Page:The way of Martha and the way of Mary (1915).djvu/186

164 characteristic Russian "poor folk" gazing, praying, kneeling, crying. For a haloed Christ stands among the birch trees and receives all who will come to Him.

The Russian peasant believes that Christ wanders on his roads—

the heavenly King

Our mother Russia came to bless

And through our land went wandering;

and he is quite right, believing that. The thought, almost by itself, constitutes the idea of "Holy Russia."

The most beautiful picture in the church is the dedicatory Martha and Mary—"The Master is here and calleth thee" —a panel in front of which stood a sister all in white like a statue, little candles in front of her, a stout six-feet wax candle beside her.

A tall and portly priest with long hair, whimsical and gentle, took the service—Father Mitrophan; and he walked to and fro, now with the people, now behind the sacred gates. A score of sisters in black veils and with black crowns on their heads sang in the choir. A sister stood at a counter by the door and sold candles. A congregation of sisters, fashionable visitors, peasants, working-people, and beggars grouped themselves miscellaneously in the wide, open, light-filled body of the church. Of course there were no seats. It was pleasant to be there;