By and by the Patriarch entered. He talked first with some of the priests, so I had a good chance to study him. Imagine a tall, full-bearded, fair-faced man of middle age dressed in a long black gown and a rimless black hat which rises eight inches over his forehead. The gown, which is cut full, falls to his feet. His cap is draped with black cloth which covers his shoulders, and about his neck is a long, heavy gold chain to which hangs an ivory medallion as big as the palm of your hand. The rim of this medallion is studded with diamonds and inside the rim is a painting of the Madonna with the Holy Child in her arms. I watched the Patriarch as he talked. He gestured now and then and I saw that his hands were soft and his nails well kept. His face changed with the subject and the man he spoke to. At times he was serious, again his eyes sparkled with animation, and now and then he broke into a smile. My talk with him was through the Greek priest, who spoke English. I asked His Beatitude about the condition of the Church. He spoke of many sects of Christians now in the Holy Land, saying that they were gradually growing more liberal, and that they would work more in harmony than they had in the past. I asked about the life of the priests and whether he thought it was as pious as that of the hermits who lived in the second and third centuries after Christ. He replied that he doubted whether man was as good now as then, but that the Church was doing what it could to bring him back to the faith. He said he believed that the time would come when all mankind would be Christian, although that time would probably be far in the future. I was surprised to hear him speak well of the Protestants and say that all Christian sects would eventually unite and work together as one for the salvation of man. His Beatitude was much interested in America and at my request gave me the blessing which he gives to all true believers, saying that I must transmit it to the American people, each of whom could regard it as being made especially for him. This blessing was given to me in a golden frame. The words are printed in Greek in letters of gold. Literally translated, it reads: Almighty God, the Father of Mercy and God of Prayer, bless, purify, and strengthen these Thy disciples who now bow before Thee. From every wicked work withdraw them, and in every right action give them Thy aid. Make all things smooth to each according to his wants. Be with those travelling upon the water and upon the land. Comfort the poor and heal the sick. We praise Thee, Our Father, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the source of all graciousness and glory. And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.