us to comfort ourselves under the loss of a father, a husband, or a wife. When the body of the deceased is completely dressed as beforementioned and decently extended on the bier, for the regular performance of his last obsequies, and the hour is come for his interment, the crucifix is carried in procession at the head of the funeral train; and the priests and deacons, who accompany them, reciting the prayers appointed by the church, burn incense, and implore the Divine Majesty to receive the soul of the deceased into his heavenly mansions. The wife, for Ricaut is here speaking of the burial of a husband, follows his dear remains, drowned in a flood of tears, and so disconsolate, that if we may form a judgment from her tears, and the excess of her cries and lamentations, one would imagine she would set her soul at liberty to fly after and overtake her husband's. Ricaut adds, that there are some women, however to be met with, that have no taste for these extravagant testimonies of their grief and anguish, and yet their mourning is not less solemn than that of their neighbours. They have women who are mourners by profession, who weep in the widow's stead for a certain sum, who, by frequent practice of their art, can represent to the life all the violent emotions and gesticulations that naturally flow from the most pungent and unfeigned sorrow. As soon as the funeral service is over, they kiss the crucifix, and afterwards salute the mouth and forehead of the deceased. After that, each of them eats a small bit of bread, and drinks a glass of wine in the church, wishing the soul of the deceased a good repose, and the afflicted family all the consolation they can wish for. We had forgot to inform the reader, that according to the accounts of some travellers, a widow that has lost her husband, a child who has lost his father or mother, in short, all persons who are in deep mourning, dress no victuals at their own houses. The friends and relations of the deceased send them in provisions for the first eight davs; at the end whereof they pay the disconsolate family a charitable visit, in order to the same occasion, which are repeated at the expiration of forty days; as also at the close of six months, and on the last day of the year. After the ceremony is concluded, they make their friends a prescht of some corn, boiled rice, wine, and some sweet-meats. This custom, which is generally called by the Greeks ta sperna, is looked upon by them as very ancient. They renew it with more solemnity and devotion than ever, on the Friday immediately preceding their Lent, that before Christmas, on Good-Friday, and the Friday before Whitsuntide; which days the Greek church have devoted to the service of the dead, not only those who have departed this life according to the common course of nature, but such likewise as have unfortunately met with a sudden and untimely death. The funeral procession begins with two young country lads, holding wooden crosses in their hands followed by a priest in a white cope, escorted by several other priests dressed in party coloured stoles, but slovens from head to foot. After them comes the corpse exposed to public view, drest after the manner of the Greeks, in all her bridal apparel. The husband follows the bier, supported by two persons of distinction, who use all the prevailing arguments they can think of to keep him from expiring under the weight of his affliction. And yet after all, it is whispered, that his poor wife died of mere grief. Of all comedies, that of marriage surely is the most comical, provided a man does not personate the hero. When he does, indeed, he is obliged, as it were, to assume the character that is partly childish, mean, foolish, hypocritical, and sometimes roguish. Were we to form a judgment of things by their outward appearance, one would imagine, that the Grecian husbands have an inexhaustible fountain of tears, that they can bemoan the loss of their wifes in such a clamorous and public manner. Is the blessing of a good wife common. among the Greeks? Can no other country boast it? Are good wives a scarce commodity amongst the Greeks, above all other nations? God defend the condole with, and comfort them under their unhap- dead! says Rabelais, I must think of finding out py loss, and to wait on them to church, where another help-mate. One of the daughters of the there are prayers read for the repose of the soul of deceased, continues Tournefort who was of years the deceased. The men again eat and drink in the church, whilst the women renew their cries and lamentations. But such as can afford to hire profest moumers, never give themselves this second to weep over their husband's tombs, three days after fatigue, but substitute proper persons in their stead, their interment, at which time there are prayers read for the repose of his soul. After the ninth day, there are masses and prayers read again upon of maturity, and agreeable enough, her sisters and some other relations, marched in their proper order, with their hats dishrevelled, leaning