Gilpin observer., 1916-04-20

N01HF ~ ZE ECRIzTzNoN"
OF the native Christians the Greeks predomi-
nate. but there has always been q very numerous
Armenian element In Constantinople. The mag
nifcent Grsek 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 imperia 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
through the unifying 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
ligion, but Bulgarian in speech and political aims
It has been temporarily weakened.
"Christos Anesti"-"Christ is risen"-is the
Easter cry In Constantnople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange OF the ira
ditonal kiss. "Paskalia Foulia"-"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 gilded
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys-plsced
on a gold foil.
The variety of types and costumes seen in this
throng where the West meets the East IN most
remarkable All the Christians Of the Levant ere
there; Bulgarians In embroidered Jackets;
Greeks from the mountains sporting the fustanel
In, the kilt which resembles q 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 10 by no means inconspicu
ous 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 JubaleeKspoosee past the Rose mosQue-Gul
Jamee-to the Christian quarter Of Imi-Kapoo
where he finds the festive 10y Of the Greek
Easter
The procession Of the Greek clergy-some of
them strikngly 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 b richly adorned with chiseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
litanies, prayers. responsories and benedictions
characteristic Of Greek ritual. the Easter gospel
IL read
This 10 done IN no less than six languages, and,
curiously enough. two of them are Monammedan,
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 10
being celebrated in a siche 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
Creek French and Italian II really understood
After the service the patriarch and his attendants
retire to the patriarchal palace where reception
II held.