The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-08
The Coming Coronation.

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
THE CORONATION OF ALEXANDER II.
Aprop6s Of the manifesto giving notice
that the coronation OF the Gar OF Russia
will take place on April 25th. the Herald
has the following interesting account of the
ceremonies observed on such occasions |:
The ceremonies observed at the coronation
OF Alexander III. will be repeated at that
of Alexander III. The thrones used in 1856
by the Emperor and Empress were those
OF John Ill. and Michael Feodorowitch,
which have served at all coronations
since that OF Peter the Great. The Off
ciating prelates were the Archbishops
of Moscow aud Noygorod, who COM
menced the ceremony by blessing the
Holy Banner OF Russia, that of Our
Lady Of Kew, the spear-head of which is
made out OF piece OF the "true cross"
The banner, having been sprinkled with
holy water, was presented TO the Emperor.
who waved it thrice before the congrega-
ton, and then restored it to the Primate.
His Majesty then knelt, while the imperial
mantle OF silver and ermine was adjusted
20 his shoulders. Next he rose and stood
upright while the sword Of John III. was
being girt around his waist, and the scep-
tire, with its orb, was placed in bis right
hand. Finally he sat down TO have the mas
sive crown set upon his brow. After this
the Empress knelt before her husband,
who removed the crown from his own
head and laid II for an instant on hers,
Another and smaller crown was then
put upon her Majesty's brow by her ladies,
who at the same time covered her with q
mantle like the Cars. Throughout these
ceremonies prayers were said aud canticles
sung by the clergy and q choir Of 800
voices, but there were no acclamations
from the people, for the Car was not yet
anointed. The making OF a Car ..the
Lords anointed" Is the most important
part Of the service. 1t is done in this
wise The Archbishop OF Moscow,
holding silver bowl full OF holy oil,
In winch ga fragment of the crown
Of thorns" has been immersed, takes
golden palm branch, and, dipping IL into
the oil, touches with IL the Cars brow.
his eyelids, ears, lips, and the palms OF his
hands, after which attendants omen the
monarch's vestments so as to Law an inch
OF his chest bare, and the archbishop
traces cross on the skin with the oil |
When this has been done the clergy pros
trate themselves before the Car, the !
Choir strikes up a glorious re DeuDa. |
and the congregation burst into anil
Immense reclamation. This is the end
VI the ceremony IN the Cathedral OF
the Assumption; but the Car and
Czarina have now two or three hours more
TO spend In going with all their insigpia
upon them TO The abbey churches of 81.
Michael and the Annunciation, and then to
all The other churches and chapels in the
kremlin TO pay their deyotions to the icons
and relies and 10 give aims. IL is a most
fatguing day for the imperial couple, and
their religious duties are not fully dis
charged when the day closes, for custom
requires that about a week after the eoro-
nation the Car and bis consort shall make
q pilgrimage 10 the holy city Of Kew and
visit the eatacombs.
AMNESTY.
A coronation Is always signallzcd by acts
Il imperial clemency, and In this respect
be ukase issued by Alexander III. on the
fh Of September, 1856, remains memora-
le. IL granted q complete amnesty 10 all
le political offenders OF IS25-'28 and of
Ie Polish rebellion OF 1891 who were still II
exile or In prison; also pardon 10 press A
Ienders, military defaulters. and to about Ia
Q thousand other individuals In fails. 1 81