The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-08-31
WEALTH OF RUSSIAN CHURCH..
Cathedra1s Have Gold Roofs and Cost
Millions to Build.

Millions to Build.
Several English newspaper CORE
spondents have, 1t Is said, recently
been inspecting the 1913 gold inSots
and 1850 sacks of gold coin, repre-
senting some f65 OOO,OOO in hard cash.
which are safely housed in the Impe-
rial Bank Of Russia and which form
Russia's gold reserve, but the fabulous
wealth of the Russian churches may
be inspected by the ordinary tourist
without consulting finance ministers or
uniformed officials.
The dome of st. Isaac's Cathedral
in st. Petersburg Is the most consplcu-
Gus object in the city. 1t is covered
with copper overlaid with pure gold,
no less than $4,000 worth of gold be-
ing melted down for the purpose. En-
tering 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
splendor. The dome of the shrine is
supported by eight CorInthian pillars
of malachite, given by Prince Demi-
doff, and valued at 100000. The total
cost of this cathedral is estimated at
f1O,OOO,00O.
In the Cathedral of the Kazan the
name of the Almighty blazes in dia-
monds 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
covered with gold and Jewels valued
at $4,000. In the monastery of st.
Alexander Nevski, near the end Of the
Nevski prospect, is the shrine of the
founder, of pure silver, weighing no
less than $3.50 pounds.
Many of the churches of Moscow
and they number some 1,400-contain
treasures of enormous value. In the
Cathedral of the Assumption, situated
inside the Kremfn. is the most sacred
picture Of Russia. the Virgin of Vlad-
imir," painted by st. Luke. The jewels
which adorn It are valued at $4,000,
one emerald alone being said to be
worth 10000. Napoleon took from the
church five tons Of silver and five hun
dredweight of gold, but its most pre-
cious treasures were concealed previ-
Gus to the French invasion and after
ward 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 tine
virgin of the Don, its most priced pos
session.
The icon of the Iberian mother of
God has a small chapel to itself. just
outside the Kremlin. The icon is oc-
casionally taken out in a gorgeous car
riage drawn by six horses, with bare
headed attendants, to attend the sick
or dying. The fees for such visits
amount to 10000.
The Cathedral of the Holy Savior in
Moscow is probably the most magnifi-
cent church in the world. Its fine
cupOlas are covered with pure gold
one-eighth inch in thickness. It's inter-
nal decorations are magnificent and
very COStly. Is lHe
tion's thank offering for the deliver
ance of Moscow from the French. 1t
took fifty years to build, and its cost
has been estimated at f10,OOO,0O0.
The robes of the Russian clergy are
the richest in the world. In the house
of the holy synod, inside the Krelnlin,
may be seen vestments OF fabulous
value One is embellished with the
Nicene creed embroidereu in pearls.
There are no fewer than seven miters
studded with diamonds, rubies and EN-
eralds; also golden croziers of rare
workmanship. The boundless wealth,
gorgeous decorations and endless mag
nificence of the churches are in strange
contrast to the poverty I'M
kempt peasants who throng the
churches at all hours of the day.-Tit-
Bit.