170 
MOSCOW. 
chap. One day, ascending by this staircase, we found 
■ _ - j all the churches in the Kremlin open, and a 
iC'lin. prodigious concourse of people assembled at 
Slim ' the celebration of the Great Festival of the 
Ascension. It is difficult to describe the scenes 
exhibited within these buildings during festi- 
vals. We were carried in by a crowd which 
rushed forward like a torrent, and, being lilted 
by it from the ground, beheld, as we entered, a 
throng of devotees, in which there was danger of 
being pressed to death : all present were in 
motion, crossing themselves ', bowing their 
heads, and struggling who should first kiss the 
consecrated pictures. The bodies of Saints were, 
as usual, exposed ; and we were shewn, by the 
attending priests, some wood of £ the true Cross.' 
Women, with tears streaming from their eyes, 
lifted up their infants, and taught them to 
embrace the feet and hands of the images. 
Observing a crowd particularly eager to kiss the 
scull of an incorruptible saint, we asked a priest, 
in Latin, whose body the sepulchre contained. 
“ Whence are you," said he, “ that you know not the 
Tomb of St. Demetrius ?” 
Cl) The Russians cross themselves first on the Jorekcad, then on the 
breast, then on the right shoulder, then on the left shoulder; thereby 
completing the figure or a cross. This ceremony is performed with the 
thumb, the first, and the middle finger . the three fingers signifying the 
Trinity. 
