Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14
coronation of Peter the Great.

where it was celebrated by the Patri-
orch Kir Joachim, attended by all the
snnerior clergy. During the night a
ronare platform, raised on twelve steps,
,ras erected in the middle of the ca
thnJral. Immediately under tho dome,
ana covered with crimson cloth. From
tbis patforna to the chancel, the pave
mpnt WAS spread with red cloth, on
which two strips Of scarlet velvet were
laid for the Tsars, and q strip Of blue
velvet for the Patriarch. On each side
we're raised seats for the clergy, COW
cred with Persian carpets and cloth Of
cola. On the center platform a
double throne was erected. There
had not been time to make entirely
fresh regalia for the double coronation,
and the silve1ei gilt throne of hand
some workmanship made for the Tsar
Alexis was divided by bar in the
middle, SO that it could be used by the
two boys. Behind, seat was placed,
20 that tho monitor Of Peter, through
the hole IN the back, could whisper to
him the necessary responses. The
crown, scepter, and globe, originally
nreseuts from Constantine Monoma-
chus, Emperor of the East, to the
Grand Duke Vladimir of Kief, had
been initiated in smaller size, and at
less expense, for the use of Peter. The
old historic ones, with which all the
Tsars had been crowned, were reserved
for Ivan. This was the last time they
were ever used. The successors of
Peter were Emperors, not Tsars; and
the crown and pectoral cross of Mono
machus, the visible symbols Of the re-
= lations of the Muscovite Tsars to the
, emperors of Constantinople, are now
mere curiosities in the Imperial treas
ury at Moscow. On the left side of
this throne was third throne for tho
Patriarch, the spiritual emperor. This,
too, was used for the last time. The
power of the clergy was to be dimin-
ished, aud the rule of the Patriarch to
be broken.
In the chancel were placed six
reading desks, two lower than the rest,
covered with satin embroidered with
Jewels, on which were to be placed the
crown and scepter and the pectoral
cross of Monomachus, containing a
relic Of the true cross.
At the first dawn of day, on tie 9Th
of July, the bells began to ring joy
fully and there WAS great procession
of the clergy from all the churches.
At ) o'clock the two boy Tsars went to
the Palace Chapel for Mathis, and then
in procession to the banqueting- q.
Her, in konor Of tAe day, they pro-
noted to the rank Of boyur Prince
Andrei Havansky, Michael Plestcheief,
and Matthew Miloslavsky. Larion Mi
loslavsky and Zmeief were made okol-
nitchi, and Hitrovo aud Pushetchnikof
appointed privy councillors. The
Tsars wore long robes Of cloth-of-gold
covered with lace and fringes, broad
sleeves and caps set with precious
stones. Not only we're their robes cut
from the same piece, but the candles
they held were of the same length that
there might be no inequality. Select
<loyars were then sent to the treasury
10 fetch the cross, the crown, the scep-
tiers and the other regalia, which were
brought in by priests, and then Car.
ried to the Cathedral Of the Assump-
ton, where they were received by the
Patriarch and the superior clergy on
gold dishes, and placed on the lecterns
prepared for them. On entering the
banqueting- hall the boysrs informed
the Isars that all was ready, and then
long procession--beginning with the
inferior officials, rising to the highest
boyars, then to the Tsars. and gradu-
ally diminishing again to the petty Of
fcials and nobles-went slowly down
the Red Staircase, from the banquet
iEg-hall to the Cathedral of the AS.
sumption. over q path made on the
pavement by crimson cloth, which was
spriHkled by priests with holy water,
through the dense masses of the popu-
lace which filed tho whole square. AT
the entrance of the cathedral, the
Tsars were met by the Patriarch, who
wished them long life and held them
the cross to kiss. After kissing the
great pictures on the altar-screen, es-
pecially the Virgin painted by st.
Luke, the Tsars took their places on
the platform. Standing here in this
old cathedral, crowded with their sub
jects. the gilded walls and pillars of
which, lighted up by Pickering can
dies, displayed the rude pictures of
saints and martyrs; under the great
central dome, from which looked down
the gigantic image of our Savior,
with hands appraised in the act of bles-
sing, the Tsars, after reciting the story
OF their accession to the throne. de-
mandcd of the Patriarch the rite of
conservation and coronation. The Pa
triarch, in reply, asked to what faith
Sthey belonged. They answered: "To
Aae holy orthodox Russian faith, and
set forth in a long speech tho good
which they expected to do their people.
Then, after hymns and prayers, and
swinging OF censers, the Patriarch
placed on their heads the crown of
Monomachus, threw over their
shoulders the coronation vestments,
placed on their breasts the pectoral
cross, gave the scepters and globes into
their hands, and then. when all had
again taken their seats, assembled the
pulpit and preached IL sermon upon the
mutual duties of Tsar and people.
Then followed the mass, during which
the Tsars, in sign of their being priests
as we'll as kings, went within the chan
Gel bshind the altar-ccreen, and admin
istered to themselves the Eucharist
Will