The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-24 00:00:00

THE BENEDICTION OF THE NEVL

The Times Correspondent at fit. Petersburg rends over the 1
following itdereating particulare ol the Benediction of the ;
Neva:—
The ceremony of the Benediction of the Neva was
performed on Sunday at eleven o'clock. There was a
service in the Imperial Chapel of the Winser Palace
at which the Metropolitans of Novgorod, St. Peters-
burg, and Mo,cow officiated. The Czar, the Imperial •
Family, and the Foreign Princes were present; and the '
diplomatic circle, the Ministers of State, and the nobles '
and officers of the Russian Army and Navy, to the
number of about 4,000, filled the chapel and the saloon
and corriders of the Winter Palace. The service in-doors
lasted an hour and was solemn and splendid. The fine
singing and recitative of the Russian ritual, the rich
robes of the dignitaries, the pomp of silken embroidered
banners, of golden crosses and jewelled cuffs, the long
curling hair and dignified countenances of the Metro-
politans and Bishops, of the priests; and choristers
made the ecclesiastical pert of the ceremony very
gorgeous and 4napressive. To this was added the
magnificence of a thousand uniforms. A better op-
portunity for witnessing the lavish splendour of the
ceremonies at the Winter Palace one could not have
than the passage of the Emperor, the Imperial
Family, the foreler. Princes, the clergy, and the
Court, from the Palace to the Pavilion by the
riverside. The mass and colour of the great procss-
lion as it descended the grand staircase and tra-
versed the corridors between lines of soldiery present-
lug arms was magnificent. The clergy walked first,
with the choir of the Imperial Chapel, carrying candles
and censers and singing vermin After the Metropolitann
and their crosabearers and attendants there wasa break
in the line, and then followed the Czar, the Prince of
Wales, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Edinburgh. the
Cesarewitch, the Grand Duke, and all the Court, every
one walking bareheaded. Lastly came the flags of the
regiments, carried by soldiers. The procession passed
out of the river entrance of the Palace, across the quay
to a pavilion built at the edge of the frozen Neva.
There the cross was dipped into the water where the
ice had been broken, and the river received the bene-
diction of the Metropolitan to the thunder of the guns
of the fortresses of St. Peter and St. Paul. Then
followed a service of singing and chanting, and next
the colours of the regiments were blessed. The
Czar, the Grand Duke, and others kissed the hand
of the Metropolitan and the procession returned to
the Palace as it came, the Prince of Wales and the
Cesarevitch walking near the Czar. A space was kept
clear on the quay, but the crowd pressed close, the
women holding their children tip. to see the Emperor.
Hie Majesty paused before entering the Palace, bowing
and looking towards the surging bareheaded DAM/ of
his people. The Emperor and Court having returned
to Vie great dining-room, the colours of the regiments
were presented, bands playing the regimental air as each
flag was brought. The passages. stairways, and saloons
were kept by the splendid troops, cuirassiers, and
infantry of the guard, and sailors were drawn up in
squadrons and companies on the Parquet floors. The
Emperor and l'rinces walked rapidly round the lines,
the Imperial salutation of "Health to you " being
• returned by the troops speaking all together, accord-
ing t a the Rueeian military form. The ceremony
was followed by a dejedner, tables in several grand
saloons bsing spread with the splendid profusion for
I which the Winter Palace is famous.
The Dike of Edinburgh did not attend the cere-
monial in the open air, his Hey al Highness harim;
a 144.1 cold. The Grind Duke Conbtantino was
! kept away from the same cause.