The Raymer enterprise., 1916-04-20

RoLIzT ~ mr. nUCHZaoWo
vi the native Christians the Greeks predomi
nate. but there has always been a very numerous
Armenian element in Constantinople. 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 nationalities -Roumanian.
Servian Bulgarian. Montenegrin-Gree 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 II
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,
1t has been temporarily weakened.
"Chrstos Anesti"-"christ is risen"-s the
Easter cry in constantinople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange Of the ira
ditional kiss "Paskalia Foula"-"fowers Of
Easter time"-are sold everywhere to the festive
throng in the narrow streets. In the butcher
shops you see the passover lambs with gided
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys-placed
a 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 Leyant are
there; Bugarians In embroidered jackets,
Greeks from the mountains, sporting the fustanel-
la, the kilt which resembles a dancers skirt;
burly meI from the Adratic 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 nconspicu-
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 dress, The westerner wends his way
from Pera across the bridge through the suburbs
OF Jubalee-K -Kepoosee. past the Rose mosque-Gul
Jamee-to the Christian quarter Of lmi.Kapoo.
where lie 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 patriarchal
palace and proceeds past the Turkish guards. who
keep the crowd in check. to the Greek church.
Though small II is richly adorned with chseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
ltanies. prayers, responsories and benedictiona
characteristic of Greek ritual. the Easter gospel
is read
This is done in no less than six languages. and
curously enough, two Of them are Mohammedan
Arabic and Persian. The others are French and
Italian Albanian and Greek. The Greek is read
or. rather, sung. with peculiar ntonation by the
deacon. and the others are read by special read
ers in characteristic garb. Meanwhile mass ID
being celebrated In niche of the altar where
the patriarch blesses the Easter offerings.
ha fai in fest mn ~
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 attendanti
retire to the patrarchal palace where = reception
In held