HOW THE GREEKS OBSERVE EASTER.
By Hervy A. Henderson
MANY days of the year are observed by the Greek Church as holy days. Days are observed in honor of "saints" almost without number, also in honor of Christ's baptism, His ascension, and other events in His life and ministry; but Easter outrivals other religious festivals, and Easter Sunday is the most festive day of the year. Church and State unite to do it honor. It is ushered in by the booming of cannon, while the military pageantry and priestly ritualism vie with each other in making the loudest noise and the finest display. The following description of Easter festivities is translated from the Greek. It appeared in one of the Easter morning dailies of Athens this year:— "The church bells and the booming cannon announce the Saviour's triumph over death, and call upon us to rejoice, while a million Christians sing, 'Christ is risen.' The harmonious songs of all the Christian world ascend to heaven, awakening emotions of joy and gratitude in all hearts. "Day of love, day of brotherliness sent to all the world! Every soul sings a hymn to the Saviour. Rich and poor, free and bond, give the hand in loving fellowship, and the desire of happiness to all. From the mountains, from the plains, from the cities, from the villages, from every place where free Greeks live, they send salutations to their brethren in trouble. Let hope not forsake their hearts. 'Christ is risen' is true in the Christian faith, and it is also a symbol of another resurrection and another day when all the Greeks will feast together." For forty-eight days previous to Easter Sunday, Lent is observed. During this time the most devout worshipers abstain from the use of flesh meats and oil. The majority of the people, however, only observe in strictness the first and the last day of the time. Beginning with Monday of the last week, each day is a "great" day. All are "holy" days, and each night liturgies are said in the churches, and some part of the Gospel pertaining especially to the last week of Christ's ministry on earth is chanted. On Friday flocks of sheep are driven in from the country, and each family provides itself with a "paschal" lamb. Friday night is a time of great mourning. The people all gather in the churches, each provided with a candle. The priests and choristers chant the story of the cross. The people assume a very sad demeanor. They mournfully kiss a large picture of Christ hung in the vestry of the building, and seat themselves in silence. In the center of the church rests a bier, covered with a canopy of flowers and surrounded by lighted tapers. The lamentation continues until 10 o'clock or later, when each person, at a given signal, lights his or her candle. The bier, borne by selected pall-bearers, is carried out of the church, followed by priests and people. Outside a procession is formed in front of the bier, consisting of men wearing long white robes and bearing crosses and brazen lamps, the band playing a funeral dirge, and a company of soldiers representing those who crucified Christ. The priests and people follow, marching in solemn procession through the principal thoroughfares of the city, which are everywhere lighted up, a brilliant display of candles being arranged in every window and balcony. On Saturday morning at 10 o'clock the people again gather in the churches, while the priest chants the fourteenth chapter of John. In the afternoon the lambs are killed, and blood is seen everywhere. In the evening all is quiet again, and in darkness. The people speak in undertones, and there is a feeling that some strange event is impending. By 11 o'clock the people have again collected in the churches. The king, with the royal family, the officers of the law and of the army, rich and poor, high and low, all meet in a common expectancy. At a few minutes before 12 the high priest, wearing a brilliant crown and bright-colored robes, comes out of the inner room of the church, carrying several lighted candles. Quietly he passes among the people, each one lighting his candle from that of the priest. Then, accompanied by a few officials, he goes out into the open square in front of the building and mounts a raised platform surrounded by soldiers. The people press around in silence, and in a mournful yet distinct tone the priest chants from the latter part of the twenty-third and first part of the twenty-fourth chapters of Luke. At length the distant town clock begins to strike the hour of midnight. Still all is silent save the voice of the priest; but as the last stroke of the clock dies away, the priest reaches the sixth verse, and, raising his voice, he says, "He is not here; Christ is risen." Instantly all is changed. The very ground trembles with the roar of cannon. The band strikes up a lively air; fireworks are exploded, and rockets shoot far into the heavens. The sea of candles, which has been so quiet, now waves up and down, as the people with happy faces grasp each other's hands, and even embrace, shouting, "Christ is risen." On Sunday morning the lambs are roasted. This is usually done out-of-doors, over a large charcoal fire. Sunday afternoon and the following days of the week are spent in feasting, dancing, and visiting. During these days the common salutation is, "Christ is risen." The men very often salute one another with a kiss; and this salutation is not confined to acquaintances, but is extended to strangers also. During the week following Easter, no matter at what hour one may visit a house, the table is spread with a cold roast lamb, colored eggs, fruit, and wine, and the visitor is always expected to partake of these refreshments. The historical Greek is noted for his devotion to his religion. The people are courteous to strangers, and very hospitable, and they respect persons who adhere to other forms of religion; but their idolatries are so woven into their lives that the spiritual power of a true Gospel has no place, and makes no impression upon them. The formalities of these sacrilegious devotions are their highest ideal of Christianity.