The state herald., 1910-08-05
TOWER ar MN ~

the Poles. II is inclosed with fence
made OF the enemy's cannon and
chain. At the base a number of pill
grims were resting as they munched
at some black bread, while others
were drinking from a sacred fountain.
first throwing into the basin an Of
fering Of kopecks.
Two miles from Troitsa is another
monastery OF men. the Tscherainoff.
II is situated beautifully and is quite
modern, having been built within the
last so years. The monks own the
land for miles around. hence there Is
no village nearer than Troitsa. The
carriage road led through fragrant
pine and in every direction turned
natures temple. This monastery has
two sections separated by pretty in.
land lake Only one is opened to the
public and from the second. women
are excluded.
Converts for women, II less numer-
GUS and less wealthy than those for
men, are still vastly interesting from
their Intimate connection with the
country's history Moscow has several,
the most celebrated being the Novo.
Dievichi. Helen, the maid" was its
first abbess. The convent lies on the
outskirts Of the city where the Mosk-
wa curves around at the foot OF the
Sparrow Hills. Its ancient site was
called the Maidens' Field, where ira
dition locates the market place at
which the Tartars In olden times
bought the pretty. fair faced Musco-
vite girls for the Mohammedan harems
at Constantlnople and lspahan. One
sunny afternoon. found myself at
the gates OF the Maidens' convent,
Novo Dieyichi. Two hospitable nuns
invited me within their simple. but
clean apartments. brought out steam.
Jam and bade me rest and refresh my
self. Afterwards they showed me
their retreat
Russian nuns wear an all-black cos
tune. not vestige OF white is visible
Their time Is employed In doing
needlework for the church and out
side patrons Community riile Is not
rigorous nor secluded ms that oh.
served by the sisterhood OF the Cath.
Ollie church.
II was at the Maidens' convent Peter
the Great imprisoned his half.sistcr,
Sophia, compelling her TO take the
veil under the name OF Suzanne A
regiment of the Strelltsi. who had re.
mained faithful to Sophia. Peter put to
death. and had their heads hung on
pixies outside of the Imprisoned won.
ans window. The Strelitsi was an or.
ganizution OF fighters formed under
Ivan the Terrible and later they grew
into m hereditary militia They
fought for Moscow when called upon.
and In return were exempted from
taxation and permitted TO trade. keep
shops and mills and ply various hhndi
crafts
A We were strolling about the ga
dons ! was continually hearing n clock
striking. Then the gentle nun told
how Peter, To annoy Sophia. as also
to show her how time was passing
and her chances TO the throne be.
comlng no nearer. built the bcll.towor
In which he placed clock that would
sound q gong every minute. on their
way 10 Moscow the French army halt
cd at iho conyontfortrcss. Napoleon
forbade amy injury done II whll. the
king Of Naples ordered divine service
to be celebrated daily. M usual hut
later. after the French was ngnln
quart,red thoro md on leaving. they
cndehynrod 20 blow up the bclfry
whore The stores we're held. Tho
heroic nuns interrupted the fired train
and succeeded IN saving the convent.
ELIZABETH ANGELA HENRY.