Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/118

and for over a century after the capital of Christendom in the east surrendered, the liberties and institutions of the western nations were seriously threatened. In the year 1456 a comet passed very near the orbit of the earth, and swept the heavens with a tail extending over 60 degrees, in the form of a sword or saber. Men watched it with mingled emotions at Rome, Vienna and Constantinople. The night of the full moon having come, and then by chance an eclipse having taken place at the latter city, some thought that the Christian inhabitants of the west had agreed to march against the Turks, and would gain the victory. The Pope, however, regarded the comet as in league with the Moslems, and ordered the prayer "Ave Maria" to be repeated three times a day instead of twice. He directed the church bells to be tolled at noon, a custom which still prevails in Roman Catholic countries. To the "Ave Maria" the prayer was added, "Lord, save us from the devil, the Turk and the comet." Every first Sunday of the month a solemn procession was appointed, with a special mass, and a sermon upon the subject. The comet at length, after patiently enduring some months of daily excommunication, showed signs of retreat, and Europe breathed more freely when it vanished from the skies.