The New York herald., 1871-12-01
ALEXIS THANKSGIVING.
Fstnssay Dessrs.ee to American Ideas-An In
psrial Christian Meekly Worshipping
Asphvan Reception Point
TO Be Visited To-Day

Greek Chapel in Second avenue, to conform to our
republican cus'esn Of thanksgiving for mercles
past and TO pray for future blessings. Nor did tney
brighten crowd OF imperial worshippers, who held
their place the sidewalks for an Aour before his
arrival and during the half hour Hts Imperial High
mess was at prayers Owing to the grand ball at
the Academy, on Wednesday night, the Rev. Father
Bjerring cut the service short, as to avoid
completely firing out the Prince. There was also
another reascn-nameiy, that owing to the ice in
the aarbor the altar boys from the Svetlana were
unable to come on shore, and consequently
were not present to chant the ntary or re Deura.
The Chaplain OF the Sveuana, however, was
prcsent, anu, attred in black vestments, TOOK his
place at one OF the reading desks. while Father
BJerring and mis- assistant-a theological student
from St. Petersburg, not yet ordained-performed
the service. As on previous occasions,
THE PRAYERS WERE SAID IN ENGLISH.
by Rev. Mr.. Berring and scIavc by his assistant
The Scripture lesson the narrative Of the ten
lepers- from ST. Luke's Gospel-the same that was
read last Sunday.
The Grahd Duke Alexis, Admiral Possiet and Mr..
Uatacazy arrived together at eleven A. NJ and q
little later came the Russian Secretery OF Legation
and Consul Bodisco. Prince Galltzin was there In
aI ms ponderosity and glory OF decoration won
upon hard fought fields In the Crimea.
There were few other Russians Of lesser
note also present. together with some
Amercans-in- all twenty gentlemen ana
thirteen ladies. The service had been fixed for
halfpast ten A. NJ; but the Prince, probably learn
lag that eleven O'Clock was the American hour for
such service. ana being tired with his previous
nights entertainment, did not arrive at the first
mentioned hour. Pateatly the priests and the peO.
pie stood watching aud waiting for the coming OF
the imperial party. Some OF the watchers had seen
HIS Imperial Hignness oeiore aud some had not.
themselves
PICTURES OF rRtNCES AND DUkEs
such as one reads about in Old fairy tales must
have been sadly disappointed yesterday mo -nlng
when tall, graceful, mouest bearing ana gentle
manly aprearing Young man dressed In a walking
sun, with light trousers, black irockcoat and silk
hat, entered the door OF tue unpreientious little
chapel at a5l Second avenne, followed by his fleet
Admiral ana Mi. CatacaZy, similarly attireu. The
Prince was met at the door OF the chapel by the
officiating clergymen, Father Bjerrng, holding in
his hands golden crucifix with when he Llessed
the Prince, and 10 which the latter very plously
pressed his lips. The assistant priest held in mis-
cup, containing holy water and the asperging bunch
OF hyssop with which the Prince was sprinkled
The fingers OF ils right hand therein made sign
OF the cross on himself In the most pious and Chris
&an-like manner. lie then took MS position on the
right OF the cnapei and remained standing during
the service. Admiral Possiet occupied position In
rnpce, while NJ. Catacazy stood on the lett of the
Admiral, and behind them GOD the Otner noted
personages and the company OF the curious ones
LIVE FRINGE AT HIS PRAYERS
AT the close OF the service the priest again blessed
me Prince who also again very piously Kissed the
rruclnx.
ON the grand altar there lay .wo magnificently
wrought coverings of silk and velvet for the chalice
and 1or the vessel containing the sacramental
bread. These are made up IN the form OF a cross,
and the chalicecover has grapevlnes with branches
Of the irut beautifully embroidered IN gold and
irlnged with tassals OF gold. The other, also In The
,nwrought ON IL. Between these, and designed 10
cover notnat the mass, there a larger cloth
also embroidered with gold These are inc gift Of a
81, PETERSBURG.
have been used but twice in the Greek chapel
Greek church Oh Lexington avenue in the vicinity
Ol the present church. This Will he good news and
become so enamored or Russo Greek Catholicisln.
