| Priest Blesses Cossacks Before Battle | ||
|---|---|---|
| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 6248 |
| Catalog #: | 369122 | |
| Clip Number: | 369122-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | ON406O | |
| Timecode: | ||
| Location: | Caucasus | |
| Year Shot: | ||
| Audio: | No | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | CEREMONIES: Military WORLD WAR ONE, MILITARY: Misc. | |
| Description: | Same as catalog # 365591 World War One; religion; military. Religious ceremony held outdoors; in which a Russian Orthodox priest blesses Cossacks before they go into action in the Caucausus. The Cossacks (with long belted coats and hair cut very short or shaved off) file past; each stopping; bending over a table; and kissing something on it; perhaps the Bible; then they step to the right; and priest touches their head with a ceremonial object that looks like a large paintbrush or a feather duster; finally; they step again to right and kiss something else which is held up by another guy in a Cossack long coat. Next; the priest walks along row of Cossack soldiers; with several military men following; the man closest to him carries a bucket of something like holy water. The priest dips the brush into the bucket repeatedly and shakes it at the soldiers in the row; flinging it about in the most astounding squandering of holy water I have ever seen; it may be disrespectful to say so but it's really quite funny. Priest reading while Cossacks stand; raising their right arms as in making a pledge or oath. Shot of priest blessing the flag; making motions in front of it. | |
WPA FILM LIBRARY
