The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

RUsSIA'S SACRED SHRINE.
The Wonder-Wvrking Picture Of
the "Nother of God"

IT is 7 o'clock in the afternoon i'm Mos
cow June IA, Russian time dune rs every
where elsel, but Russias sun IL more than
two hours high and viii peep over the
horizon tomorrow morning before
o'clock. We are standing in the broadcast
street OF the city near the Incompatible
kremlin and opposite n gigantic gateway,
under which nestles little chapel OF coll
ored marbles with blue pyramidal roof
flecked with golden 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 doube-decked horse cars
go through this strange ceremony.
Here comes a gang OF dusty lahorers,
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, cookbook
ing men, too. with clear compilations 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 hll 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 prancing black stall
lions is hating. and a wealthy lady with
a maid steps out TO knccl before the sacred
shrine Hero close 10 us are merchants.
coming from their pretty shops in the
matchiess glass arcade near BY, They.
too. without exception. pay homage aud
make the sacred sign. and tho poor peas
ants from afar with black bread and
onions IN a cloth. with coarse clothing and
straw shoes and stout walking stick which
has helped them over a hundred yersts -
they 90 course. are aided with rapture ana
PROSTATE themselves fat upon tho pave
fneut kissing everything IN reach Ia pas
sionate alteration
what H. the meaning Of an thissf We
ask. aud 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 eyes rest
OH a royal carriage which we had over
locked II was drawn by heauufG. black
horses. with livoried hareheaied attend
ants who are taking from the carriage a
hlarkencd picture 81 the Blessed Virgin
This then must be the wonder working
Mother q God" thc mos; sacred picture
Ia ah Russia. before which the czar PROS
trates himself before entering the Kremllu.
Ne open our German Baedekcr and read
that the picture IL 80 years old. and was
brought from Mount Athos and covered
With pearls Nud previous stones IL Is
taken tn royal carriage every day 10 ERE
homes Of ghc sick. where il works mira
cleS and receives great sums OF money II
has a cash in one cheek. made Ions ago
pN a AttAf sMo'lt NNk 20.iioI4~ NNh.a now
gladly give their lives to save the i3oi
from such ipdiguity.
We enter the chapel when the picture
has been set In place again. and buy tiny
candle. which we place alongside a hundred
others flliug the room with a sitting odor
This, however. Is real perfume compared
60 the orthodox f0rty-scvtn distinct smells
OF Moscow. We will no. knecl and We
cannot stand with ii score kueelng be-
bind MS cndeavoring 20 500 the sacred Ikon.
so we hack out into the air lce'lug the
scorn reflected from half hundred faces
LIONS Hsgal1,