Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-25
WEALTH OF RUSSIAN CHURCH,
Cathedrals Have Gold Roofs and Cost
Millions to Build,
From Tit Bits

FROM Ilt-BftS
several English newspaper correspondents
have, it is said. recently been inspecting
the 15.9l3 gold ingots and 1850 sacks of
gold coin. representing some f65 OOO,UOu in
hard cash. which are safely housed In the
Imperial Bank of Russia and which form
RIssia's gold reserve, but the fabulous
wealth of the Russian churches may be in.
spected by the ordinary tourist without
consulting finance ministers or uniformed
officials
The dome of st. Isaac's Cathedral in St
petersburg is the most conspicuous object
IN the city. 1t is covered with copper over
laid with pure gold. no less than 10000
worth of gold being melted down for the
purpose Entering the cathedral by the
magnificent bronzed doors, forty-four feet
wide and thirty feet high, said to be the
largest In the world, the visitor Is over
whelmed by its richness and massive spIen-
dor. The dome of the shrine is supported
by eight Corfnthian pillars of malachite,
given by Prince Demidoff and valued at
t-peOo The total cost of this cathedral
Is estimated at E100OO 600
In the cathedral of the i1azan the name OF
the Almighty blazes in diamonds from a
cloud of beaten gold. under which are solid
silver doors twenty feet high leading to the
inner sanctuary. This church contains a
beautiful picture of the Virgin Mary COW
cred with gold and jewels valued at fl5.OOU.
In the monastery of st. Alexander Nevski
near the end of the Nevski prospect is the
shrine of the founder of pure silver, weigh
ing no less than $3.50 pounds
Many of the churches of Moscow-and
they number some 1,4OO-contain treasures
the Assumption. situated inside the Krem-
lin, Is the most sacred picture of Russia,
the Virgin OF Vladimir" painted by st.
Luke. The jewels which adorn It are val
to be worth 10000 Napoleon took from the
church five tons of silver and five hundred
weight of gold. but its most precious treas
ures were concealed previous to the French
invasion and afterward restored.
Near by, in the Cathedral of the An
nunciation. with its many golden domes.
are pavement of agate and jasper and
the celebrated icon Of the virgin of the
Don. its most priced possession.
The icon of the Iberian mother of God
has a small chapel to itself, just outside
the Kremlin The icon Is occasionally
taken out in a gorgeous carriage drawn By
six horses, with bareheaded attendants to
attend the sick or dying. The fees for such
visits amount to 10000.
The Cathedral of the Holy Savior In Mos
cow Is probably the most magnificent
church in the world. Its fine cupolas are
covered with pure gold one eighth inch in
thickness. Its internal decorations are mag
nificent and very costly. This church is the
nations thank Offering for the deiiyerance
of Moscow from the French. 1t took fifty
years to build and its cost has been esti-
mated at f1O.000,000.
The robes of the Russian clergy are the
richest in the world. In the house OF the
holy synod, inside the Kremin, may be seen
vestments of fabulous value. One is en-
bellished with the Nicene creed embroidered
In pearls. There are no fewer than seven
miters studded with diamonds, rubies and
emeralds: also golden croZiers OF rare
workmanship The boundless wealth. gorg-
eeus decorations and endless magnifcence
of the churches are in strange contrast to
the povertyrstricken. unkempt peasants
who throng the churches at all hours of the
day.