The nationality of the Servian church

After the dissolution of the Patriarchate of Ipck, the cloisters of the old Kingsespecially the cloister Detsliiani, situated not far from that place, where the father of Stephan Dushan had erected his marble church  inspired a veneration and respect by which all the Servian tribes were united.

For this very reason the Turkswho regard religion as a source of revenue  have at times been guilty of severe extortions from the cloister; well knowing that the liberality of the people would meet their demands.

The nationality of the Servian church is further proved by the fact, that the ancient native names have invariably been preserved in it; while among other Sclavonian tribes, the names of saints of the calendar were substituted. Hence it may be in-ferred, that the idea of a universal Christian Church would not have prevailed in Servia.

In the popular opinions of all European countries, traces of an ancient veneration of nature are found : but, for the most part, only as scattered fragments without connexion; perhaps not well understood originally, and now unintelligible.

Among the Servians, the whole year is replete with rites, indicating the mysterious relation in which man stands to nature; more especially in such a primitive mode of life. Let us for a moment turn our attention to the subject.

In winter, just before Lent, the great festival in honour of the Dead is celebrated; at which every one solemnises the memory of his departed relations and friends; and no sooner does Paint Sunday arrive, than the people join in commemorating the reno-vation of life. On the preceding Saturday the maidens assemble on a hill, and recite poems on the resurrection of Lazarus; and on Sunday, before sunrise, they meet at the place where they draw water, and dance their country dance; chanting a song, which relates how the water becomes dull by the antlers of a stag, and bright by his eye.

The water freed from ice and snow, being the first harbinger of the renovated year, they commence with these symbolical rites. On the eve of St. George’s festival, towards the end of April, the women gather young flowers and herbs ; then catching the water cast from a mill-wheel, they throw into it the flowers and herbs, and let both remain during the night, for the purpose of bathing in the water the next morning. This rite apparently signifies that they now surrender themselves to the influence of awakened nature; and on its performance they consider the preservation of their health depends.