The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-01
RUSSIAN PILGRIMS.
The Holy Places They Visit-Travso
Far to Pray Before Relics.

When the SHOWS of winter melt in
Russia and the woods are fragrant with
vfolets and the ice in great masses floats
down the rivers to the sea- the peasant
of long inaction, comes forth from his
izba and looks abroad. Strange thoughts
have been stirring in him for several
months. recollections Of vow that he
once made, that, if heaven willed, he
would one day worship in a certain
monastery, and there venerate the relics
of its saints. For many long year tC
seemed as if this vow would never be
fulfilled, for there was work to do in
the village, of which he could in no
way rid himself, and still more pressing
was the burden of a numerous family
that could not be left But now the
themselves, and the father and mother
are no longer of the same value to the
community as lalaorers. Indeed, were
they to quit the village they would not
be much missed. Cpe way, however, re-
mains for them to redeem their lost po-
sition and to entitle themselves for the
rest of their lives to the respect of all
their neighbors. IT. is to go on a far
distant pilgrimage.
Innumerable are the sacred places in
Russia and out of Russia which the
pilgrims visit. On the sterile tundras
that end in the lonely strand where the
waves of the White sea fling their foam
upon the walls of the Slovetsky mon
ing the steamer that twill carry them to
Jaffa or on the nabnotonous straight
roads that for verst upon verst lead by
forest of white stemned birch or Somber
pine to the resting place Of St Serge,
near Moscow, or of the the saints who
sleep in the catacOmbS of Petchersk at
Kiev there may be seen bands of pill
grims, staff in hand. journeying on foot,
through poverty or in accordance with
a VOW to thei' far off goal. The men
often wear clumsy but comfortable
shoes of plated bark. stockings fasten-
ed round the leg with string, breeches
reaching to the knee, and wide, baggy,
flowing coats at tached to the waist with
a colored belt. The women have a col
ored underskir t. a short dress and
bodice all in one. and bright hued
handkerchief WI appel round the head.
a knapsack on the back and gOurd
or kettle fastene to a girdle. But the
costumes are yer various, and it would
be impossible to describe them all.
These pilgrims beg for money COM
paratively rarel5-. They have the self
respect and independence which BELTS
people presumably so pious. Perhaps
they have saved OF this pilgrimage for
many years; they are hardy to the last
degree. At night they sleep where they
can, in a monastery or perhaps in sheds
that have been erlected for them by the
road, and when thsay wish to drink they
stop and ask for water at a pea5 mt s
hut where they are respectfully receiv-
ed If they ere short of bread the poor
mujik will give them some, If he has
any for the charitable instinct of the
people in Russia is inextinguishable
And perhaps. too, they will render some
service to the homes that they visit
Tolstoi has described a pilgrim to the
Holy Land who found a whole family
diving of starvation and set them up
again And when Saturday arrives, and
all good people are bound by their ne
ligion to take a bath, then men and wo-
men will plunge into the river, regard
less of the want of bathing machines,
and careless of all bathing regulations.
Glad after this iny ermina BILE march of
MANY weeks. is the Russian pilgrim
when he sees Tar off, flashing against
the azure sky, the dd'meS of the churcfs3S
of the holy places where he IS TO w2r-
Ship And especially is he glad If 1t be
a town like Kiev tins stands on a range
of wooded hills, brea king the monotouy
of the endless plain. Singing more
Joyous hymn, he app caches eagerly, TOR
he knows that there is food and lodg1%5
assured him at his destination At Jsr-
uealeu there is an immense convent
huiIt. supported by the Russian govern
ment. which is we'll aware of what the
pilerirns do to increase Russian lnfiu-
ence and her reputation IN the Holy
Land. At Solovetsky there is a hotel,
with sloDing counters that serve as
resting place At the Davra of Pet
the Oldest of the Russian
there has been house for
the poor since the eleventh century.
Some of the pilgrims are accommodated
in rooms that resemble we'll kept hay
lofts. and each one has locker. where
he may sit during the day and Sleep AZ
night There is hospital there, too,
with so beds, and a special wing Tor
those whose ailments are not OF ser
ious description. And for three days
nils.rims are lodged and boarded free.
and many are allowed to come and go
inst as thew Will.-London Globe.
naoraa for Seeratarv Shaw