on the arms of some of their intimate acquaintance. When their voices failed them, or when they were at a loss to express themselves any longer, they tore the hair off their heads in the most violent and frantic manner imaginable, first on one side, and then on the other; but nature cannot long be concealed under this thin disguise The ancient Greeks were celebrated for their disguise, and it is very easy to distinguish, on these Such are the sentiments of those Christians called occasions, the sincere mourner from the hypocriti- Greeks, who reside in Greece and in the Lesser cal impostor. If there are any fine cloaths in the Asia; for there are others who are also called whole town, they are brought out on this public Greeks, but are looked upon by the above as schisoccassion. The friends and relations are ambitious matics; but these we shall give an account of afterof making the best appearance they possibly can; wards. In the mean time several reflections may whereas amongst us, we one and all are drest in be drawn from what has been here advanced, for black. This gaity of theirs is no bar or impedi-history without improvement is like a body without ment, however, to the expression of the concern, life. And first, by the deepest sighs and most hideous groanings. If a person happens to die in any part of the town whatever, their very enemies, as well as friends and relations, nay, the whole neighbourhood, great and small, without distinction, think themselves to weep and wail, since they would make an ill figure, if they did not at least seem to drop a tear on such a melancholy occasion. From whence we may reasonably conclude, that such an extravagant, such a noisy expression of their sorrow must be wholly owing to the mode of the country; an ambition to imitate those who are actually in distress, and the nature of the climate in which they live. There is no inass said for the dead on the days of their interment, but forty in every parish the day following, at seven pence per mass. As soon as they are got into the church, the priest reads aloud the office for the dead, whilst a young clerk repeats some particular psalms of David at the foot of the bier. When the office is over, there are twelve loaves, and as many bottles of wine distributed amongst the poor at the church door. Every priest has ten gazettees, or Venetian pence, and the bishop who accompanies the corpse, three half crowns. The grand vicar, treasurer, and keeper of the archieves, who are next to the prelate in point of dignity, have three crowns, or a double fee. After this distribution, one of the priests lays a large piece of broken pot upon the breast of the deceased, on which a cross, and the usual characters, I. N. B. I. are are engraved. After that they withdraw and take their leave of the deceased. The relations, but more particularly the husband, kisses her pale lips; and this is looked upon as so incumbent a duty, that the neglect of it cannot be dispensed with, tho' the person should die of the most infectious distemper. Her friends embrace her, and her neighbours salute her; but no holy water is sprinkled upon her. After the interment is over they conduct the husband back to his house. When the funeral assembly departs, the hired mourners repeat their lamentations; and in the evening, the relations send the poor afflicted an agreeable collation, and go and carouse with him by way of consolation. wisdom, learning and valour; and their writings, next to those of the Old Testament, and so far as we know the most ancient in the world. Divided at first into several small republics, they were jealous of each other, and altho' Philip of Macedon made them tributary, yet even then they assisted him to overthrow the Persian empire, and their learning spread over the greater part of the Lesser Asia. Secondly, how different are those descended from them! without courage-without learning, and sunk into the most abject state of meanness !-they are considered by the Turks as poor, pusillanimcus wretches, and live in a state almost of Egyptian bondage. It is true they have the name of Christians-but they have not failed to debase the glory of the Gospel! by mixing with it many rites and ceremonies, used by their Pagan ancestors. Thirdly, It is remarkable how prone the heart of man is to superstition, and indeed to every thing which God has not commanded to be observed, but rather forbidden. At the time of Constantine the Great, there were many flourishing churches in Greece, and for many years after, few ceremonies were introduced, except such as were in their own nature simple and indifferent. But after the sixth century, they acted the same part as the Israelites did in the wilderness, when they made the golden calf and wanted to return to Egypt. The Greeks had either a written or a traditional account of the religion of their ancestors, and as they were beginning gradually to lose all knowledge of the truths of Christianity, they daily embraced more and more of the Pagan ceremonies. In this they were encouraged