Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 1, 1851).djvu/260

70 because it is a festival; but under the demands of human nature, these animals may be killed.

Is it lawful to preserve for a whole year the sacrament that has been consecrated in Passion week? Answer: Let it be preserved in a clean vessel; but when the priest administers it to a sick man, let him add a little wine to it.

Is it lawful, in administering the communion to the sick, to add water to the wine? Answer: The wine alone is sufficient.

Is it lawful to administer the sacrament to demoniacs and to insane persons? Answer: Let their mouths only be touched with the sacrament.

Is it lawful for a priest, who has a wife in child-bed, to repeat prayers over her as he would over the wives of laymen? Answer: No,—for that custom is not retained in Greece, unless in case no other priest can be found.

What should be eaten on the day of the exaltation of the holy cross? Answer: Monks may not eat fish; but laymen, who have that day kissed the holy cross, may eat meat, unless it happen to fall on Friday or Wednesday.

Are little infants to receive the communion after baptism? Answer: They may receive it in the church during the performance of service, or while vespers are being sung.

What kind of food is to be eaten during the great fast? Answer: On Sundays and Saturdays, fish; but on other days, ikhri, that is, fishes’ entrails. In the great week, monks should eat honey, and drink kwas, that is, acid water.

In the consecration of the Kuthia, how many wax-lights should be burned? Answer: Two for the souls of the dead, three for the health of the living.

How should Kuthia be made? Answer: Three parts should be of cooked barley, the fourth of peas, beans, and vetches, also cooked. It should be seasoned with honey and