The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-04-21

aozyZE ~ NzE GIU1ZT2NoU@
OF the native Christians the Greeks predoml-
nate but there has always been very numerous
Armenian element In Constantinople The mag
nificent Greek orthodox ceremonial wen rehects
the towering strength Of that church IN tne
Leyant which for centuries, under the absolute
rule OF the Ottoman sultans, acted In the capacity
of imperial overseer of the Christian people UNI
der Turkish sway. Until the comparatively recent
rise OF the Balkan nationalities Roumanian'
Seryian, Bulgarian, Montenegrin-Greek was the
language of ali cultured people of orthodox faith
outside OF Russia and AustriaHungary. Ana
Greek intellectual, social and political controi
through the unifying power OF the Greek cnurcn
was more complete under Ottoman rule tnan u
had been under the Byzantine emperors
Recent events have once more shown the Iorce
Of the people OF Greek speech Through the
breaking away OF the Bulgarian church ana tne
erection of a Bulgarian exarchate, Greek IN TO
igion but Bulgarian in speech and political AIMS
It has been temporarily weakened
aChristos Anesti"-"Christ is risen'-is the
Easter cry in Ccnstantinople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange OF the ira
ditional kiss. "Paskalia Foulia flowers OF
Easter time"-are sold everywhere to the festive
throng IN the narrow streets In the butcher
shous YOU see the passover lambs with gflded
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys placed
on gold foil
The variety of types and costumes seen IN THIS
throng where the West meets the East Is most
remarkable. All the Christianc OF the Levant are
there: Bulgarians In embroidered Jackets
Greeks from the mountains sporting the fustanei-
Il the kilt which resembles dancers skirt;
hurry men from the Adriatic, Leyantines. Arme-
mans; ladies' in the latest Paris fashions. genuine
and otherwise, and. Of course. host OF French.
Germans. Italians. Austrians. Russians. Enghsn
and Americans.
The Mohammedan Is by no means inconspica'
ous. whether he be Turk, Arab In flowing robes
persian merchant. Albanian soldier. Kurdish
hamal IN his Sunday dress or even negro women
n yellow dress. The westerner wends his way
from Pera across the bridge through the suburbs
of Jubalee Kepoosee. past the Rose mosQue-Gn
Jamee-to the Christian quarter OF lmi-kapoo
where he finds the festive Joy OF the Gres'
Easter
The PROCESSION Of the Greek clergy-scme o
- them strikingly handsome men with their iont
beards and blue eyes-starts from the patriarcna
palace and proceeds past the Turkish guards wh'
keen the crowd In check. to the Greek cnuren
Though small II is richly adorned with eniseie'
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles Aner ionl
litanles, prayers. Responsiveness ana Deneoicuon
Characteristic Of Greek ritual. the Easter gosps
is read.
This "a done in no less than six languages, and
cur,ousIv enough. two Of them are Mohammedar
Arabic and Persian The others are French an
italian Albanian and Greek. The Greek Is reat
or. rather. sung, with peculiar intonation By n
deacon, and the others are read by special reat
ers IN Characteristic garb. Meanwhile mass
being celebrated in a niche Of the altar, whef
the patriarch blesses the Easter offerings
The faithful IN their festive mood are quii
free IN their behavior and remarks IS they liste
10 the readings In six languages. Of which on
Greek. French and Italian II really understood
After the service the patriarch and bis attendAn
retire to the patTtarchal palace. where reespts
q held