by the example of the Romans, who had learned so many Heathenish customs, that the chief part of their religion consisted in making the sign of the cross. Lastly, The Greeks seem as little ambitious of acquiring knowledge, as they are of regaining their liberty, which may serve to shew, that, to make men slaves, they should be kept in ignorance; for slavery, either of body or mind, vanishes away be fore fore learning. A few years ago, when the Russians were at war with the Turks, it was expected that had they succeeded, the Greeks would have been taken under their protection; but the plan miscarried, and they are still in the same forlorn condition as before. In that condition they are likely to continue, till some remarkable revolution takes place in Europe, of which we cannot at present form any notion. THE An Account of the RELIGION of those GREEKS, who differ in many things from those already mentioned. Of the Greek Church in Russia. The Russians are very ambitious to have their conversion to Christianity as high as the age of the apostles: and they believe that the gospel was first preached among them by St. Andrew, the brother of Peter. When we consider that there were many churches established in Greece and many parts around it, soon after the apostolic age, it is not at all improbable, but some of the Poles and the Russians were converted to Christianity; but whatever were the number of these converts, this much is certain, all knowledge of Christianity was lost in Russia, when the Greeks sent missionaries there in the tenth century, of which the following is a ge nuine account. HE difference to be found among all those throughout the world, who bear the name of Christians, is one of the strongest proofs that there was such a person as Jesus Christ in the world, that he suffered, rose again, and ascended into heaven. | Most of these different denominations agree in the points essential to salvation, altho' they hate and excommunicate each other for the observation of particular rites and ceremonies. Now, is it impossible, that all these people, so different in their modes of worship and discipline, should while they hate each other, agree in the belief of the gospel history, concerning Jesus Christ? There is not a deist in Europe who doubts there was such a person as the impostor Mahomet, who was born six hundred years after the death of Christ; and yet to a sceptic in history, the accounts we have of such a Igor, duke of Russia, and a Pagan, dying in 955, person's living in the world as Mahomet, are liable left a son named Stoflaus, a minor, and his mother to more objections than the history of Christ. Ma- Ola was appointed regent. This lady having heard homet was born in an age when ignorance overspread of the splendour of the Greek emperor's court, at the earth, so that for some time after his death, Constantinople, went thither, and was baptized by there were no accounts of him but by tradition. the patriarch, who gave her the name of Helen. On the other hand, altho' the world was lost in Pa- Upon her return home to her own country, she pergan idolatry when Christ was born, yet there were suaded some of her great lords to send for some men in Judea, in Greece, and in Rome. All the priests from Greece, which they did, and were bapJewish writers, since that time, take notice of him, tized but Stroflaus, the young duke, growing up to: altho' they deny that he was the Messiah. Several years of maturity, banished the priests out of the Heathen writers mention him as a very extraordinary country, and continued himself a heathen to the person; and Celsus, the severest writer against the last. He was succeeded by his son Walodimir, a Christians, never denied that there was such a per- prince of knowledge and courage. Having cultison as Jesus Christ, nor did he reject his miracles, vated an acquaintance with the Greek emperor, only that he said they were wrought by the power who sent ambassadors to him, he followed the exof magic. We thought it more necessary to take ample of his grandmother, and was baptized by the notice of these things in this place, because some of name of Basil. Soon after, this resolving to estaour readers ought to be cautioned against every blish Christianity in his dominions, he married the thing that may lead their minds off from believing princess Anne, daughter of the emperor Basil, and the fundamental truths of the gospel. No. 15. the patriarch of Constantinople, consecrated several 4 S archbishops archbishops and bishops and fixed their principal -residence in the most capital cities of Russia; that taking all these circumstances together, Christianity was not established in Russia before the latter end of the tenth century, This is the reason why the Russians profess a great esteem for the Greeks; for it will appear, that in some points of faith, as well as of discipline, there are several differances between them. They have the bible printed in their own language, which is called the Sclavonian, and they acknowledged it to be the true