They are generally profoundly ignorant of religious doctrine, and know little or nothing of Holy Writ.

A peasant, it is said, was once asked by a priest if he could name the three Persons of the Trinity, and replied without a moment's hesitation, "How can one not know that, Batushka?
Of course it is the Saviour, the Mother of God, and Saint Nicholas the miracle-worker!" That answer represents fairly enough the theological attainments of a very large section of the peasantry.

The anecdote is so often repeated that it is probably an invention, but it is not a calumny of theology and of what Protestants term the "inner religious life" the orthodox Russian peasant--of Dissenters, to whom these remarks do not apply, if shall speak later--has no conception.

For him the ceremonial part of religion suffices, and he has the most unbounded, childlike confidence in the saving efficacy of the rites which he practises.

If he has been baptised in infancy, has regularly observed the fasts, has annually partaken of the Holy Communion, and has just confessed and received extreme unction, he feels death approach with the most perfect tranquillity.