Barrows, Samuel J.: The isles and shrines of Greece (Boston, 1898)

244 THE ISLES AND SHRINES OF GREECE

many tombs. As I wandered about the cemetery
I noticed a sort of round house filled with boxes and
bags. The boxes were closed and I had no clew to
their contents; but a few bones protruded from the
bags. A priest who stood near asked if I wished to
find the bones of any of my friends. I assured him
I did not. On questioning him I found that after
three years the dead are disinterred, and their bones
put in boxes or bags, properly tagged or numbered.
On this memorial day it is customary to ask for the
bones of departed friends or relatives, and to hold
services over them. If the bones are found to be
perfectly white when disinterred, it is a proof of
saintliness. This depositary of bones is called a
KOKKaXodrjicq. In some places the bones are heaped
together promiscuously, and medical students have no
difficulty in getting enough for a skeleton. Georgios
tells me that from Easter to Pentecost the soul is free
from punishment, and goes where it pleases, but after
that time must return to its usual abode.

VIII

AN ATHENIAN TETRADRACHMA

I HAVE a silver coin on my watch guard. The bright
face it bears is as unperturbed as it has been for two
thousand five hundred years. Think of a face pass-
ing through so many political contests of immense
importance, and yet maintaining its ineffable com-
posure ! But it is the image of a goddess, and one I
have long been accustomed to worship in a Christian