The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-12-29
WEALTH OF RUSSIAN CHURCH
CATHEDFALS HAVE GOLD ROOFS
AND COST MILLIONS TO
BUILD.


Petersburg-Name Of the Almighty
Blazes in Diamonds From a Cole
Cloud.
Several English newspaper CORES
pondents have it is said, recently
been inspecting the 1913 gold IN
COTS and 1880 sacks of gold com
representing some 65,O00,0O0 pounds
in hard cash, which are safely nous
ed in the Imperial Bank of Russia
and which form RuSsia's gold reserve,
but the fabulous wealth Of the Russian
churches may be inspected by the
ordinary tourists without consulting
finance ministers or uniformed Of
ficialS.
The dome of st. Isaac's Cathedral
in st. Petersburg is the most con-
spicuous object in the city. 1t is
covered with copper overlaid With
pure gold, nc less than 10000 pounds
worth of gold being melted down fcr
the purpose Entering tie catheura!
by the magnificent bronzed doors, Al
feet wide and 80 feet high, said to
be the largest in the world, the VS.
itor is overwhelmed by its richness
and massive splendor. The dome "i
the shrine is supported by eight Cor
inthian pillars Of malacLits, gwen by
Prince Demidoff and valued at 2uo.-
000 pounds. The total cost of THIS
cathedral is estimated at 10000
600 pounds.
In the cathedral Of the kazan the
name of the Almighty blaZes III dia-
monds from a cloud CT beaten gold,
under which are solid silver doors
90 feet high leading tc the inner sane
tuary. This church contains q bead
tiful picture OF the Virgin Mary coy.
cred with gold and Jewels valued al
Is 600 pounds. In the monastery CT
ST. Alexander Neyski. near the end o,
the Neyski Prospect, is the shrine O
the fomler, Of pure silver, weighing
no less than $3.50 pounds.
Many Of the churches of MEOW
and they number some 1,4o0-con-
tain treasures of enormous value. Ii
the Cathedral OF the Assumption, sitr-
ated inside the kremlin. is the .-9tt
sacred picture OF Russia, the ~ I'LL
gin OF Vladimir" painted Dy ST. Lake.
The jewels which adorn it are valued
at $4,000 pounds, enc emerald alone
being sal! to be worth 10000 pounds.
Napoleon took from the church five /
tons Of silver and i've iundrel-weight /
Of gold. But its most precious treas /
ures We're concealed previous to the |
French invasion and afterward re !
stored.
Near by, in the Cathedral of the
Annunciation, with its many golden
domes, are a pavement Of agate and
jasper and the celebrated icon OF
the virgin of the Don, it's 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 gorgeous
carriage drawn by six horses. with
bare-headed attendants, to attend the
sick or dying. The fees for such
visits amount to 10000 pounds.
The Cathedral of the Holy Savior
in Moscow is probably the most mag
nificent church in the world. Its fine
cupolas are covered with pure gold
one-eighth inch in thickness. Its
internal decorations are magnificent
and very costly. This church is the
nations thank offering for the de-
liverance of Moscow from the French.
It took so years to build and its cost
has been estimated at 100000
pounds.
The robes of the Russian clergy are
the richest in the world. In the
house Of the holy synod, inside the
Kremlin, may be seen .vestments Of
fabulous value. One is embellisheh
With the Nicene creed embroidered in
pearls. There are no fewer than sew
IN miters studded with diamOncs,
'ubies and emeralds; also golden
.roziers sof rare workmanship. The
wealth, gorgeous decora-
ions and endless magnificence of the
hurches are in strange contrast to
he poverty-stricken, unkempt peas
nts who throng the churches at all
ours Of the day.