The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-07
RUSSIANS WILL OBSERVE CHRISTMAS TO-DAY, BREAK ING 24-HOUR FEAST.

Tn Russia, Greece and other coun- tries where the Greek Catholic church Is the state religion, Christmas will be celebrated to-day. For the millions of Russian Christians the morning of the Day of Nativity ends a twenty four hour fast. On the morning of subjects Of the Czar begin a strict fast. No food passes their lips, and even water is denied to all but the sick and infirm. This day of abstin- ence follows partial fast of three weeks. during which period flesh food and a1Irich victuals are under the ban and only the plafnest fare may be par taken of.
 Christmas Day for the Russians be- gins with an early morning mass and the ringing of the bells of all the churches Tn the land of the Great White Czar the Day of Nativity is a sacred occasion, and a solemn hush broods over the land. broken only by the pealing of the bells. There are no noisy Merry Christmas greet ings, no hilarity of any kind. The morning services last about two hours, after which: the worshippers quietly return to their homes to break their fast. It is happy family that can have a. priest to partake of the meal. which consists solely of grits prepar- ed with honey and raisins. The day is spent quietly. and in the evening the church bells again call the faith ful to mass The service continues throughout the night, and in the more important churches the program is very impressive. The story of the birth of Jesus is enacted in form most dramatic. The long-bearded priest, clad in rich velvet, with a. high head-dress, and a large golden cross l in his hands, is an imposing figure The chorus is composed of lads clad in white robes. Hundreds of candles and the red glow of incense, dimly H. illuminate the wa1ls,s decorated in sill yer and gold, the jewe1ed figures of the Christ, Mary and St Nicholas and other saints, and the towering and
 magnificent altar.
 Such is Christmas in Russia. But the festival does not end with Christ
 mas Day. Tomorrow, after mass, the Russians will be free to indulge their festive desires. Sleighing par ties are most popular among the young people, while the elder Rus sians pay and receive Christmas calls
 Banquets innumerab1e. breakfasts
 suppers and tea parties, are held dur 1 ing the day There are balls in the
 evening, and masquerade parties. The  querading, and, dressing themselves
 in grotesque costumes, go from house
 to house, singing, dancing, telling for tunes, and performing various anus l ing antics. The wealthier people al ways bestow aims on the peasant
 bands, and provide for them a repas'
 of vodka. tea, cakes and more vodka
 By evening the peasant entertainers
 are comfortably drunk.
 Csaristn1as in Russia continues fol :! a week, and during that period busi- ness i5 generally suspended, while the
 whole people give themselves over tc i religiors rites and later to merry
 making.
 Christ r71as will also be observed to-
 day in Greece and the Balkan States
 In Greece Christmas will be ceIebrat-
 ed by housands of newlyweds, for the Sunday preceding Christmas is the day of days for committing matri- Emony." Most matches are arranged by the parents of the contracting pair and love marriages are the exception
 rather than the rule. Girls must mar
 ry in the order of seniority, and it is considered a scandal when a Greek girl marries while she has an elder
 sister still unwed.
 AcAlNcT ADppapDlATgnn