The Monticellonian., 1916-04-20


charm of its cosmopolitanism, and even the
Mohammedans have their Easter pilgrimage to
the grave of Moses.
The throng of Easter pilgrims from the whole
christian world is very remarkable sight To
the westerner it is revelation of oriental Chris
tianity in all It's picturesque devotion Greeks,
from all over the Levant Armenians from Tur-
key, Persia and the Caucasus HISTORIANS from
Mesopotamia and Persia; Syrans from Aieppo,
Damascus and Beyrout; Abyssinians from the
hermit land of northeast Africa Copts from
Egypt, and men from the ancient churches of
southern India, and, above all. Russians who now
adays form by far the largest contingent OF pill
grims-all these races mingle with Latns from
western Europe. with Germans. English. Ameri-
cans Scandinavans
In the midst of ALL and presenting an indi-
viduality perhaps more distinct than all the 9th
ers. you the Mohammedan master of the land
the Arab In his solemn garb and majestic bear
ing and the Turkish official and soldier naughty
in the exercise of his duty to keep the Christian
pilgrims in check and to preserve order
Elaborate professions and ceremonials make
holy week In Jerusalem gorgeous event, where
the intimate note of the resurrection is not con-
spicuous. Especially does 1t bring out the diyi-
sion of Chrstendom, strkngly shown in the
way in which Latins, Greeks, Armenans and
Copts share the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Particularly at Easter the marvellous services of
the Greek orthodox church convey the priority of
this church in the Holy Land. And of these cere-
monies. none, perhaps, is more impressive than
that of the washing of feet the Thursday be-
fore Easter
On that day platform is erected In the court
of the church. which is occupied by the Greek
bishop of Jerusalem and IL high church digni-
taries Court, stairs, inches and every corner is
crowded by the faithful to witness the enact
ment of the scene when Jesus washed the feet
of his disciples The parts of Jesus John. Peter
and Judas each given to an ecclesiastic,
and are read with fine simplicity, though the
story is told with certain freedom from gospel
text.
At the end the patriarch washes the feet of
the IL clerics, and, repeating Jesus words, Let
go. for he that will betray me is Nigh, gives
the signal to arise, and they all withdraw to the
church Then olive branch, hanging over the
chancel of the platform, is pulled up TO the roof
of the church amid shouts of JOY.
Next day, Good Friday, all the lights in the
Holy Sepulcher church are extnguished. This is
symbolical of the agony and death of our Lord
and of his descent to hell when the light OF the
world was taken away for a brief space. Then.
on Saturday, the lights rekindled-by super
natural agency. the tradition goes. AS the
church dignitaries pray in the chapel of the
sepucher, dIaped in deep mourning the stone
gathers peculiar moisture which rises
Dor and. suddenly bursting into divine flame,
kindles the lights. 1t is the custom of the people
to light candles from one another. and the faith
full believe that the first of these candles is kin
died from that supernatural fire.
The dawn of Easter Sunday is celebrated by
magnificent procession which enacts, In impress
sively dramatic fashion, the events of the resur-
rection MORN when the women found the grave
open and empty. Then the Easter greeting re-
sounds, Christ is risen!" and the response He
is truly riseni" The Greek mass, celebrated by
40 priests ends the ceremony.
Although the Easter of the orthodox church