RUSSIAN SUPERSTITION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 23, 22 October 1907, Page 3

RUSSIAN SUPERSTITION.

■ An appalling instances of the survival'-of /ncdiaoval'. superstition is related by the "Russkiya Viedomosti,"- one of tho most trustworthy newspapers in the empire. ; In tho village of Sysocvo, provinco of Mohilelf, a young woman 'named Mario Gorhachevska, gavo birtli last year to a son. Bcforo tho birth of the child she learned that her husband, a time-expired soldier, named Emilian Gorhachevska, was in the habit of visiting the neighbouring wizard, and decided in her own mind that the baby Was the child of tho devil. This was the opinion likewise of tho lo6al saint, Michael Kolchev&ky, an ascetic and frail young man of twenty-three, ' who seems to have unbounded influence over his neighbours. Ho meditated for a year and a ,nonth, and at ton o'clock on the night mentioned summoned his neighbours to a meeting. The adults from all the thirty-five huts were present. Two wero ox-elders of tho church, one a veteran of the Russo-Turkish war. Half of the audience were ablo to read and write. Michael, in a low voice, bade his wife light the remnants of tho sacred candles brought homo at Easter, then rose and began-to pray. At the cud of his prayer he said decisively, "Wo must oxtorminato 'Anti-christ. 1 " "We ought to ask the Little--' Father," (ioriieono timidly ventured, referring to tho parish priest. • "No, no; that is not necessary;" answered Michael. "We are going to find him and destroy him with prayer, and then Russia will have peace. It has been made known tome that the Unclean Spirit is hidden in our village." ' .'• Nobody tried to withstand tho holy man. With sacred candles in their hands, with Icons and llibles, as in a religious procession, they quietly stepped out into the darkness. ■"'■You confess your sin-"' asked Michael gently, as ho passed Emilian. They were playmates as children. "Korgivc me and pray for me,", answered Emilian. Twenty-two men and five women followed their leader, crossing themselves and hurriedly praying. Stopping bcforo Emilian's hut, Michael solemnly said, "The enemy of tho human race is here. Open." The child was found in its cradle, laid upon the floor, and done to death, [