GREEK SERVICE. 129 



nerally used throughout Turkey, although both 

 wood and iron instruments are sometimes sus- 

 pended in the same monastery for this purpose. 

 We joined a small congregation of about fifteen 

 men, women, and children. Guided by the 

 priest's wife, we descended two or three steps 

 into a dark vaulted building, very poorly de- 

 corated and painted, not in keeping with the 

 importance and veneration attached to the spot 

 by the Greeks. The portrait of the saint 

 stood nearly in the centre on a rough pedestal 

 of masonry. On one side of it was a tray of 

 small wax tapers, and on the other a similar 

 plate for the sums deposited by those who, as 

 a particular act of devotion, burnt one during 

 service. When a votive taper was lighted, the 

 offerer stuck it on a stand placed for the purpose 

 behind the picture, facing the congregation, or 

 western end of the Church. All who entered 

 after us went through a series of prostrations 

 in front of the picture, kissing the pavement 

 each time in the manner of the Turks. After 

 the prostrations the picture was approached, 

 and repeatedly kissed before the devotee took his 

 place with the rest of the congregation to join 

 in the service then going on. It lasted about 



K 



