RELIGION AND CUSTOMS OF THE GREEKS.
A LONGER acquaintance and a more familiar touch with the Greek people, their country, and their customs, greatly changes one's first impressions. Merely passing through the country, viewing its scant remains of an ancient civilization, gives a very meager idea of modern Greece, which, if for no other reason, holds a place in our attention because it is the same spot, and its inhabitants descendants of the same people, whose classics and arts play such a large part in modern education. It is claimed by the Greek people that the history of their church and state is, and always has been, the same, and that a separation would be impossible. From the fact that, with few exceptions, every child born among them for centuries has been baptized into the Greek Church upon receiving its name, they can hardly comprehend how a person could be a Greek, and not belong to their church. In this baptismal service the little one is undressed, rubbed all over with oil, and immersed three times in a large basin of water by the priest; at the same time its godfather receives his charge. The child is then taught to make the sign of the cross, as it is taught to walk. Making the cross becomes a part of its very nature. The written history of Greece does not antedate 750 B. C. Its mythological history carries us back another thousand years, during which, in the fancy of its childhood, its great mountain-peaks were peopled with gods and goddesses, and its springs and forests were inhabited by nymphs and strange monsters. Under Alexander, Greece became the third world-power, 331 B. C., according to Daniel's prophecy. During the years 117–138 A. D., Emperor Hadrian erected many buildings at Athens, and put in an aqueduct which still supplies the city with water. It is said that the only way to get a Greek to change his religion, is to hire him. We are glad there are a few notable exceptions to this rule, but it really seems almost impossible for the people to understand conversion, for they think they are born converted. Among the out-of-the-way villages, and the more ignorant classes of people, one who does not make the sign of the cross and observe the feasts, is immediately accounted as a heathen; frequently he is looked upon as a "Turk," which, to them, signifies everything bad. Some have heard of Protestants under the name of "Masons," and they have an idea that such people are guilty of the most heinous crimes. During the summer the sun is very hot, fairly burning those who are exposed to its rays. The13great mountains, which are nothing but bare rocks, intensify the heat. Many of the people do not dress during the daytime in the hot season—they go about in their night-clothes. At night they sleep outdoors, on the balconies, sidewalks, small boats tied along the shore, or in the streets. The Greeks think fruit is a cause of fever. They eat almost nothing but meat, and drink much wine. The people seem willing to learn. They think a great deal of Americans. On these fertile plains of Argos great quantities of tomatoes and tobacco are grown, as well as some other vegetables and fruits. These articles are very cheap. Canned goods can not be bought, as the natives do not know how to can their products. Large quantities of grapes are raised, and shipped to England and America as raisins. As to the people: There is a wide diversity of life among them. The poor are considered as the servant class. Among the higher classes it is thought almost a disgrace to do any kind of physical work. Nor is this to be wondered at when we realize that labor is so cheap. In the market-place there is always a boy or man at your elbow, wanting to carry your purchases for you. He asks but five lepta, or two-thirds of a cent, for his services. The poor people live in filth and dirt infested by insects. In fact, we find troublesome insects in the best of houses. The more wealthy inhabitants of this country usually live on the third floor. As little wood as possible is used in the construction of the buildings. They are generally built of stone or cement, and covered with tile. Very few houses have water in them, and then it is supplied only to the first floor. Usually servants are employed to carry the water, as it is often several blocks away. Of the 2,217,000 inhabitants of Greece, about 21,300 are soldiers and officers of the regular army; the officers are not allowed to engage in any other occupation than that of service to their country. Every young man must spend two years in the army. Then, again, the nation is deeply in debt, and the powers compel the Greeks to pay their interest. It is estimated that 15,000 Greeks live in the United States—nearly all of them in New York or Chicago. Another burden is the support of the Greek Church and the priests, of whom there are a large number. Those that do not belong to this church are not considered Greeks at all. They believe they have the true and pure religion. Images, pictures, and relics are used in their worship, and the people are very superstitious. In their business relations the Greeks are unreliable. They have different prices for the same article on different days, and for different customers. Then, too, they are a quick tempered race. Fighting is quite common. But, I am glad to say, there are many good people among them, and they are capable of warm friendships.