New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

through the wounds as the nails enter the hands
and feet of the image. Cries and sroans arise
from the now hysterical SPECTATORS at the sight
Another altar near by denotes the exact Ioca-
ton where the cross was planted on Calvary.
The monks ROW bring the image 20 this spot
Through a hole IN the marble floor they Ies
down the foot Of the cross with the bleeding
figure upon IT. They pass it down through tha
aperture till it enters a cavity in the natural
rock This. the monks say. is the very hole in
which the original cross of Christ stood.
Then began the sO-caIIed Passion sermons de-
livered by monks in French and German. With
hands outstretched toward the bleeding dgurs
hanging on the cross. with its gaping wounded
side. the speakers beseech the Christ to have
mercy them a deep silence ensues, which IS
broken by sObs from the hearts of the kaeelius
wOrshippers and g-oaus of sorrow from pill
grins crouched on the floor in deep humility.
kissing the marble slabs ana moistening them
with their tears.
Even the uninpressionabIe heart of ths
amusement seeking tourist is moved at this
sight. which means so much to these thousands
of pilgrims from all parts of the world
The Governor of Jerusalem and squad OF
Turkish soldiers seem 10 be takilg their part
in the drama. though they are present solely TO
guard the worshippers from the tnterferencs
and animCsity OF other Christian sects during
looks OF derlStOn TO be perSonlty1nS the Roman
soldiers and the part they took in the real cru
cifiXiOn of Christ
After the body has remained for some tirns
on the cross, two Franciscan monks. imperson-
aJnS Joseph of Arimathea and NlcOdemus. the
two wealthy but secret followers of Christ. al D
preach the foot of the cross and take the image
down. one of them holds pair of Ions pincer5
in his hand With these he slowly Lifts ths
crown of thOrns from the bruised head He
waves it around dramatically with a mournfuI
air Then, kissing il, he lays it down ON ii table
before him. Raising the pinCerS again. solemnly
he draws out the long spikes rfon the haCaS
and feet of the bleeding figure. RE kisses these
also, and then lays them down ON the table.
with quiverinS lips and tears gliStening in his
eyes
Removing the body TO a table near by ths
monks carefully wrap il in the linen shroud.
monks. il is sOlemnly borne down the stairs from
Calvary TO the Stone of UnctiOn- Here they lay
and anCint il with sweet smelling spices. thus
preparing the body for burial hymn is sung
during this part or the ceremony, As soon as
the image IS deposited on the marble s!ao crOWcS
of pilgrims come in hle and prostrate themselves
before it in the posture OF deepest humility
They kiss the image tenderly and ador1ngly.
bowing 50 low that they touch the dusty pave
ment with their foreheads. and some even kiss
all around the spot where the body lies Their
tears flow COpiOusly while they mutter low
prayers and utter loud Sroans while crossing
themselves over and over again.
The paIlbearers then take Up the image and
carry II away. The mourners follow, groariCs
more than before. The pallbearers stoop before
the low doorway into the Holy Sepulchre With
IN IT, before a marble slab, covering the grave
where the body Of Christ lay FOR three DAYS.
they now lay down their burden. As the bearers
OF the image disappear from The view or the
worshippeTs silence as or desO!atiOn follows.
The monks return quietly. Then the archbishop
enters the sepulchre. lie remains few
Inents during which time the same intense
silence relgns throughout the edifCe while the
worshippers await his temperance. lie re-
turns and locks the door Os the sepUChre. Then
the chanting Tecommences The incense is
waited about. The procession moves ON 10 the
Chapel OF the ApparttiOR. whence IL started. Tha
deeply moved wOTshippers seem for the tima
being TO be the broken hearted ones of ancient
Jerusalem returning home after having seen
their Lord crucitied and buried, not vet kaowina
that He would rise again. The image of tia
crUcifed Christ Is LETT in this chapel OF the Holy
until Easter morning. when the cere-
mOny OF the Resurrection Is performed.