The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RUSSIAN JEWISH STORY

TWO JEWS DECIDED TO BECOME CHRISTIANS. BOTH ENTERED A
CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING. NEITHER KNEW HOW TO MAKE THE
SIGN OF THE CROSS. MOSHA TELLS LOBIE TO ASK THE PRIEST
HOW THEY CAN BECOME CHRISTIAN. THE PRIEST REPLIES, "THAT
IS NOT DIFFICULT AT ALL MY SON. IN FACT WE HAVE A
PRIEST NOW IN CHURCH THAT CAN PERFORM THE CEREMONY."
MOSHA GOES INTO THE BAPTISTERY AND COMES OUT ABOUT
TWENTY MINUTES LATER. HE APPROACHES LOBIE WHO IS
STANDING AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH AND LOBIE SAYS TO
MOSHA: "WELL, MOSHA, DID THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS?" MOSHA GIVES LOBIE A
DISGUSTED LOOK AND SAYS, "MY NAME IS NOT MOSHA, BUT
IVAN PETEROFF, AND WHY DID YOU JEWS CRUCIFY OUR
CHRIST?"

Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW

Date learned: 00001905-1910