ABSTRACT
A small religious epidemic, but one nevertheless unique in its manifestations, developed recently in the Novogrud district of Minsk Province. One of the peasant women had always been notable for her extreme piety. She prayed long and frequently, sang spiritual songs, and avoided her friends. This created a halo of divine grace around her. Once, according to her request, the Most Holy God’s Mother appeared to her and ordered her to remain a virgin forever. This agitated her friends, who, gathering around her, began to pray zealously together with psalms which lasted the whole night.
