Page:John Feoktist Dudikoff - Beasts in Cassocks (1924).djvu/17

 been appointed Patriarch of all Russia. As Patriarch he must be completely exonerated of all charges against him. Since both the clergy and laymen in Russia know about your affair, you must clear Platon of your accusations. In order to do that, you must copy and sign this written confession." At first T was stupefied, and then I asked Father Richlov: "Why, does the Greek-Orthodox Church permit such written confessions?" Richlov said: "Not only are written confessions permissible here in America, but at present they are required. It you don't sign this confession, you may bid farewell to your money as well as to all hope for my assistance."

Father Richlov handed me a rough draft of the "written confession" which I have preserved among my papers as documentary evidence. It was in the handwriting of Father Richlov himself and read as follows:

"Your Right Eminence, Bishop and Metropolitan Platon! Merciful Archpriest and Father! I herewith confess, as before the Lord God Himself and before your Eminence, that I have been guilty before you: 1) I confess in writing that I have never given you any money; 2) That I have insulted you in vain with my letters and personal calls in Russia and America. I attest that both you and I were dupes of unscrupulous men; 3) I entreat you on my bended knees to forgive me. I have suffered a nervous breakdown from the horrors of the Revolution. Bless me with your Holy Evangel, and may I learn to be humble and patient. Pardon me, the sinful and unworthy one, and I swear that to my dying day, I shall never make any more demands on you. Please pray with your holy orisons for me. Your Spiritual Son,

(Signed) "

When I read through the "confession:" I was spellbound. FatherRichlov, seeing that I was at a loss, remarked: "If you don't sign this before a notary, not only will your money be withheld, but we will arrest and deport you to Russia, leaving your wife here as a hostage, or else …" Here Richlov took a card from his pocket and shoved it under my very nose. On the card I saw the following symbols: a skull, a revolver and, between them, a bomb. I stared at Father Richlov, and he added threateningly: "If you don't care to make a closer acquaintance with these, do as you are told."

I was in dire need at the time, especially since my wife was about to go to a lying-in hospital. I was without work, without money, with-