“The chanting of the confession is now closed by the officiating _tarmido_, and the high priest, the _Ganzivro_, resuming his former place in front of the Sacred Book, begins the recitation of the _Massakhto_, or ‘renunciation’ of the dead, ever directing his prayers toward the North Star, on which the gaze of the worshippers outside continues fixed throughout the whole of the ceremonial observances and prayers. This star is the _Olma d’noora_, literally ‘the world of light,’ the primitive sun of the Star-worshippers’ theogony, the paradise of the elect, and the abode of the pious hereafter. For three hours the reading of the ‘renunciation’ by the high priest continues, interrupted only, ever and anon, by the _Mshobbo havi eshmakhyo_, ‘Blessed be thy name,’ of the participants seated outside, until, toward dawn, a loud and ringing _Ano asborlakh ano asborli ya Avather_, ‘I mind me of thee, mind thou of me O Avather,’ comes from the mouth of the priest, and signalizes the termination of the prayers. “Before the North Star fades in the pale ashen grey of approaching dawn, a sheep, penned over night near the river, is led into the tabernacle by one of the four _shkandos_ for sacrifice to Avather and his companion deity, Ptahiel. It is a wether, for the Star-worshippers never kill ewes, or eat their flesh when killed. The animal is laid upon some reeds, its head west and its tail east, the _Ganzivro_ behind it facing the Star. He first pours water over his hands, then over his feet, the water being brought to him by a deacon. One of the _tarmidos_ takes up a position at his elbow and places his hand on the _Ganzivro’s_ shoulder, saying _Ana shaddakh_, ‘I bear witness.’ The high priest bends toward the North Star, draws a sharp knife from his left side, and, reciting the formula, ‘In the name of Alaha, Ptahiel created thee, Hibel Sivo permitted thee, and it is I who slay thee,’ cuts the sheep’s throat from ear to ear, and allows the blood to escape on to the matted reeds upon which the animal is stretched out. The four deacons go outside, wash their hands and feet, then flay the sheep, and cut it into as many portions as there are communicants outside. The pieces are now distributed among the worshippers, the priests leave the tabernacle in the same order as they came, and with a parting benediction from the _Ganzivro_, _Assootad d’hai havilakh_, ‘The benison of the living one attend thee,’ the prayer-meeting terminates, and the Star-worshippers quietly return to their homes before the crimson sun has time to peep above the horizon.”