TOLSTOI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 5

TOLSTOI.

CONDEMNED BY THE RUSSIAN CHURCH. v HIS ATTACK ON THE CZAR. By Electric Telegragh. — Copyright. (Received Sept. T, 8.35 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 6. The Russian Holy Synod pronbunced Count Leo Tolstoi a backslider and ordered true believers to refrain from participating in the celebrations oi his 80th birthday. \ The Synod also directed priests to refute Tolstoi's writings* [In all probability Tolstoi has incurred the Church's disfavour by his recent attack on the Czar's Government. The Czar is the head of the Church and is regarded ' by , the. superstitious Russian peasant as being second only to tho Supremo Being. "The Little Father" he is called by his people. Tolstoi's influence has withstood the attacks of law courts and other powers of State, but it Is doubtful whether the Russian will g& against his supersti- j tions even for the sake of his great "guide, philosopher anil friend."]