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Priest of the Greek Church reading the Gospel at the Altar, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Priest of the Greek Church reading the Gospel at the Altar, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Priest of the Greek Church reading the Gospel at the Altar, 1850. After the consecration of the Church, the Gospel was read by the officiating priest [the Rev. Mr. Morfinos], four boys standing before him holding wax tapers, each in a surplice having a blue cross worked on the back...The same youthful attendants preceded the priest when he brought the elements of the Holy Sacrament from the side altar whereon they had been placed, and put them, with great ceremony, on the high altar. A most striking portion of the ceremony of the mass is when the curtain is drawn before the altar, whilst the priest reads the prayers for the sanctification of the sacrament. These the priest reads silently and alone; and at their conclusion he advances, draws the curtain on one side, and "bids peace to all the people, " and blesses them'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36214085
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Acolyte Acolytes Altar Candle Candles Choir Boy Choir Boys Choirboy Choirboys Clergy Ecclesiastical Dress Greek Orthodox Church Priest
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This 19th century photograph, taken from Illustrated London News in 1850, depicts a Priest of the Greek Church deeply engrossed in reading the Gospel at the Altar. The scene unfolds in a serene and sacred setting, with the priest dressed in traditional ecclesiastical attire, surrounded by the soft glow of candles held by four young acolytes. The image captures a moment of profound reverence, following the consecration of the Church. The Gospel, a symbol of the teachings of Jesus Christ, is held aloft by the priest as the boys, dressed in surplices adorned with blue crosses, stand attentively before him, each holding a wax taper. The ceremony of the mass is rich in symbolism and tradition. As the priest reads the prayers for the sanctification of the sacrament, a curtain is drawn before the altar, creating an air of mystery and awe. The priest reads these prayers silently and alone, and upon their completion, he emerges from behind the curtain, bidding peace to all the people and blessing them. This photograph offers a glimpse into the ecclesiastical practices of the Greek Orthodox Church during the Victorian era, providing a window into a time when religion played a central role in the lives of people in Britain and beyond. The image, though unattributed, is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the beauty of tradition.
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