The Elbert County tribune., 1916-04-21

Or the native CHRISTIANS the Greeks predomt
nate but there has always been a very numerous
Armenian element in Constantnople The mag
nihcent Greek orthodox ceremonial well 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 un
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 unifying power of the Greek church
was more complete under Ottoman rule than 1t
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 Bulgarian exarchate. Greek in re-
ligion. but Bulgarian in speech and political aims
1t has been temporarily weakened
"Chrstos Anesti"-"Christ is risen"-is the
Easter cry in Constantinople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange of the ira
ditfonal kiss "Paskalia Foulia"-"howers of
Easter time"-are sold everywhere to the festive
throng in the narrow streets. In the butcher
shops you the passover lambs with Gilded
feet and the choice pieces-the kdneys-placed
gold foil.
The variety of types and costumes seen in this
throng where the West meets the East is most
remarkable All the Christians of the Levant are
there Bugarians in embroidered jackets;
Greeks from the mountains. sporting the fustanel-
la. the kilt which resembles a dancers skirt:
burly men from the Adratc. Levantines Arme-
Mans ladies' in the latest Paris fashions. genuine
and otherwise, and of course, a host of French.
Germans Italians Austrans. Russians. English
and Americans.
The Mohammedan is by means inconspicu-
GUS. whether he be Turk. Arab in flowing robes,
Persian merchant, Albanian soldier. Kurdish
hama in his Sunday dress even negro women
in yellow dress. The westerner wends his way
from Pera across the bridge through the suburbs
of Jubalee- Kepoosee. past the Rose mosque-Gul
Jamee-to the Christian quarter of Imi-Kapoo.
where he finds the festive Joy OF the Greek
Easter
The procession of the Greek clergy-some of
them strikingy handsome men with their long
boards and blue eyes-starts from the patriarchal
palace and proceeds past the Turkish guards. who
keep the crowd in check to the Greek church.
Though small. it is richly adorned with chiseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles After long
litanes prayers, responsories and benedctions
characteristic Of Greek ritual. the Easter gospel
is read
This is done in no less than six languages. and.
curiousy enough. two of them Mohammedan.
Arabic and Persian. The others French and
Italian Albanian and Greek. The Greek is read,
or rather. sung, with peculiar intonation by the
deacon. and the others read by special read
ers in characteristic garb. Meanwhile mass 10
being celebrated in niche of the altar. where
the patriarch besses the Easter offerings.
The faithful in their festive mood quite
free in their behavior and remarks they listen
to the readings in six languages. of which only
Greek French and Italian s really understood.
After the service the patriarch and his attendants
retire to the patrarchal palace. where a reception
Is held