Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-23


this wonderful wall are suspended miraculous
images of great NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. with dark
eyes and brown skins that belonged to grand
dukes and were brought from Novgorod, Pskof
Kew. and Constantinople. Their halos are
consolidated with precious stones that twinkle
like little stars and shine like red sparks Upon
their garments and dalmatics Of gold topazes.
sapphires, emeralds, and rubies display marvel
lous embroideries that interlace each other Ike
garlands Of flowers The miraculous image Of
the Virgin Of vladimir that orthodox piety at
tributes to st. Luke wears diamond necklace
| valued at 300, 900 roubles. Emeralds as large as
nuts are set In the massive golden crown Of this
Virgin.
Close to the iconostasus canopy covers the
chair Of the Patriarch and In front Of it velvet
| tent marks the place Of the Emperor. Lamps
of silver and vermilion with Pickering lights,
and great wax candles with their steady and
soft Jets, are not sufficient to awaken the OBJ
security that sleeps under the sombre vaults Of
the old cathedral.
The ceremonies Of the coronation take place
In this church with pomp aud splendor that
are peculiarly Oriental: Before the Gar arrives
the high priests with the cross, assisted by two
deacons carrying holy water in basin Of gold,
sprinkle the passage that the Emperor is about
| to take. Then, arranging themselves upon the
steps that surround the imperial platform
surmounted by canopy Of crimson velvet
with tassels and fringes of gold, come the
| grand dukes and grand duchesses. all the
| members OF the imperial family. the diplomatic
corps the high dign itaries Of the empire, sena-
tors in red uniforms. ministers bedizened with
badges and cordons, marshals in brilliant uni
forms, ladies Of the court, and young ladies of
honor in the national costume, including the
kdkochnik Ca golden diadem embroidered In
gold or pearls), representatives Of the mer-
them in blue or black gowns fringed in gold,
Populations from Asiatic peoples allied to or
subjects of the emperor, Chinese Mongolans.
Tartars, Baskirs, Kalmuks, Khirgees, Boukha-
ras, Circasslans, Georgians Mingrelians, Lap
landers, Esquimaux, Persians, Turcomans-a
strange and wild mixture of different races
half clad and armed, some with bows or lances,
others with yatagans with silver handles, or
| swords with wooden hits rudey carved.
This dazzling and picturesque procession adj
vances preceded by a platoon Of guards of
honor, with cuirasses of red cloth starred with
silver. and by two mounted heralds with gold
embroidered brOcades, red velvet caps and
maces. The Imperial arms, borne by high func-
tlonaries, are placed at the left of the throne
upon table with cover Of gold. Grouped in
front OF the church under the portal draped with
velvet, the clergy with crosses and mitres are
Respondent in their chasubles and dalmatics
sparkling with gems. The MetropOlitans led
by the Metropolitan Of Kew, holding censers
await the arrival Of the Emperor.
AT last the Car appears. He descends the
Red Staircase upon which Persian carpet.
Powered with roses, is placed He wears the
uniform of general Of division, with red
trousers. and he walks under large canopy
that puts over his head flock of golden eagles
In a blue sky.
The Metropolitan of Moscow presents him the
cross to kiss, while the Metropolitan of Novgo-
rod spr1nkles him with holy water. The princes
OF the church conduct the Gar to the throne.
Then the Metropolitan of Moscow approaches
his imperial Majesty and presents him with the
orthodox profession of faith, which the Gar
| reads aloud, standing with his hand upon the
guard OF his sword. After reading he receives
the two Metropolitans Of Kew, who ascend the
steps of the throne and bring him the corona
ton mantle. The Gar takes it from their
hands and places it upon his shoulders. Then
he bows before the Metropolitan of Moscow,
who places his hands over him and recites a
prayer.
Finally, the Car arises majestic and superb,
dressed In his mantle of brOcade lined with
ermine. and, taking the imperial crown. spark
hands upon his head. At this moment the
Empress advances and kneels before her august
spouse, whO taking off his crown, holds it an
instant over the forehead of the Czarina in token
of her share in his Omnipotence
In the courtyard of the Kremlin the cannOns
thunder. The three hundred churches of Mos
cow ring their joy bells. and the vaults of the
old cathedral are filled with songs of gladness
and of triumph.
The mass begins. The silver doors Of the
Novgorod and of Kew approach the Emperor
and inform him that all is ready for the anOint-
ment. The Gar descends from his throne. The
Empress accompanies him to the door of the
sanctuary. the threshold Of which no woman can
cross. The Metropolitan of Moscow then dips
in the vase that contains the holy Oil the golden
branch that he holds in his hand and anOints
the temples the eyeds, the nostrls, the lips,
the breast and the hands of the Car while
uttering the words. 'Behold the seal of the
Holy Ghost" And after each holy JUNCTION the
Metropolitan of NovgOrOd wipes away the traces.
The ancient Cars for seven days used not to
wash the parts Of their bodies that had thus been
anOinted.
Conducted to the altar, the Car partakes Of
the communion, while the Empress. still kneel-
Ing at the door OF the iconOstasus receives also
the communion with the Metropolitan of Kew
With the crown upon his head, the new Car
departs through the north portal, passes be-
tween double row of Cossacks armed with
lances and of Grenadiers with gilded helmets
and amid the applause OF the pOpuace enters the
cathedral of the Archangel ST. Michael, where
he kisses the holy images after which he re-en-
tiers the ancient palace by the Red Staircase
The repast Of the coronation is given in the
Terem. The Emperor and the Empress, served
by the marshals of the court, eat alone. The SUI
periOr officers, headed by the chief marshal and
escorted by officers OF the guards with drawn
swords, bring In the dishes that the Metropoli-
tan blesses one after the other. When the Car
wants to drink, the diplomatic corps retires,
walking backward, and singers in gala costume,
with swords by their sides, advance and execute
during the rest of the repast different pieces of
the old Russian repertoire