Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-04-30
Drastic Reform Needed in
Some Russian Monastey1es

Y" IAlkCANs April lb.~-Mucn mas
N been written in Russia Of late
Wv about monastic life and the
abuses which have crept into
come of the monasteries and converts
Of the Greek church and the matter
has attracted so much attention that
the holy synod has been discussing the
urgent need Of instituting trenchant re-
forms After much hesitation il has
been decided to send circular appeal
To the monastic houses dotted all over
The empire begging the monks not 20
indulge in drinking vodka-Russia's
curse. one church dignitary from
Moscow, who was present at the ses-
sion and voted against the motion, re-
marked TO the assembly:
a don't know how you can he so
simple as TO believe that sending round
circulars will alter things i'm the least
or influence monks to leave of drinking
for one single moment. What we need
are sweeping reforms. The holy synod
can punish what we are pleased to cali
the heretical sects which are springing
up and gaining followers an over tho
country but they win continue to flour
ish unless we take stringent measures.
] have been monk and spent 20 years
in monastery So / know what / am
talking about"
These words. spoken by a man who
knows monastic life wen. have made a
deep Impression on thinking men and
women. anxious that the prestige and
Influence Of the Greek church should be
undated in Russia.
SOME INSTANCES.
Tolstol has written much about the
dgplorablc state into which many NJ
the clergy have sunk and although
There is no doubt that many Of these
monastcries are conducted in a perfect
F orderly manner others deserve tn,
'rnsuro which the holy synod is nov,
Passing ON them. Take. for instance.
.I' monastery of St Alexander. on
l.' AeNandriJski1 Lavra, as IL IS call
,I. this beautiful building Is I'm st
.teIsnurg' az the far end Of the New
.aL Prospect In September last the
,-".l was prosecuted publicly for IN
,Ie2ung Ivan Ivanovitch Davidon. q
Ib' ooN OF 10, whose parents had sent
yum 20 help I'm the kitchen The monks
,.'l Beaten the child tin his back and
HHnS were full Of sores Then one wet
"tnt they turned him out of the MON
1'leIy into the street. where he was
puma by a policeman preached to the
N.' terribly emaCiated and with "a
arm. The parents prosecuted
'l' Abbot who was nned-and publicly
t'prlmnnded hy the Judges for allow
.5 hia monks To treat "a child SO badly
%, 'l9e was reported In the ST. Peters
IAis newspapers with the result Chat
Ee'eIai PEOPLE wrote their experiences
or monastic life Some Of them were
aubthlng but odifying
one said that. beginning ne as a
s"ph clerk, me found the work too
''id and entered "a monastery IN Mos |
Wv tie had not the slightest inclina- !
Won towards religion and soon became |
'o bored that he began 10 leave the |
ondatery IN civil clothes spending tho |
"Eils ln a low restaurant whence h. |
.nl'd return early I'm the morning. Tho |
Nnnnt found IL out and put him into |
mailer cell by way ~ punishment. Tie /
.Ael MS account bv saving that. rs |
,' need only be In church during four
npurs a day and the food was god !
"' meant TO stay whore he was
TWO CLASSES.
The general opinion OF these places Is |
llat they are divided into two classes.
strict and "lax"
IN the strict houses said 81 priest 1
Hl 81 Is'ac's ln ST. Petersburg. "the |
monks ana nuns lead moderately bad |
HNes Those who lead VIGOROUSLY bad /
ones live IN the monasteries which arc |
fnoWn ms mot strict In most OF
them they eat meat. which Is quite |
against the rules of the church"
IN the early autumn there was a great /