Syria from the saddle . -light like a goldenhalo. He wore thigh-boots and a fur-trimmed fur cap was in one hand, and in the other he helda thick lighted candle that was covered with picturesrepresenting the Nativity, the Adoration, and the Cruci-fixion. He kissed these pictures, one by one, fromtime to time, his simple, unintelligent face and blueeyes alight with a sort of ecstasy. A feeble old womanheld one of his arms, and once or twice he gave her thecandle to kiss. An observer has only to go amongthese peasants and note their simplicity and their cred-ulous love for sacred thing
Syria from the saddle . -light like a goldenhalo. He wore thigh-boots and a fur-trimmed fur cap was in one hand, and in the other he helda thick lighted candle that was covered with picturesrepresenting the Nativity, the Adoration, and the Cruci-fixion. He kissed these pictures, one by one, fromtime to time, his simple, unintelligent face and blueeyes alight with a sort of ecstasy. A feeble old womanheld one of his arms, and once or twice he gave her thecandle to kiss. An observer has only to go amongthese peasants and note their simplicity and their cred-ulous love for sacred things to believe all accounts oftheir behavior at Easter when the heaven-sent fireis shown. The Greek Christmas rites are much thesame as those of the Latins, but somewhat less elaborate,and, to me, less impressive. We came upon Domian, Jamals partner (a first-rate dragoman, and perhaps the handsomest man inPalestine) on our way from the church. He is a Greekby birth and religion. I asked if he were not going toattend SYRIA FROM THE SADDLE. 297 Not now, sir, he replied. I am on a round ofvisits to certain friends. We Greeks here in Syriahave a custom of calling, Christmas day, on any of ourfriends who chance to be named Asa. For according toour faith, Asa is one of the names of Jesus; and wego to-day to pay our respects to all who bear that name.
Size: 1167px × 2143px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidsyriafromsad, bookyear1896
