The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-04-21

IOZIZF ~ ZZE CHUCLFZNON
X.~ OF the native Christians the Greeks predomt
nate, but there has always been a~very numerous
Armenian element in Constantinople. The mag
nifcent Greek orthodox ceremonial well reflects
the towering strength of that church In the
Levant, which for centuries under the absolute
rule of the Ottoman sutans, 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 AustriaHungary. And
Greek intellectual, social and political control
through the unifying power of the Greek church
was more complete under Ottoman rule than IL
had been under the Byzantine emperors.
Recent events have 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
IL has been temporarily weakened.
"Christos Anesti"-"Chrst is risen'-is the
Easter cry in Constantinople that you hear on
all sides accompanied by the exchange of the ira
ditional kiss "Paskalia Foulia"-"howers or
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 kldneys-paced
gold foil.
The variety of types and costumes seen in this
throng where the West meets the East Is most
there Bulgarians in embroidered Jackets;
Greeks from the mountains, sporting the fustane
la the kilt which resembles 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 is by 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 dress The westerner wends his way
from Pera across the bridge through the suburbs
OF Jubalee- X epoosee, past the Rose mosque-Gul
Jamee-to the Christian quarter OF Imikapoo.
where he finds the festive Joy OF the Greek
Easter.
The PROCESSION OF the Greek clergy-some OF
them strikingly handsome with their long
beards and blue eyes-starts from the patriarchal
palace and proceeds past the Turkish guards. who
keen the crowd in check to the Greek church.
Though small Il is richly adorned with chiseled
chancei and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
litanies prayers, responsories and benedictions
characteristic OF Greek ritual. the Easter gospel
is read
This Is done in no less than six languages and.
curiously 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 a peculiar intonation by the
deacon and the others read by special read
ers in characteristic garb Meanwhile mass Is
being celebrated in a niche OF the altar. where
the patriarch blesses the Easter offerings.
The faithful i'm their festive mood are quite
free I'm their behavior and remarks as they listen
70 the readings In six languages. OF which only
Greek. French and Italian is really understood
After the service the patriarch and his attendants
retire to the ps;riarchal palace. where reception
. is held.