Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/45

Rh "Help," &c. and "Σοφία" (Wisdom), and the rest, whilst the Minister is reading the Εὐχήν. After the Proclamation, he repeats again, "For the salvation" &c. and "For this church," "For the moderation of the weather," "For those who are travelling by sea," and "For our salvation," and "Help," and "Σοφία," and so on, whilst the Minister is finishing the Εὐχήν. Their retinue and humility are very great; and their Μετάνοιαs (prostrations) down to the ground are frequent:—I am speaking of the Greek Clergy who assist at mass, and particularly of their behaviour at the moment of taking the holy mysteries. The deacon mentions the name of the Patriarch, whilst he carries the body. At the end of the mass the two Patriarchs distributed the Ἀντίδωρα (sanctified bread), each on his own side. At their departure from the church, the torch-bearers repeated the same words as they had done the evening before; and the Patriarch's Janissaries constantly preceded them, walking on to clear the way before them, with their swords and staves. On this day there was also a banquet, from which we did not return home till the evening. On the eve of the Feast of St. Demetrius we assisted at vespers in the church of the Monastery, which is dedicated to St. George.

In the morning, the Patriarch sent to our master two of the Metropolitans, and the Πρωτοσύγγελος, and the Chief of the Deacons, who conducted him to the Patriarchal church; and, after mass, he took him again to dine with him. It may be observed, that our Christian brethren of the Greek nation, wherever they are, all fast the Lent of St. Demetrius, beginning with the first day of the month Teshrin the first, and abstaining entirely from (الزفر) fat till the day of his festival. In like manner they fast for Saint Michael, from the first of Teshrin the second, for the space of eight days. They have also many other Lents, besides these, for other Saints: which, please God, we will hereafter mention.

This is the description of the Patriarchal church in Constantinople, dedicated by name to St. George. Before it is a court-yard; and on the north side is a succession of pent-houses, where the Writers of the Patriarch have their dwelling. In front of the church is a large pent-house, from which you descend into it by steps. This church is of the usual form of Catholic churches, having three compartments, each with a cupola. It has a second door going out from the pent-house on the north side. Over this compartment the women are stationed; but they have an outward door into the street. The church contains three tabernacles, and is very spacious. The chairs of the choir are in two equal rows, Rh