Year: 1873

hel1S1OuS observance in the Russo


Greek Chapel-Ortental Christians


to Pr0testants.


Yesterday was the anniversary Of the naming of
the Czar Alexander OF Russia, and as such was
duly observed by religious services in the Orthodox
Eastern chapel in Second avenue, near Fi1tierh
street. The birthday, which among us stands out
so conspicuous In our domestic calendars, is with
the Russians Of comparatively small moment.
They give prominence to the ''name-day," and as
this day may come long or soon after the birth
day, 1t is kept annually in every household, ana
especially IN the imperial household. Wherever
civil or military officer OF the Russian government
may De on the occurrence of this day, II 1t Is at all
possible for him to do 30, he is expected to offer up
prayers for the health, peace prosperity and hap
were present yesterday at the service in the Greek
chapel the nrst secretary OF the Russian Legation
at ata WashingtSn ~ de yog and the Consul Cen
were attired in military uniform and their breasts
were amply decorated with orders and insignia OF
Greek Consul General, represented her husband.
who Is absent from the CITY. Father Morrell OF st.
Adams Ritusistic church, was present also, and
vices at the close OF which he procured translated
copy or the offices OF the Orthodox Eastern Church,
Laudamus'' was sung in Russian by Father
Herring his assistant and two native Russians.


THE ENGLISH RESPONSES


were rendered, as usual, by the regular Sabbath
choir. The most noticeable feature OF the service
was the oftrepeated prayer for long life and peace
'oi the most holy, piOus exalted, anOinted and or
thOdOx Emperor Alexander Alexandra Witch" and
his imperial family, and the frequent lnvocations
to .our most adorable Lady, the ever Virgin Mary,


Aside from the ritual of the Church there would
seem to have been q special necessity for such
alteration and Invocation Of the Virgin at this time,
for since the publication OF the sketch OF Father
behring's sermon in the HERALD OF monday last he
has been Overrun with questioners OF all sorts to
know whether not the Greek Church does really
believe the doctrines set forth In that publica-
tion It was there stated that the Virgin Mary was
the brnger forth only OF the humanity Of Christ,
but Father Bjerring declares the dogma OF his
Church on this point Is Identical with that OF the
Roman Church and that the Virgin Mary is actually
and literally the Mother OF God. In regard to the
"Real Presence" In the Eucharist, which the
HERALD report stated was received by faith alone,
Father Bjerring says, substantially, that after the
conservation OF the elements the real


BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST


are received with or without faith. SO that this
doctrine too Is like that held by the Roman Church.
And instead OF dlsclaimng any priestly power to
forgive sins, he says the priests OF his Church
and, indeed instead OF disagreeing with the Roman
Church, the Greek Church agrees with IL substan-
tally In alth and practice, and the disagreement
mainly Affects the headship OF the Church, whicn
the Pope claims and the patriarchs deny. But as
Father Bjerring intends on every second Sabbath
to continue these sermons, he viii doubtless ex-
plain more In detail In future the agreements ana
disagreements both in theory and practice. be-
tween the Greek, the Roman and the Anglican
Onurcnes, whose union Is now by many persons so
earnestly sought after aud prayed for. But what
blessings either or a spiritual or carnal nature
would come from such union are hardly TO be as
certalned, and have never been fully set forth by
tue advocates OF such union.