ST. TRIPHON'S MONASTERY 187 



made — 25 versts long ; swamps have been dried and the land 

 levelled. 



In addition to this work and their devotional exercises, the monks 

 of the re-established Pechenga Monastery have also to continue the 

 missionary work of the Holy Triphon in our Northern Province. It 

 is to be the bulwark of the Orthodox Faith against any possible in- 

 vasion of the teachings of another faith into Russian territory from the 

 direction of the Norwegian frontier. 



The Monastery of St. Triphon already exercises a beneficent in- 

 fluence upon the dwellers in the vast desolate country of the far 

 North — the nomadic Laplanders ; it will be to them the same shining 

 torch as it was during the lifetime of its founder, in whose sanctity 

 they firmly believe. Even now they, like the inhabitants of the 

 colonies and the citizens of the town of Kola, frequently and fervently 

 visit the monastery ; but more especially on those days when the 

 memory of St. Triphon is celebrated, and when about 500 congregate 

 and stay in the monastery some three days. Undeniably it has a bene- 

 ficial influence upon these inhabitants of the tundras, these children of 

 nature, impressionable as they naturally are, when on entering the 

 church they see its beautiful decorations, the lighted lamps, the 

 assembly of priests in their brilliant vestments, and hear the har- 

 monious singing and clear reading. All this engenders in their 

 breasts an unspeakable joy, and leaves pleasant memories in their 

 minds. The hearty welcome tendered to the pious Laplanders, the 

 comfortable accommodation and abundant meals provided for them 

 during these three days, the distribution of pictures representing the 

 monastery, of small crosses and holy images and pamphlets, all tend 

 towards attracting them to the monastery. They take a great 

 delight in telling their families and neighbours all they have seen. 

 But what is better than all — they carry away with them a firm and 

 deep belief ; and the knowledge that they are the children of the One 

 great and holy orthodox Church ; and that they also are sons of the 

 great and powerful Empire of Russia. 



