Still there were to be seen here and there indications of discontent.

An ecclesiastical council was held at Vladimir, in the year 1274.

All the bishops of the north of Russia were assembled to rectify certain abuses which had crept into the church.

A copy of the canons then adopted, written upon parchment, is still preserved in the Russian archives.
"What a chastisement," exclaim the bishops, "have we received for our neglect of the true principles of Christianity! God has scattered us over the whole surface of the globe.

Our cities have fallen into the hands of the enemy.