Next Sunday morning The Grand Duke Alexis
Il not known yet Whether any pesons VIII ns be-
admltIed TO that service beside the perial party
II SO cards viii lie required as lbey were yesterday
and the congreg alton, OF course, VIII be select,
The order OF full dress Is rigld!y exaced OF Russian
visitors on occasions like these, but
AMERICANS, BEING SoyEREIGN5 AND PRINCE0
much as they please, consistent with good breeding
and courtesy TO the august pcrsonagcs visiting
our land. II is not The custom Tor priests OF the
Greek Church TO preach: except on special occa-
ms audience. lie has been requested, however, TO
give some exposltory sermons on the drctrines and
customs OF the ortnodoX Greek Church. which he
has partly promised TO do, and ne may, therefore,
commence them next month. II is not, however,
ey f Ss bnas sS nor Who oy the
session, to stand up and talk 10 promiscuous con.
gregation for half an hour or more on empty
stomach. Nevertheless II the good OF the Church
requires It, no DOUBT Mr. Bjerrlng Will deuy himself
as he Is always ready to do for the sake OF others
When the service was completed the Grand Duke
and suite returned 10 the hotel and spent the re.
maInder OF the day in very quiet manner in his
apartments Last evening, in accordanc ce with pre-.
ylous arrangements ne attended reception given
in his honor at the residence Of MIR. W. Ii. Aspln-
wall. The party very select, none being invited
but the very elite OF the fash enable world or New
York. The Prince. as usual. arrived in excellent
time, and was accompanied by his own immediate
hIuls
turned to VI W. pGlsl: hserns,os TO wrsr POINT
ana It viii probably BE participated in BY large
number OF Invited guests Prenura,rymo rave been
mao MADE Sy the professors and cadets at West Point TO
reatve to the trip has beeu issued by the Reception
COMMITTEE
roa
A., TIE GRAND DuIE ALEXIS,
excursion up River o1 West IL honor
o. His Imperial iiehness the Grand Duke Aers take
The Reception commiiiee. steamer Mary Powell will
s Rs nG'h Al ETf st mime mime
Committee, with their ladies' guests ani membaPs OF
.ss sIsns ass ss w s be on hand at either
% ss nS ssr aa
bay VIII the hcds on fsts & sSsa for tie
Members Of the several committees equesed to wear
order Of the JAMES fo%6lsf sosfaoxERv
The programme OF the trip TO West Po,n, IS SET
forth III the following circular Issued by the Execu-
tive Committee
OIrIoF OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ron THE,
RECEPTION ov H. l.. II. GRAND DUKE ALEXIS.
H5 BEoADwAr NEW YORK. Dec l, ls7i.
The steamer Mary Powell will leave Vesry street wharf
per 80 North River at nine o'cock M and Thirty
street wharf at precisely hslfpas nne therefore
guested 10 be board At
The Superintendent of the United states Military Academy
has srIsnsed as follows for the reception al West Point
The steamboat to arrive at the north wharf at
the Grand Duke aud suite and the Executive
Committee. The limited number OF carriages which
be assembled al West Point will
Than forty ladie, All others therefore. 10 walk up
u the parade After the br landing the Mary Powell Nil
60 far enough up the river little above Cold Spnng) give
lime FOR those who have ardsd 10 the Point
returning viii land the Grand Duke who be received at
abe wharf by the Superintendent and STAFF and who with nis
suite aud The Executive Committees will placed in car.
iages and taken to the speriniendents quarters and
snedsey acrward 10 the parade 10 review OF
cadets, and subseunenly such ipstu
tlon az the limited time viii
- b-Nhen the clock The tower OF the Academv b.u
strikes two O'Clock Nj ali persons going down IL The Msrv
FOWen IeQuese1 ne