The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-02
RUSSIA'S SACRED SHRINE.
The wonder-workinE Picture OF tn.
another Of God.o
(From the Zlon's HERALD

(From the Zion's Herald
1t is z O'Clock In the afternoon In Mos
COW, June "a, Russian time june 20
everywhere elsr), but hussia's sun ID
more than two hours high and will peep
over the horizon tomorrow morning be-
fore O'Clock. We are Standing In the
broadcast street Of the city, near the income
parable KremIin. and opposite a gigantic
gateway, under which nestles little
chapel OF colored marbles with blue pyra-
m idal roof fiscked with golden stars
Every passer- faces the chapel, uncovers
himself. and solemnly makes the sign
of the GROSS several times. Even the
passengers on the crow ded double-decked
horse cars 20 through this strange cers-
mony. Here comes gang Of dusty
laborers. Every one OF them stops, anu,
bowling low toward the chapel, CROSSES
himself again and again. There are some
long-hsirsd, long-gowned priests of the
Russian church, very Intelligent, good
looking men too, witt clear complex Ions
and kindly eyes, kneeiing on the marble
steps with their faces pressed against the
hard pavement. Every cab driver in bis
padded robs. which ruakes him Ill the
front seat entirely. finds time 10 remov,
his squatty hat and touches his forehead
chest and rig ht and left shoulders. just
over there splendid carriage with
pransipg black stations 10 halting, and
q wealthy lady with maid, steps out to
kneel before the sacred shrine. Here
close to MS are merchants. coming from
their pretty shops In this matohiess glass
aroafs near ty. They. too. without sx-
ception, pay homage and make the sacred
sign, and the poor peasants from afar,
with bla1k bread AMI onions in clio tn,
with COARSE olothing and straw shoes and
stout walking stick which has helped
them over q hundred yersts-they. of
trate themselves Hat upon the pavements
kissing every thing In reach In passionate
alteration.
"What IL the meaning OF all thiss we
ask, and as We search eagerly, but In
vain, In the throng for some one who
looks rs though he could speak word
of soine other language than Russian,
we had overlooked. Ii Is drawn by
beautiful black horses. with Hvsried,
bareheaded attendants, who are taking
from the carriage blaoksnsd picture OF
the Blessed Virgin. This, then, must BIS
the wonder working -"Mothsr Of God. "
fore which the Gear prostrates himself
before entering the Krem lin. We oTen
our German Baedeker and read that the
picture IL $50 years old. was brought
from Mount Atnos, ana Is covered with
pearls and precious stones Ii Is taken
In a royal carr inge every day to tbs homes
Of the sick where it works miracles and
receives great sums Of money. It has d
cash In one cheek. made long $50 by q
Tartar sword; but millions would now
gladly give their lives TO save the idol
from such indignity.
We enter ths chapel when the picture
has been sat In place again, and buy a
Tiny clndls. which we place alongside a
hundred others. filling the room with
a stifiing oder. This, however, Is real
perfume compared TO the orthodox forty
seven distinot smells of Moscow. We
will not kneel, and we cannot stand
with SCORE kneeliug behind us, endeav.
oring to see the sacred ikon, SO we bacg
out Into the air. feeling this scorn re-
ieotsd from half hundred faces.