Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-03
RUssrA,s SACRED SHRINE.
The Wonder-worktns Picture Of the
"slotheF%f God"

The WOnder-Working Picture Of the
"slotheFSf Cod"
From the lions Herald.
1t Is o'clock in theafternoon in Moscow.
June ii. Russian time June 20 everywhere
else). but Russia's sun is, more than two
hours high and will peep over the horizon
tomorrow morning before O'Clock. We
are standing in the broadcast street of the
city near the uncomfortable Kremlin and
opposite a gigantic gateway. under which
nestles a little chapel of colored marbles
with blue pyramidal afoof fecked with gol-
den stars. Every passer-by faces the
chapel, uncovers himself, and solemnly
makes the sign of the cross several times,
Even the passengers on the crowded dou-
ble-decked horse cars go through this
strange ceremony. Here comes gang of
dusty laborers. Every one Of them stops,
and, bowling low toward the chapel, crosses
himself again and again. There are some
long haired. long-gowned priests of the
russian Church, very intelligent good
looking men, too, with clear complexions
and kindly eyes, kneeling on the marble
steps with their faces pressed against the
hard pavement Every cab driver in his
padded robe, which makes him fill the
front seat entirely. finds time to remove
his squatty hat and touches his forehead.
chest and right and left shoulders Just
over there splendid carriage with pranc.
ing black stations is hating and a wealthy
iduy Win d maid steps out to knepl before
the sacred shrine. Here close to us are
merchants, coming from their pretty shops
In the matchless glass arcade near by,
Ihey, too, without exception, pay homage
and make the sacred sign. and the poor
peasants from afar. with black bread and
onions in cloth, with coarse clothing and
straw shoes and stout walking stick which
mas helped them over hundred versts-
tney. OF course, are filled with rapture, and
PROSTATE themselves fiat upon the pave
ment, kissing everything In reach in pas
sionate alteration.
What is the meaning of all this?'' we
ask. and as We search eagerly, but in vain,
In the throng for some one who looks AZ
though he could speak a word of some
other language than Russian, our ewes rest
on royal carriage which we had over
looked. 1t was drawn by beautiful black
horses, with liveried, bareheaded attend
ants. who are taking from the carriage a
blackened picture of the Blessed Virgin
This, then, must be the wonder-working
Mother Of God" the most sacred picture
in all Russia, before which the car pros
trates himself before entering the Kremlin.
We open our German Baedeker and read
that the picture is 250 years old was
brought from Mount Athos. and covered
with pearls and precious stones. 1t is
taken in royal carriage every day. to the
homes of the sick, where it works miracles
and receives great sums of money. 1t has
cash in one cheek, made long ago by
Tartar sword; but millions would now glad
ly give their lives to save the idol from
such indignity.
We enter the chapel when the picture
has been set in place again, and buy tiny
candle, which we place alongside a hundred
others, filing the room with sitting odor
This, however, is real perfume compared
to the orthodox forty-seven distinct smells
of Moscow. We will not kneel, and we
cannot stand with score kneeing be-
hind us endeavoring to see the sacred ikon,
so We back out into the air. feeling the
scorn reflected from half hundred faces.