Gilpin observer., 1916-04-20

~ growing Jewish population Of Jerusa-
lem keeps the passover with all the
charm of its cosmopolitanism, and even the
Mohammedans have their Easter pilgrimage to
the grave Of Moses.
The throng of Easter pilgrims from the whole
Christian world Is very remarkable sight To
the westerner 1t is revelation of oriental Chris
tanity in all its picturesque devotion. Greeks.
from all over the Levant; Armenians from Tur-
key, Persia and the Caucasus; HISTORIANS from
Mesopotamia and Persia; Syrians from Aleppo.
Damascus and Beyrout: Abyssinians from the
hermit land OF northeast Africa; Copts from
Egypt, and men from the ancient churches OF
southern India, and, above all, Russians who now
adays form by far the largest contingent Of pill
grims-all these races mingle with Latins from
western Europe. with Germans. English. Ameri-
cans. Scandinavian
In the midst of all. and presenting an indi-
viduality perhaps more distinct than all the 9th.
ers. you see the Mohammedan master of the land
the Arab in his solemn garb and majestic bear
Ing, and the Turkish Official and soldier naughty
in the exercise of his duty to keep the Christian
pilgrims in check and to preserve order.
Elaborate PROFESSIONS and ceremonials make
holy week in Jerusalem q gorgeous event. where
the intimate note Of the resurrection is not con-
spicuous. Especially does 1t bring out the divi
sion OF Chrstendom. so strikingy shown In the
way in which Latns. Greeks. Armenians and
Copts share the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Particularly at Easter the marvellous services Of
the Greek orthodox church convey the priority OF
this church in the Holy Land And Of these core
monies. none. perhaps. 10 more impressive than
that Of the washing of feet on the Thursday be-
fore Easter
On that day q platform 10 erected In the court
Of the church. which 10 occupied BY the Greek
bishop Of Jerusalem and IL high church digni.
taries. Court. stairs. inches and every corner 10
crowded by the faithful to witness the enact.
ment of the scene when Jesus washed the feet
Of his disciples. Tho parts Of Jesus. John. Peter
and Judas each given to an ecclesiastic.
and read with fine simplicity. though the
story 10 told with Q certain freedom from gospel
text.
At the end the patriarch washes the feet Of
the II clerics. and. repeating Jesus words. Let
US co. for he that will betray me Ii Nigh" gives
church. Then an olive branch. hanging over the
chancel Of the platform, is pulled up to the roof
Of the church amid shouts Of Joy.
Next day, Good Friday, all the lights in the
Holy Sepulcher church are extinguished. This IL
symbolical of tho agony and death Of our Lord
and OF his descent to hell, when the light of the
weld taken away for brief space. Then.
on Saturday. the lights rekindled-by q super
natural agency, the tradition goes. Al the
church dgpitaries pray in the chapel Of the
sepulcher, araped in deep mourning. the stono
gathers q peculiar moisture which rises as a va
k,ndles tho lights. It Is the custom OF the people
to light candles from another and the faith.
full believe that the first OF these candles is kin
died from that supernatural nre.
The dawn OF Easter Sunday ia celebrated by q
magnificent procession which enacts. in impress
sively dramatic fashion. the events Of the resur
rection morn. when the women found the grave
open and empty. Then the Easter greeting re-
sounds. Christ is risen" and the response. He
ia truly risen!" The Greek mass. celebrated by
20 priests ends the ceremony.
Although the Easter Of the orthodox church