The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-11-24
A RUSSIAN RRInhI.

" Ivan lyanoVitch and Prescoyia Constant.
novna lyanoil humbly regues, the favor of your
attendance TO the MARI age cercmon, OF their
daughter Anne lyanowna with NichoIas Den,et.
rich BorrlsSow and TO the dinner iabe, this Nov.
12th day, IN the year 1927, At , o'clock in the af-
ernoon.'
f., lhIs was the form Of an invitation which re-.
! ceived to a wedding. On the embossed horde,
OF the card, deilcat ~ edged with rose color. the
embiemafic hgufe OF Eymen was Represented
on the one side standing under a palm tree. he.
tween The sleeping dogs OF 6JelIty. and inviting
from the other side the fgures OF the bride and
bridegroom. learned that the parties wen
wealthy Russian hemp-cotnmission-agents. and
most excellent people and, as such an invita-
ton promised to afford me an opportunity OF
witnessing the church marriage OF
which | had read SO many dissimilar accounts, !
gladly accepted it.
At two. the friends of the parties assembled
from all quarters in the inter church Of the An.
nunciaiion in the Vassalistrow, where a erea,
concouTse OF people had collected round the cho.
%risters, who, in the most delightful manner ima-
glnable, and IN the fuga style. were singing
hymns, mixing with skilful combination tho so.
pranos and bass voices.
The officiating priest, decorated in lis rich
church vestmcnts, accompanied by the deacon,
advanced from the sanctuary towards the doc,
of entrance into the church, and there received
the pair about to be made happy, 10 whom he deli
vered a lighted taper, making, al the same time
the sign of the cross thrice on their foreheads
and conducted them TO the upper part OF tho
nave incense was scattered before them. while
malhs' spieud'dly attitrd, walked between the
pyranympha, or bridegroom and bride
creek ch"rch requires notthe presence of either
Oh tne parents N the bride on such an occasion
Is 10 spare V1em the pain of voluntarily sur
rendering every authority over their child to one
who is q stranger to her blood Z | stood by the
side ut thu table on which were deposited the
rings, and before which the priest halted at the
conclusion Of a litany, wherein the choristers a..
sisted, and from which he pronounced, in a loud
and Impressive voice, ar appropriate PRAYER
his face being turned towards the sanctuary
and the bride and bridegroom placed an
mcdiateiy behind him, holding their lighted ia
pers.
The priest next turning round 10 the counle
blessed them, and taking The rings from the "a
bile, gave one to each, Beginning with the man
and proclainling aloud that theyfsiood be,rolhec
q NOW and forever, even unto ages of ages
which declaration he repeated thrice TO them
while they mutually exchanged their rings an e
quail number OF times. The rings were now n
gain surrendered TO the priest, who crossed IN,
forehead OF The couple with them, and put then
on the fore finger oil the right hand Of each an,
turning TO the sanctuary. read another iu,pres
J sive part Of the service. in which an nliu,iou
made to al the circumstances in the How, re.
lament, where a ring is mentioned as die plrde
ofunion. honor aud power, and graysd for
blessing on the I'm ION Of the pardes.
The priest now taking hoiyof the hands t,
both parties. led them forward and caused ,her
10 ftand on a sllken carpet, which lay spread II,
fore them.-Fhe Congregation usually watch III
mompnt with inlehse curiosity, for il is ur,e
that the psrty which steps 6ist on the ricl, br.
caac viii have the mastery over the Other ttroue
life. In the present case, our far bride secure
possession of This presc,iptiye privilege vii
mntcst forwardnsSs 1.-Two siIver ,tnperi
erswns were next produced bv n lay mau, whic
! ~ rriest roc,,. and d,st blessing the Lrrl