The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-01
THE RUSSIAN FLEET
Commencement Of the Holy Week Of the
Graco-Russian Church.
THE vEsPERs OF ST. LAZARUS
Impressive Services on
Shipboard.

Tho Russian frigate Sveiiana and the corvettes 30
gatyr and Askoli yesterday morning had their sails
spread 10 dry, and they beled out in The breeze
one would almost have thought they were under iuli
sail up the Hudson. Az four o'clock all hands were
ppcd to take sail and the yards soon alive with
the Muscovitc seamen. The Grand Duke Alexis came
ashore tho morning and remained In the city during
the day. The Grand Duke Constantine came ashore
with some brother officers al one and pres
ent with quito large party At the matinee OF "Ihe
Danchens at the Union square Theatre He returned
10 the Sve,ana at four O'Clock with Prince Stchsria-
toll.
BLESSING PALMS AT vEspERs
At five O'Clock r. N. special services were held on
board the Russian flagship Svetapa according 10 tho
rites OF the Grace Russian Church The service was
that vespers OF st. Lazarus, which begin the
celebration by the Greek Church OF the Holy Week.
The services wcrc held the after part OF the gun
deck OF the flagship just forward Of the cabins OF the
Admiral and Of Captain, the Grand Duke Alexis.
In tho gildcd picture Of st. Nicholas in his
patriarchal robes, holding in his left hand tho Holy
Gospel aud with his rign. giving q benedicton TO tho
faithful on tho altar un der the picture were two
largo silver candlcsticks. holding nghted tapers, q
richly bound copy Of the New Testament ana dvc
small tapers typical OF the feeding of the multitude
with five oaves by the Holy Saviour The altar In front
OF the mizzenmast was covered with cloth OF red
velvet, interspersod with golden Crock
and bound with gold. The venerable oflciat-
ing priest, Father Pahomc, chaplain OF tho
SHETLAND, awas clad in robes Of dark green,
with a cape OF gold cloth, tho robe being covered with
OF gold In front he wore bands OF red velvet
down which rows of crosses At the service
assisted Admiral BoutakoG. the Grand Dukes, Execu-
tive officer Captain Norossilsky, Flag Commander
Alexien Lieutenants Lange. ErEonvlscheh, Prince
stchertaton, Prince BaratinsKy Prince Obolcnsky and
sailors over 500 n all The officers stood front OF
the guns, the Grand Dukes In the centre, the Admiral
the port side. BY him stood the marines on duty
at the ships money chest.
THE CHOIR
The choir OF Sailors and boys led by the deacon,
on the sArbcard sde in front OF the immense
OF sailors in their uniforms OF blue and yell
low with blue ribbed shirts At the right Of the altar
stood huge silver candlesck and candle as yet I'M
lighted The priest responded TO In song by the choir
nrst chanted the vespcrs In Russian Al intervals
he swung The censor. presented 10 HIM by sailor
assistant, the worshippers crossing themselves fire.
qnenty. A. twenty minutes past five the assistant
brought TO the altar silver stand on
Of unleavened bread, representing those broken by
Christ, with which he ted he immense multitude.
raising the Loaf which lay on top of the others,
tended to tho east NORTH wcst and south, chanting
blessing during the ceremony. A fadstool was then
brought ana placed on the port Side behind the altar
The father then carried the Holy Evange to the desk
and placed 1t thereon taking up his position behind
desk. which covered, like the altar, with crimson
velvet with gold crosses The assistant then placed The
great en- ndlestck OF the hch lay the
holy book and brought large quantity OF branches OF
and saiow which he laid 10 the left OF the desk
STOOL These plants represented as in The Catholic
Church the palms, which were strewn before Christ
hIs entry 10 Jerusalem Tho priest then blessed the
palms and sp.inked holy water over them, swinging
The censor toward the Testament. the palms and the
congregation.
BLESSING THE OFFICERS.
The gospel according 10 ST. Matthew XXI, up to vel SO
II, was then reaa, commencing in Russian with the
words. ssWhcn Jesus approached Jerusalem After
reading OF the gospel the assistant then brought
the priest OF silver, in which little sil
yer goblet filled with periumed holy OIL which Is made
IN the holy cities OF Russia, Moscow and Kew The
Admiral then, at quarter TO SIX O'Clock, approached
the desk, which lay the Holy Book. and took a
branch Of saow. He crossed himself bent his
head and kissed the book and the priest with brush
dipped the amounting oil. made his forehead the
sign of the cross Crossing himself the Admiral gave
the book and were blessed, tho priest saying, as
he Amounted them, "ln the name OF tho Father
this ceremony also cnanled in Russian, the
choir responding. Each. like the Admiral, be-
fore kissing the book took his branch OF
the blessed plant The officers, they received
the holy OIL passed over to the port side OF the deck
stood there us the sailors advanced by and
reverently took the cedar branches, crossed them
solve kissed The book, reverently presented their
weather beaten foreheads to the priest
holy oil Tho impressive service ended six o'clock.
AS the ended the call TO tho band and
marine quart was gwen, and they mounted
the port side OF tho Deck and tho baud played tho
tattoo. Then, as tho flag down, tho band
played a lively saluting march, all being uncovered.
Then the musicians played the prayer. Tho officer OF
the guard reported to the chief officer, tho
sailors dismissed At hali-past seven tho crew
all assembled on the quarter deck, and the word
chanted tho darkness, in Russian the pater ostcr
The singing sounded very sweety the still night
the sound travelled over the waters The hammocks
then given out, and all was still on board tho
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