The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Muscovites.

1. When the sick is departed, the Relations stand about the body, and excite one another to bemoan him, asking the Deceased, why he would

die? Were his affairs in a good condition? Did he want meat and drink? Was not his wife hand∣som or young enough? Or not faithful to him? &c.

2. They send a present of Beer, Hydromel and Aqua-vitae to the Priest, that he may pray for the Soul, &c.

3. They wash the Body, put on a clean Shirt, and new Russia-Leather Shoes, and lay him in the Coffin, with his Arms Cross the Breast.

4. The Coffin (made of the Trunk of a Tree) is covered with a Cloth, or some Coat of the De∣ceased, and carried to Church, with this Solemni∣ty and Order.

1. First the Priest carrying the Image of the Saint, assign'd the Deceased at Baptism.

2. Next, four Virgins, next a-kin, filling the Air with horrid Cries, and keeping time in their Elevations, and Cadencies one with another.

3. Next the Corps, carried by six Men, the Priests incensing it all the way, to keep off evil Spirits, and withal singing Psalms.

4. Lastly, Kindred and Friends, but disor∣derly, with every one a Wax-candle in his Hand.

5. At the Grave, the Coffin is uncovered, the Image held over him, certain Prayers said, with these words oft repeated,—Lord look upon his Soul in Righteousness; the Widow continuing her La∣mentations, with the same questions mentioned before.

6. They Kiss the Corps, or the Coffin; and the Priest puts a piece of Paper between his Fin∣gers, which is a kind of Testimonial, or Passe for his Admittance into the other World, sign'd by the Patriarch, &c. and Sold by the Priest.

The Form thus,

(We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed (the Patriarch, or Metropolitan) and Priest of the City of N— do make known and certify by these Presents, that the Bearer of these our Letters

hath always lived among us, like a good Christian, professing the Greek Religion; and tho he hath committed some Sins, yet he hath confessed the same, and received Absolution, and taken the Communion, for the Remission of his Sins;— hath Honoured God and his Saints;—hath said his Prayers; and Fasted on the Hours and Days ap∣pointed by the Church; and hath carried himself so well towards me his Confessor, that I have no reason to complain of him, nor to deny him the Absolution of his Sins. In witness whereof we have given him the present Testimonial, to the End, that upon sight thereof, S. Peter may open to him the Gate of Everlasting Bliss.

This done, the Coffin is shut up, and put in the Grave, with the Face Eastward: They Mourn forty Days, and Feast on the third, because then the Face is disfigured; on the second, because then the Body begins to Putrify; and on the twentieth, because then the Heart Corrupts. Some build Huts over the Grave, and cover them with Mats, because the Priest, Morning and Evening, for six Weeks, Prays over the Grave. The D. of Hol∣stein's Embas. Travels,