The Washington herald., 1909-04-10
Millions Bow in VeneratiOn
Throughout the World.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES HELD
Solemn Feast COmmemOrated in
Churches Of the CaDitaI-Tbe Three
Hours Agony of Christ Observed
by Catholics and EpiscOpaIians
with Special Ceremonies.


Silent belfries and the sombre aspect OF
the interior OF the churches told OF Good
Friday.
In this city churches Of every denomi-
nation united in commemorating the SOL
emn feast and refreshing in the minds
OF all people the events pertaining TO
the most noted tragedy IN the worlds
history. In the Catholic and Episcopal
congregations the three hours agony
was observed with special services from
noon until o'clock
The sadness OF the occasion was en-
kindled in the hearts Of all by the desc
late appearance OF the sanctuaries and
the simple impressive ceremonies en-
acted TO depict the agony OF Christ that
ended with the sacrifice on Calvary.
In the Catholic calendar Good Friday
is the only day In the year when there
is no celebration Of the mass. No candles
were lighted on the affairs; no flowers
adorned the chancel: the door Of the tab
ernacle was open. and no altar cloths
covered the stone. Purple draperies COW
cred the statues and paintings, the organ
was silenced. and even the light which
burns perpetually in front OF the host
was extinguished.
EpISeOpaIians Observe Day.
Services almost similar were conducted
IN the Episcopal churches. and Bishop
Harding offieiated at three separate cele-
brations. In the morning he chanted the
special service in his chapel at the dio-
cesan residence. He was the celebrant at
the three hours service from noon until
- In Fo r,F
Last evening he of1ciated and preached
in the Emmanuel Church, Anacostia.
Unique ceremonies were held in the or
thodox church Of St. Sophia. Sixth and c
streets northwest, throughout the day,
and Rev. L. Alexander Opolous. the priest
of the church, closed the services last
evening by singing the passion in twelve
parts.
In the majority Of the other denomina-
tiOnal churches the Good Friday ser
vices were conducted last evening
What has been termed the feature Of
the Lenten programme in St AloysiCs
Church began al noon. at which hour. ac-
cOrding 20 history. Christ was nailed TO
the cross. This service consisted in the
singing OF the Seven Last Words" a
lengthy composition. and the series OF
brief sermons on the passion and death
Of the Saviour.
The principal sermon was preached by
Rev owen J. Hill. 5. J.. Of Holy Cross
College, Worcester. Mass. The vested
choir Of male voices was augmented for
the oratorio by William Clabaugh. bass,
and Thomas Evans Greene, tenor.
Impressive Services Held.
Unusually impressive were the services
held in St Patrick's. both at the morning
and evening exercises. Especially au-
spicious was the ceremony attendant 70
the unveiling OF the new crucifx donated
10 the parish. Rev. DR.. William T. Rus
sell preached at this ceremony, and Incl
dentally spoke Of the remonstrance made
by Christ TO the people for their persecu-
tion Of Him. following His delivery by
Plate
For the last time during Holy Week
the tenebrae was chanted in the Catho-
lie churches last evening. and the solemn
music arranged to express the pathos of
Christ's last hours on earth was we'll
sung by the various choirs
The sermons in the Catholic churches
of Washington were given last evening
by visiting priests. as follows:
Shrine Of the Sached Heart, Fourteenth
and Monroe streets. Rev. Joseph McGee,
pastor; Immaculate Conception. Eighth
and y streets. Rev. Father Beavans; St
Joseph's Church. Second and c streets
northwest. Rev. Robert E Froelich, of
the Catholic University; St Martin S,
North Capitol and Z streets. Rev. A. P.
Doyle. rector Of the Apostolic Mission
House; Church Of the Nativity, Bright
wood Father Munday. OF the Catholic
University; ST. AlOysiUs' Church. North
Capitol and I streets, the devotions of
the three hours were begun at noon ser
mon by the Rev. owen A Hill. s. J., Of.
Worcester. Mass; tenebrae and sermon
at 7:30 o'clock in the evening, Rev. VIII
liam F. Cannon, s. J.; Church Of the Holy
Name. Eleventh and II streets northeast.
sermon by one OF the Dominican fathers
from the College Of the Immaculate Con-
ception Trinity Catholic Church. George
town. tenebrae. s o'clock. sermon by Rev.
Mark J. McNeal of woodstock College;
St Paurs. Fifteenth and Y streets north
west, tenebrae and sermon by Rev. John
Harvey, c. 6 P.
ST. PauIs Choir Sings.
The singing Of Stainer's "Crucifxion"
by the male choir Of St Pauls Church.
in Twenty-third street northwest. made
the service In that edfce notable This
choir was the one chosen by the late
Bishop Saterlee 10 serve al all important
functions during his service.
IN HamIine Methodist Episcopal Church
last evening Christ's agony arrest. trial
suffering. and death were told in appro-
pirate music. The discourses. prayers.
and responses were sung by the Hamline
Club choir and an auxiliary chorus. Rev.
Charles E Guthrie oficiated.
Rev. James G. Butler. assisted by Rev
Charles Butler. conducted the Good Fri
. day ceremonies in the Luther Place
Memorial Church.
Vastly different from the solemn serv-
ices that have been held in the Catholic
churches during Lent and especially
during the present week, are the exer-
cises 10 be conducted to-day They in
clude the blessing Of the new fire. bless
ing Of the triangular candle. blessing OF
the Psschal candle, blessing OF the
water. and the mass of the day.
In these ceremonies the church wears
purple. the color Of mourning; the joys
OF resurrection have not yet been expert
enced. However. the church is not, as
fl was yesterday Good Friday, draped
IN black. For the blessing OF the fire.
the clergy go outside the church. follow
ing the steps of the holy women VINO
had TO 90 outside of Jerusalem to find the
sepulcher. The celebrant, taking a stone
strikes from It a new fire. The stone Is
an emblem OF Christ He became by His
resurrection the sacred fire which en-
iightens and warns the world
Blessed with New Fire.
The grains OF incense blessed with the
new fire recall the aromatic herbs
brought TO the sepulcher by Mary Mag
delen.
' Altar blessing the navv 6ra tbo .1o-o-.