The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-21
THE RUsso-aREEK CHAPEL.

The Orthodox Easter Services-A Crowded
House and Interesting Ccremonies-The
Festival In Russia.
According to the orthodox Greek Church, old
style, yesterday was Easter Sunday ana the Sab
bath preceding was Palm Sunday, on each ofwhich
days the faithful, including the children Of The
Church, communed with the mystic emblems oil
the Saviour's death. Owing to circumstances oil
country and cline and police regulations the iull
services required in Russia could not be performed
here There at the end OF the forty days. fast the
Church prepares herself for the more worthy cele-
braton OF Easter, during the remaining six days in
Holy Week, by series Of services three times q
day, and during the first three days the four gospels
are read. On Thursday morning, at nine O'Clock,
the Litany is sung, and at midnight OF that day
the altar cloth is taken to the centre OF the church
and spread on a table, around which the faithful
gather to pay their homage to the Saviour, repre-
sented thereon as having been wrapped in a clean
linen cloth b. Joseph and laid in the tomb. On
Good Friday morning procession is formed, IN
which this
CLOTH OF GOLD AND PURPLE
with Its memorial picture, is borne in front. Ex-
cept the procession, which in some parts OF Russia
takes place in the streets, and in others in the
churches. the other features OF the programme In
dicated were carried out here in the little chapel
Second avenue. Yesterday morning the altar cloth
which had lain in the centre OF the chapel room
was transferred to the sacred Hace. 1t is
an elaborate piece Of artistic Workmanship.
OF needlework Of gold is the simple story the az
fectiOnate act OF Joseph or Arimathea. The reading
desks the altar and all the tables and vessels OF
the sanctuary were covered, as is the custom in
this day. with rich coverings OF cloth OF gold and
embroidered work. The candles were all abaze
and the vestments OF the priest ana his assistant
shone brilliantly in the glare of the sacred lights,
On ordinary Sabbath days the door OF the chapel
which separates the holy place from the choir room
and the audience room is opened and smut alter
nately at certain portions OF the services but yes
terday 1t remained open all day long and will SO re:
mn w hon al 10 will
be rendered in the chapel every day.
AT the opening yesterday Father Biering and his
assistant bearing in their hands golden crucidx,
q censor and three-cande burner, came from
the altar toward the audience swinging the censor
to which the people responded, ..Trniy risen" in
Russia this song sung at the close OF the service
also, and the clergy, leaving the altar with cru
PICTURE OF THE RESURRECTION,
stand before the people, who reverently approach
these holy insignia OF Christianity and kiss them de-
voutly. The sautatiOn "Christ is risenn and the
response "Truly risen" Is followed by the priests
giving the kiss OF peace and JOY and good will to all
who approach, and this is the signal for q general
kissing and handshaking and greeting throughout
the congregation. This greeting and salutaton Is
continued in the streets and in the homes, and
Easter Week is given up almost wholly to this kind
OF entertainment. The advent OF Easter Is heraded
In BY the booming OF cannon and the ringing OF
bells, and by general illumination throughout all
the large cities OF the Russian Empire. In the
hymns sung in the churches frequent reference is
Christ our Passover, slain for u.s. The gospel OF the
day read yesterday by Father Bjering was St. John
l., liz. The little chapel was densely, uncomfort-
ably crowded, and the necessity for more COM
msdious house OF worship was every moment
apparent But, though the lots have been pur-
chased and there Is
PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE TREASURY
OF the orthodox church. wherewith to build an i'm
posing and spacious structure, the one Is fenced
In and the other tied up with red tape, ana the
Holy Synod can't find time to cut II and let the
work go forward and give Russo-Greek Catholicism
chance to assert its power and manifest its purity
In the New World. Among the notables present
tary OF the Russian Legation In Washington, d. G. !;
General Gorlon, Mr.. Botassc the Greek Consul Gen.
eral and their families. The services were all rem
dered in English, and the choir performed their
part remarkably wei and with q decided improve
ment on their previous performances.