New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-01-12

TnE MARRIAGE CEREMONY IN RussIA.-The marriage
ceremony however solemn may be accounted MS Of
the offices OF the church cloaked with theatrical ef
iect as to lose much of its spiritual sanetity, l.
seem that the external senses rather than the fe
the heart end mind, We're to be wrought upon OF
It is considered that the feelings only mpree. by
the agency of the Be this it may marriage is
drawingroom under priestly auspices lay frivo
tiles intermnged with ecclesiastical pageantry and
theatrical effect is enhanced by its being evening per-
formance The exterior of the church is illuminated but
the briaucy outside is ecpsed by the blaze of the nte
rior which, studded with the candles and chandeliers,
looks more like saloon Of pleasure than temple of
ship The guests and friends invited to be appear
in full dress and marhaed to the respective side of
the building appropriated to them by master of the
emonies appointed fof the occasion the friends of each
OF the contracting parties being grouped together
either side leaving the centre reeor there neither
pews any kind in the Russian churches The
entrance of the bridegroom is welcomed by chant from
the choristers who take leading part in the ceremony
no instrumental music being allowed in Greek churches
and bridesmaid Immediately hurrie to the residence of
the bride to notify her that her intended is awaiting her
This often intimated gracefully and silently by the pre-
sentation OF a boquet of flowers
On the brides arrival the choristers again chanted
welcome and she takes her place her friends The
dress of the bride is sumpuous jewels and the
costly articles make it, If the Of her family ad
init of such display She ushered into the assembly
by kind of procession, headed by her family
bearing before him the richly picture
saint which is destined to occupy of her future
apartment and which during the ceremony placed
the high altar reading desk covered with
silk and ornamented with silver fringe and lace placed
in the centre of the pasuet at which the priest ocate
The service is long and consists in reading lives
Abraham and Sarah exhortation to the new couple
and much singing The rings are exchanged at the be-
trotha aud therefore that symbol forms no part of the
service The pair bearing lighted tagers in their hands
and having large gilt crowns held their heads walk
thrice around the altar graspng the priests robes and
during the exhoraton they stand large piece of rich
silk which becomes the perquisite of the priest This por
ton OF the ceremony being concluded the sacrament is
administered and the married couple proceed the
grand altar where they PROSTATE themselves with fore
heads to the ground before the various pictures of the
saints and kiss them with many crossings and genu
hexons.
The congratulations of the friends follow the line
of demskation is broken through and all parties
bled, both and kiss each other brilliant
supper awaits the whole party at the house generally OF
the parents OF the BRIDE dancing is kept up late
hour and not unfrequeny the pleasures Of the table de-
generate into excess Superstition admits Of only certain
days for the performance of the marriage
being taken to avoid the of any fast particular
prayer day Previous to the marriage the betrothed par
ties naturally subject the quizzugs and sly jokes of
their friends including very singular custom to which
they expected conform At the dinner table if any
one on filling his glass cries 'Gorkoe, gorkoe" (btter
bitter the bridegroom elect is considered bound
edy the alleged evil by kissing his intended life in
Russia