word of God, especially the four gospels which they never touch without certain marks of respect and veneration. But altho' they declare the Holy scriptures to be the rule of their faith, yet they pay almost as much regard to the decrees of the first seven general councils, and the Greek fathers, particularly Basil, Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Epherem the Syrian. They receive the Apostles Ciced, the Nicene, and that of Athanasius, so that when any point of religion is to be proved by them, they have first recourse to the sacred scriptures, next to the councils, and to the fathers abovementioned, and the last appeal is to the patriarch of Russia. The Russians are of the same opinion with Protestants concerning the head of the church, namely, there is no person entitled to that honour, but Jesus Christ only, and for that reason they look upon the pope as an usurper. It is true, they pay something annually to the patriarch of Constantinople, but that is rather out of respect than from an acknowledgement of jurisdiction. Neither do they allow that there has been any power in the Greek church to work miracles since the death of the apostles, they being unnecessary after the full establishment of Chritianity. They have a great veneration for the person of the sovereign, and the count it an hɔnour to do the meanest offices for him, nor are they less submissive and obedient to all those who are in authority under him. He Another thing much regarded by the Russians, is the duty they owe to their clergy, of whom they have several degrees and orders. The first in rank is the patriarch, who is archbishop of Muscow, and formerly was obliged to reside in that city, but ever since the court has been kept at Petersburgh, he has been permitted to reside there part of the year, to assist the sovereign with his councils. He is next to the to soveriegn, the chief person in the empire, and determines in all ecclesiastical affairs. wears a kind of long black robe, and has always a cross carried before him Next to the patriarch are the archbishop under him, and these are four in number, viz. those of Kiovia, Rostoff, Casan, and Sankinski and this last must reside constantly at Muscow, to assist the partiarch. Next in rank are the seven bishops, viz. of Kiovia, Muscow, Plescow, Wolodimir, Casan Astracan, and Torosho in Siberia. Under these are priests, whom they call popes or papas, and these are divided into proto-papas, archpapas, and common papas, of whom there are vast numbers in Russia, there being no other qualifications necessary, besides being able to read, write, and sing. The chief badge of the priesthood is a Iner priests, whom they call Papas, read the whole of the New Testament in their churches to the people, but no part of the Old, except the Psalms; for they consider some part of the Old Testament as above the common comprehension of the vulgar. This is certainly true, and so are many things in the New Testament, and were men able to comprehend every thing in the sacred scriptures, then revelation would be no more than a system of nausal religion. They never deliver an explication of what has been read, which is perhaps one of the reasons why they continue in such a state of ignorance. They say that preachers only perplex their hearers by giving them too subtle an explication of what is plain in itself, and consequently leading them into unnecessary controversies of no import-cap, or calot, which is put upon their heads at the ance to salvation. They believe the church to be an assembly of the faithful, whom God has promised to assist with his grace, to attain unto eternal salvation, and have vanity enough to assert, that out of their church there is no salvation. Till of late years, they would not suffer a Jew to reside among them, and such was their hatred of the Turks, that when such an ambassador came from Constatinople he was not permitted to kiss the Czar's hand. All other Christians-besides themselves, they consider as Heretics, only that they look upon the Greeks in the Levant with a more favourable eye than upon any others. time of their consecrated, and they are obliged to wear it as long as they continue in the priesthood. Another badge of their priesthood is the stick they. carry in their hands, being for the part-cloathed in a loose robe of coarse cloth, which comes down to their feet, and as they pass along the streets, the people ask them for their blessing. And yet we find from the best information, that their inferior priests. are much addicted to drunkenness in public houses, where they frequently create, quarrels, and also receive a severe drubbing. Almost all Russia swarms with monks, of which they have their orders, viz. the Benedictines, the. order order of St. Basil, and that of St. Nicholas, and these, like the Roman catholics, make three vows, viz. of poverty, chastity and obedience, but in most other things they are very different from those of Rome. They lead a very austere life, and are cloathed in black loose cloaks with a girdle