Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-04-20

R0DZE ~ ZEG 9UILTZN0N-o
OF the native Christians the Greeks predomi-
nate, but there has always been a very numerous
Armenian element in Constantinople. The mag
nit1cent Greek orthodox ceremonia 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 I'M
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 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 re-
ligion, but Bulgarian in speech and political aims,
it has been temporarily weakened. I
"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 butcher
shops you see the passover lambs with gilded
feet and the choice pieces-the kidneys-placed
on 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 Levant are
there; Bulgarians in embroidered jackets;
Greeks from the mountains, sporting the fustanel-
la, the kilt which resembles a dancers skirt;
burly men from the Adriatic, Levantines, Arme-
mans; ladies in the latest Paris fashions, genuine
and otherwise, and, of course, a host of French,
Germans, Italians, Austrians, Russians, English
and Americans.
The is by no means inconspicu-
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-Kepoosee, past the Rose mosque-Gul
Jamee-to the Christian quarter of Imi-Kapoo,
where he finds the festive joy of the Greek
Easter.
The procession of the Greek clergy-some of
them s~trikingly 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, it is richly adorned with chiseled
chancel and pillars with ivory eagles. After long
litanies, prayers, Responsiveness 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 information by the
deacon, and the others are read by special read
es in Characteristic garb. Meanwhile mass Is
being celebrated in a niche 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
Greek, French and Italian is really understood.
After the service the patriarch and his attendants
retire to the patriarchal palace. where a reception
is held.