OCCUPATION OF GALICIA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2263, 24 September 1914, Page 7

OCCUPATION OF GALICIA

The Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne gave official recognition to tho triumph of tho Russian arms in Galicia on a recent Sunday morning, when a, large congregation, representative of the Greeks and Russians in the city, listened to the chanting of the Doxology. The assemblage included M. D'Ambaza, Consul-General for Russia. It will be remembered that Austria completely absorbed Galicia in 1846. Sixty-eight years of Austrian dominance have passed, and now tho territory is re-united with Russian Poland. The church was effectively decorated with the flags.of the Allies. Tho bluo aiid white colours of Greece swathed in huge brass candlesticks before the altar, while a flag of the same nation hung at the entrance to the sanctuary. Tho fumes of inconso clouded the atmoephere, and the flames of candles gleamed upon the beautiful brass "candelabra. The choir intoned the Doxology, and the priest (Rev. Th. Androuchopulos), in his glittering golden cope and black headdress, faced the congregation. Three altar boys, surpliced in White and bluo, stood at the edgo of the dais. The intoning ceased. The priest, roirioving his headdress, knelt in front of a picture of tho Virgin. The congregation knelt too. Tho priest prayed for the Divine care of the King and Queen of Greece, tho King and Queen of Groat Britain, and tho Emperor and Empress of Russia. In loud tones ho fltied: "Heavenly Father, we return tiianks that through Thy unchallenged an'd unbeaten power, Thou hast rewarded the allied nations with victory against the opposing forces. AVo entreat Thoe, Sun of Justice, to givo strength to tho pious Emperor of all tnc Kussiae, Nicholas , , aiid his co-opor-atiiiß army. Preserve and strengthen the allied nations. Give them lasting victory, in order that their triumph i;iay hasten tho peace of, the world. From Thco comes every good gift and the perfeci boons of life, now and over, through the ages to ages. Amen." Priest and congregation rose. "Zitol" tho priest cried, and this.equivalent to.the English "Hurrah I" camo from hundreds of throats. The cry sounded again and again. Descending swiftly from the dais, tho priest embraced tho Russian Consul. . With this dramatic action 'tl» service eadodi