ABSTRACT
Towards the end of the 16th century, a large body of the Greek Church separated itself from the orthodox or state establishment, and, under the name of the Uniate or United Greek Church, embraced the Roman Catholic faith. It being of importance to the Government to root out this branch of schism, the usual machinery of persecution was speedily put in motion for that purpose. Laws of various kinds were passed against the Catholics, which in due time produced the desired result. In 1839, the whole body of the Uniate signed an act of recantation, and were received into the bosom of the orthodox church. Among those who recanted Bishop Siemaszko was conspicuous, and as one proof of his zeal he undertook the task of converting the Basilian nuns of Minsk. He first tried preaching, but finding that would not do, he selected a far more peremptory method, and went with a troop of soldiers to the convent, offering to the nuns their choice of renouncing their religion or being sent to Siberia, and they chose the latter alternative, The ladies were marched through the town followed by the tears and lamentations of the people, to whom they had shewn much kindness. Once out of the town, they were chained in couples, and with irons on their hands and feet were marched seven days until they reached Witebsk, where they were placed in a, convent of Czermick, or Black nuns, chiefly widows of Russian soldiers, and appointed servants to the inmates.
