that of the Roman Catholic Church, the only difference being that the Cath olic priest never goes beyond the steps of the altar with the consecrated book, while in the Greek ceremony the book
  and is carried to the Bishops throne in the center of the church to be conse- crated.
 All through the long service the members of the congregation are com- pelled to stand, never changing their attitude but twice, and then at the ele- vation of the host they kneel.
 The most impressive part of yester- days services was the confession of a young man, who knelt before the priest and offered up his prayers to God ask ing for forgiveness, and receiving the body and blood of Christ in holy com munion.
 After the celebration of mass the spe- cial observance was held in honor of the circumcision. It was a brief cere- mony, and consisted in kissing the sa- cred image of Our Lord affixed to a braZen cross and also the receiving of the consecrated bread by the entire congregation. It was an impressive spectacle to see the members of the church marching in single file to the altar and receiving the desired privi- lege of kissing the efflgy of their Saw for, outstretched upon the cross, and receiving a portion of his consecrated body, which was given them after kiss ing the cross.
 The interior of the church presented a maze of lights, which afforded a most dazzling spectacle to the eye.
 In the center Of the church and di- rectly above the Bishops throne was a magnificent slver-plated hanging can- delabrum, studded with myriads of wax candles, presenting a most beautiful sight.
 In the front of the church and just inside the entrance to it was a similar blaze of light from another hanging candelabrum.
 On each side of the gates leading to the altars and serving as a petition to