B1011 <=> B1013 [BTG XLII Beelzebub in America, p. 1012]

“’As I have already said, these Russian Orthodox Christians even of the present time very strictly observe the seasons and the days of the fasts indicated in the aforesaid “codes.”

“’But as to what should and should not be consumed as food during a fast – just in that question “is buried the left paw of the curly-haired dog of the ex-Emperor Wilhelm.”

“’You will clearly understand how these contemporary Russian Orthodox Christians fast, if I repeat to you the exact words of one of these genuine Russian Orthodox Christians, spoken to me not long ago there in Russia.

“’I used to meet this Russian there on certain business and even became somewhat friendly with him and visited him in his home.

“’He was considered by those around him a very good Christian and the patriarchal father of a family; he was descended from what they call the “Old Believers.”’

“Here, my boy, you might as well know that certain of the beings who compose this large group, Russia, are called by the rest Old Believers.

“Old Believers is the name given to those Orthodox Christians whose ancestors several centuries ago declined to accept the new rules then laid down by somebody or other for Russian Orthodox Christians, but remained faithful followers of the previously existing rules also laid down by somebody or other, only a century or two before the given ‘religious schism’ such as usually occurs among them from time to time.

“’And so the said worthy Russian Old Believer’ – I continued to the young Persian – ‘once when we were dining together at his house in the company of several other Russians, also Orthodox Christians, turned to me and said: