The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-04-21

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OF tne native Christians the Greeks predomi.
nate. bun there has always been q very numerous
Armenian element in Constantinope. The mag
nihcent Gfsek orthodox ceremonial we'll reflects
the towering strength OF that church in the
Levant. which for centuries under the absolute
rule Of the Ottoman sultans. acted in the capacity
OF imperial overseer of the Christian people IN
der Turkish sway. Until the comparatively recent
rise of the Balkan Observation-Disclosures.
Servian, Bulgarian. Montenegrin-Greek was the
language of all cultured people OF orthodox faith
outside of Russia and Austria Hungary. And
Greek Intellectual social and political control
through the unfying power of the Greek church
was more complete under Ottoman rule than It
had been under the Byzantine emperors
Recent events have once more shown the force
OF the people of Greek speech. Through the
breaking away OF the Bulgarian church and the
erection of a Bulgarian exarchate. Greek in re-
ligion. but Bulgarian in speech and political aims.
IT has been temporarily weakened.
"Christos Anesti"-"Chrst is risen"-is the
Easter cry In Constantinople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange OF the ira
ditional kiss "Paskalia Foulia"-"nowers of
Easter time"-are sold everywhere to the festive
throng In the narrow streets In the butcher
shops you the passover lambs with glded
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys-plsced
a gold foil
The variety of types and costumes seen in this
throns where the West meets the East IL most
remarkable. All the Christians of the Levant are
there; Bulgarians in embroidered Jackets:
Greeks from the mountains sporting the fustaAsl-
Ia the kilt which resembles dancers skirt
burly men from the Adriatic, Levantines. Arme-
mans: ladies in the latest Paris fashions. genuine
and otherwise and. OF course. host OF French.
Germans, Italians, Austrians. Russians. English
and Americans.
The Mohammedan is by no means inconspicu-
GUS whether he be Turk, Arab in flowing robes,
Persian merchant. Albanian soldier. Kurdish
hamal in his Sunday dress or even negro women
in yellow dyess. The westerner wends his way
from Pera across the bridge through the suburbs
of Jubalee-K%poosee. past the Rose mosque-0ul
Jamee-to tie Christian quarter Of Imi-Kapoo.
where he finds the festive Joy OF the Greek
Easter.
The procession of the Greek clergy-some of
them strikingly handsome men with their long
boards and blue eyes-starts from the patrtarchal
palace and proceeds past the Turkish guards. who
keep the crowd In check. to the Greek church.
Though small. It - richly adorned with chiseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
lranies prayers. responsories and benedictiona
Characteristic Of Greek ritual. the Easter gospel
is read.
This 10 done in no less than six languages. and
curiously enough. two Of them are Moaammedan
Arabic and Persian. The others French and
Italian Albanian and Greek. The Greek Is read
or rather sung. with q peculiar information by the
deacon and the others are read by special read
ers in Characteristic garb. Meanwhile mass ID
being celebrated in Hiche Of the altar. where
the patriarch blesses the Easter offerings.
The faithful in their festive mood are quite
free in their behavior and remarks as they listen
to the readings in six languages. of which only
Greek, French and Italian 10 really understood
After the service the patriarch and his attendant
retire to the patriarchal palace, where receptioa
IL held.