2-888-087 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

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.