Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

ST PETERSBURG. March ID. 1:p-.
decree of the government the
performance of melodrama
called THE Black Ravens has
IL been forbidden in the provincial
towns of Russia. On the face of
il there would seem 10 be little interest in
this announcement. But behind il there
lies story which sheds an illuminating
light on the benighted condition of the
1eeming millions of the Colossus of the
North 1t is d story of the evil which a
naturally good and pious man may do
when hts piety is allied with fanaticism;
of the degradation which superstition
may produce when it assumes the mask
of religion among an illiterate populace.
The play exposes the revolving practices
and debasing doctrines of d sect known
as the "Johannites." which,. in no other
land but Russia could have attracted
such a vast number of adherents. because
in no other land exist the depth of ig-
norance essential to its growth. In ST.
Petersburg. which. compared with the
rest of Russia, is a veritable center of
light and learning, the play for three
months and drew large and enthusiastic
audiences. But when il was produced in
the provinces, where superstition is ram
pant and ignorance the common lot Ii
aroused the fury of the 'Jollannites" to
such an extent that riots resulted and in
the interests OF peace and order the gov
eminent prohibited il.
The "JohanniteS derive their name
from the man of whom they profess to be
devout followers-Father John of Cron-
stadt. Some consideration should. there
fore. first be given to the man to whom
the sect ewes its origin.
John of Cronst&dt is as we'll known
throughout Russia is John d. Rookie
Teller throughout the length and breadth
of AWE .t...a IL
OF saint without dying and the fame of
prophet without having foretold any
thing that came true. But many people
believe in him and all he has to do is 10
open ms mouth for them to listen in adj
mirinG silence. His fame began during
the reign of Alexander III. the late ear
lie is not monk-or anything like it, He
belongs TO what is called the White
Priesthood that is. to those who be-
come pops" or priests without giving tp
the right TO marry. and live like other
people. But Father John did not take
unto himself 81 wife. He lived in a very
humble way In the fortress of Cronstadt
which Is more less a fortified suburb
of ST. Petersburg, and gave himself up
10 good works.
Now. when pop gives himself up to
good works people soon begin to notice
u. because ii is such d rarity The aver
arge pop is shade blackcr than Toll
stoi printed him in Resurrection" He is
ignorant. srasping and indifferent To the
religion he processes. He will not so To
dying man unless lie is paid in bribes
or ready money. He has great predilec-
ton for vodka and dislike for work He
EFFORTS the tithes the synod allots him
with mercilessness which would shame
Cossack. He charges high prices Tor
pardons. holy candles and ahsolutions.
But John of cronstadt was a pop Of
different type. He used To go about
begging for money. which he gave to the
sick and needy. lie spent his spare time
alone and in contemplation Alexander
III was superstitious man. Like all
Russians he believed firmly in signs.
presentiments and proguostics. Father
John was wont to consult the Scriptures
and prOpheSy or advise therefrOm From
time TO time. summoned to the imperial
palace at times of difficulty. ne would tell
the results of his meditation and give
advice I'm grave affairs of state. The
car. anxious to have such n seer always
al hand, made offers which would have
tempted ninety-nine men out of hundred
TO leave Cronstadt for the Winter Pal
ace. But Father John refused. saying
he had other work TO do and could serve
his imperial master far better without
the palace than within. Alexander III
gave him large presents of money, which
were divided among the poor. People
about the court began 10 talk about him
when they went to their country resi-
dences in the summer, Rich merchants
from Moscow and Odessa sent him money
for his poor folk" as he called the needy
OF Russia and he again sent delegates
all over the empire To distribute these
aims.
For years his house III CronStadt was
a strange mixture being AT once the
refuge OF the destitute and the rcp0Si
tory of sacks full of money. lie never