MOUNT ATHOS. 223 



representation of the Resurrection. When the bishop gives the 

 blessing, he holds two lighted tapers crossed in one hand to signify 

 the two-fold nature of Christ, and three tapers in the other as a 

 symbol of the Trinity ; he makes the sign of the cross, and he 

 sprinkles holy water with three fingers in a particular form, in 

 allusion to the same mystery ; or can this be an adaptation of an 

 ancient Pagan superstition mentioned by Ovid, Et digitis tria thura 

 tribas sub limine ponit? They burn incense, and waft it towards the 

 pictures of the Virgin Yluvxyioc *, of Christ ^vtoKpirm^ and of the 

 patron saint, and kiss them with profound adoration. The clergy 

 suffer their beard and hair to grow to great length, in imitation, as 

 they assert, of Christ and his Apostles. They perform the ceremony 

 of exorcism for epilepsy, and some other diseases, supposed to be the 

 effect of daemoniacal possession. Many more superstitious practices 

 might be mentioned. On taking leave of Father Gerasimos of Chili- 

 antari, we congratulated him on the peace and tranquillity which 

 his little religious commonwealth enjoyed in the midst of the wars and 

 revolutions of Europe ; but he replied, that on the contrary, they 

 were in a state of perpetual conflict with three most powerful ene- 

 mies, the devil, their own lusts, and the travelling caloyers, who em- 

 bezzle the alms by which the convents should be supported ; and 

 that these would soon produce the ruin of their community, which 



* " The Greeks of all Christians in the world seem to me ^tAofleoxoxeuTaTot the most 

 zealous adorers of the mother of God. The Latins in this matter are extravagant 

 enough, but truly the Greeks far outdo them. In many instances which I could give, 

 they ascribe unto her almost as great a providence as to God himself. Taking my leave 

 in the monasteries at Mount Athos, their last farewell to me was commonly this, N« <r«j 

 4>uX«yw Ssof Huvxylx, ' May God keep you and the all-holy Lady.' Infinitely more 

 prayers are made particularly to her than to Christ; and that not only in their private 

 devotions, but in their Euchologion or Common Prayer-book itself, and in the offices 

 appointed for her worship. On the walls of many of their cities is this inscription : 

 ©soTo'xe TTupQevs /3o>j'Sei tuvtv, rn noXsi, ( Virgin, mother of God, help this city;' and you will 

 find not only in temples, but every where in private families that are of any note, and in 

 public passages, especially at Mount Athos, lamps continually burning before her picture 

 far oftener than before Christ himself, or any one of the saints." — Covel's Greek Church, 

 p. 376. 



