Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-21
UNIQUE XMAS SERVICE
HOW RUSSIANS. I'm FAR WEST
OBSERVE THE DAY.
Al
Impressive Ceremonies In the Greek
Characterization Of the Cross
Entertainment for Children.

Probably very few people have ever visit
ed Greek church In America. and 1t is
for the very good reason that they are
only to be found where there Is Russian
colony. In the western country, to which
bourne many, probably 50 per cent. Of the
Russian emigrants direct their way upon
landing on American shores. there are a
number OF Russian communities where the
church flourishes as do other denomina-
tons.
Tho Greek Church. like other denomina-
lions. has its Christmastide. but it falls
later than that of the Protestant and Ro-
man Catholic churches. The Russian
Christmas falls on January Z.
A visitor to the Christmas services In q
Greek church in a far western city talks
very Interestingly of the ceremonies. The
CONGREGATION assembled In a small wooden
church There were no pews, the wor-
shippers standing or kneeling closely to-
gether, much too close for comfort. The
boy choir, without any accompaniment, un-
der the direction OF a musical director. It
was good melody. the sweet young voices
blending in harmony and producing effect
much different from the religious music
of other churches.
Impressive Church Service.
The venerable priest intoned the mass
and the responses by the congregation were
sympathetic and In unison. The ceremonies
proceeded with a veneration and solemnity
worthy Of copy by many church congrega-
tons. During the service number Of Aus
TRAN folk songs were introduced.
The congregation Of Greek church IS
divided, the men occupying one side and the
women the other. The children always
form a group near and in front OF the
altar. On the occasion mentioned the choir
was stationed in the rear gallery Of this
church. The men held wax candles, which
were lighted and extinguished at intervals.
When the mass was ended the priest
stood in the door before the altar, holding
in his hand a jeweled cross. Beginning
with the smallest children, the congrega-
ton passed before him on its way out, and
each kissed the cross and the priests hand.
and then received the communion wafer.
The old members of the congregation
passed the reading desk before approaching
the priest, and each kissed the Infant Jesus
as represented in framed painting laid
upon the desk. Some Of the more devout
ones showed their alteration by kneeling
with bowed heads before kissing the pic
ture.
Have Fraternal Societies.
The Russians seem to have sort of
union or protective organization. They
were present at the mass in large num-
bers. wearing their badges and carrying an
attractive silk banner temblazoned with
characters and anIappropriats inscription
in Russian r+sr
The priest was patriarchal in appearance
and wore elaborate .yestments made entire
ly of pearl brocaded, satin lined with rose
oolored material and fartictically trimmed
with gold braid. On the shoulders were the
letters Il x L" superimposed on an en-
blem of the sun and the cross.
In the evening there was an appropriate
entertainment for the children, in which
the tn customary Christmas tree figured prom
and goodies from the tree, 1t was as happy
a scene Of festivity as one will see in any
OF the churches Good cheer and good fell
families held reunions, and all entered
Into the true spirit of the festival. This
Sunday school had 135y members enrolled.
and the voting peopla manifested the same
degree OF life and love of pastime as the
American boys and girls - =
The program Of the evening included
songs, recitations and the rendition Of an
old Russian folklore play. -.
The Russian new year began January IL