MOCK MARRIAGE IN RUSSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 August 1919, Page 6

MOCK MARRIAGE IN RUSSIA.

The Bo]ShCV’iSfs are seeking to destroy religion by bringing it into contempt_ According to :1 message from Reutei-’s correspondent they conducted in a church with all ceremonial a mock marriage between an aged priest and a mare. The choir was forced under threats of death to sing the psalms and 'canticles'of the Liturgy. Among the official publications of the lioseovx Soviet in st parody in ‘Verse of the church funeral service, Supposed to be performed over the \body of a dog. The llosdow Soviet. also has issued a pamphlet depicting the Sllpllose-l orgies of priests. In another church in the North Caucasus a bayonet was thrust. through an ikon in such a way as to bore a hole in the mouth of C}ll"i-.42.-,. and a cigarette was put in the .hhole_ Below was scribbled some ‘odious words.

A Moscow dispatch says that the Eolshevist leaders, in order to shake the faith of the masses, have caused the exhumation of the bones of Saint Tikhon and Saint Mitrofan.