A GREEK FUNERAL by H. A. Henderson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 4, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 40.

A GREEK FUNERAL.

By H. A. Henderson

THIS morning at about 9 the mournful notes of a funeral dirge, played by a brass band, called us to the platea. The procession was just issuing from the church, where a service had been held.

This service is very interesting, consisting of chanting and reading, the last part of which if translated would sound something like this: "What an agony does the soul suffer when freed from the body! Having lived in the body so many years, it sorrows to leave, and strives again and again to re-enter, and now it is hovering about, seeking a place to rest."

A friend, apologizing for this doctrine, said it was necessary to incite people to better lives; but certainly the familiar text, "For God so loved the world," is a better incentive.

But the procession is formed. In front a man carries a large cross; on either side of him a man is carrying what looks like an ordinary street lamp, post and all, the metal parts being gilded. Then follow some children carrying flowers, then the band, behind which four servants are carrying the deceased, who on this occasion was a prominent merchant. The corpse lies on a litter shaped like the bottom of a coffin, with sides only about three inches high, so the body is entirely exposed to the view of the public. It is dressed in black, with a wreath of artificial white flowers on the forehead, signifying that the man was not married, otherwise he would not wear the wreath.

Following this are eleven priests. Over the long black robes which they usually wear they have white ones coming to the knee, except the "high priest," who wears a robe of many colors, something after the description of the priests of the Israelites. Behind these are two men with a book, who chant in mournful voices, occasionally joined by the priests. Then come the mourners and a great multitude of friends, among whom we find some acquaintances, and join them. The people come from the stores and side streets to bow and cross themselves as we pass.

When we reach the old gate at the city limit, many of the people return, as the way is long and the sun very hot. The scene here recalls vividly the one occurring at the gate of Nain, recorded in Luke 7:11-15. But we pass on, and at length enter the cemetery through the large gates in the stone wall which surrounds it.

The bearers place the body on a stone slab, which rests on a solid cement base three by three by six feet; under this the earth has been taken out sufficiently to admit the coffin, the opening being at the end. This is a family vault. In fact, all the vaults are on the same principle. The body rests here about three years; the bones are then removed, placed in a box, and either taken away by the relatives, or, being properly labeled, are stored in a stone house in the cemetery. Thus the place is left for the next member of the family. In the present case a brother of the deceased who died a little less than three years ago had not been removed until this morning, and his entire skeleton lay on a large stone near at hand.

The religion of the Greeks is made up very much of saint and picture worship, and because of their firm belief in the inherent immortality of the soul, that dreadful satanic deception, Spiritualism, is taking a firm hold upon the people.

Is it not time that the Gospel in its purity should again be taught to this people as Paul once taught it, so that some here may be ready to meet the Saviour at His coming, and to receive the reward which He will bring with Him? Rev. 22:12.

Nauplia, Greece. H. A. HENDERSON.