round their middle, and a badge to distinguish their order on their breast; They have their abbots and priors, who are generally very ignorant, their being few among them who are able to read. The have also nuns, who live much after the same manner as the monks, and are cloathed in long black robes, except such as are persons of quality, who are distinguished by short white vests. There are also hermits in Russia, who have no other way of procuring a subsistence than that of begging from travellers, who sometimes give them a little, for which in return they receive their blessings. The bishops and priests live upon their tythes and what else the people are pleased to bestow upon them, for they have no houses or lands as in the Roman catholic countries. Simony, or the purchasing of church livings, is as common in Russia as in Italy, and they often exchange one benefice for another, which is one of the worst things that ever could take place in a national church. All their churches are built round and vaulted, to have some resemblance to the heavens, and they have five steeples, one in the centre higher than the others, and the other four around it. They use neither pews, chairs nor benches in their churches, because they perform their devotions either kneeling or prostrate on the ground. They look upon their churches as so sacred that no new married couple can be admitted into them until they have first bathed themselves. They admit of no organs in their churches, nor of any images of wood or stone, but only such as are painted, Next to their churches, they shew much regard to their church-yards where they bury their dead. They will not suffer any impurities to be thrown into them, nor will they permit a dog to pass over them. They are great admirers of bells, looking upon them as essential to divine worship. They have nearly the same notions of the Trinity with the Greeks in the Levant; that is, they believe in the Creeds, only with some small variations from the ancient fathers. of all things, the first person in the ever blessed, They believe that God the Father is the Creator Trinity, and the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.. That Jesus Christ is the second person in the trinity; and that he is essentially both God and man. That the Holy Ghost is the third person in the trinity, but they affirm that the Holy Ghost proceeds only from the Father, and not from the Father and the Son. This notion was embraced by some of the ancients, but certainly it is very unbecoming for them to dispute concerning what they are utterly unable to comprehend. They adore the images of the apostles, the prophets, saints and martyrs, and they pretend to have some of their relics. Amongst all their other saints, they pay the greatest regard to St. Nicholas of Baris, whom they acknowledge to be the patron of all the Russian empire. They shew a great veneration for the name of God, and never stir out of their houses till the have said a prayer before the image of one of their saints, of which they keep always one beside them. If a poor person enters the house of one of their persons of quality, he first looks for the image of the saint, and adores it before he pays his respects to the master of the house. The Russians pay much regard to pilgrimages, it being considered as meritorious in any person to visit the shrines of their favourite saints. These notions are so deeply rooted in their minds, that the late empress, in compliance with the vulgar opinion, frequently accompanied her subjects in those journies. As the Russians are much adicted to drunkenness, so it frequently happens on those pilgrimages, that they quarrel and fight so furiously, that they wound and sometimes kill each other. When the Russians are at their devotions, they often knock their foreheads against the ground, and cross themselves in the following manner: They first make the sign of the cross with their fingers on the forehead, which intimates, say they, the ascension of Christ; next on the heart, to point out that the heart is the receptacle of the word of God. Next they make a cross, first on the right, and then on the left shoulder, intimating thereby, that at the day of judgement, the righteous will be placed on the right hand of Christ, and the wicked on his left. Some few years ago, the patriarch ordered that the laity should cross themselves with only two fingers, whereas before they used to do it with three, in honour of the persons in the Holy Trinity. But this met with so much opposition from the people, that they declared they would sooner loose their heads than be deprived of the privilege of crossing themselves with three fingers, as had been practised by their ancestors. Their three great feasts of Whitsunday, Christmas and Easter are kept with great strictness and solemnity, no one person being permitted to work: they have also many other festivals, on each of which they have prayers peculiar to them, We have already observed, that they never preach in their churches, because they look upon |