Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-04-21
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OF the native Christians the Greeks predomi-
nate, but there has always been a very numerous
Armenian element in Constantnople The mag
nifcent Creek 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 IN
der Turkish sway. Until the comparatively recent
rise of the Balkan NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Servian, Bulgarian. Montenegrin-Greek 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 unifying power of the Greek church
was more complete under Ottoman rule than IL
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-
Iigion. but Bulgarian in speech and political aims
it has been temporarily weakened
"Christos Anesti"-"Christ 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"-'fowers OF
Easter time"-are sold everywhere to the festive
throng in the narrow streets. In the putcher
shops you the passover lambs with giided
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys-plsced
gold foil.
The variety of types and costumes seen in this
throng where the West meets the East IL most
remarkable. All the Christians of the Levant ase
there; Bulgarians in embroidered jackets;
Greeks from the mountains, sporting the fustaae!-
la, the kilt which resembles dancers skirt;
burly men from the Adratc, Levantines, Arme-
nians 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-
Gus, whether he be Turk, Arao 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
Jamee-to tie Christian quarter of Imi-kapoo.
where he finds the festive joy of the Greek
Easter.
The procession of the Greek clergy-some of
them strikingly handsome with their long
boards 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, 1t Is richly adorned with chiseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
litanies prayers, responsories and benedictons
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 Mo5ammedan,
Arabic and Persian. The others French and
Italian Albanian and Greek. The Greek is read,
or rather, sung, with peculiar intonation by the
deacon and the others read by special read
ers in characteristic garb Meanwhile mass Is
being celebrated in a rche of the altar. where
the patriarch besses the Easter offerings.
Tho 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
Greek French and italian is really understood.
After the service the patriarch and his attendants
retire to the patrarchal palace, where reception
ia held.