St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-22

palaces are constructed. brilliantly il
Illuminated. and in them fairs are held
till the new year is uShered in.
The day before Christmas the people
hang ont decorations, consisting of
flags, bunting, rags. carpets and cloths,
and garments of high cOlors. Whole
sides of large buildings along the prin-
cipal thorOughfares are covered with
these. They simply hang from the
windows, and the effect upon stranger
is almost bewildering. When the wind
blows, the snow flies, and the decOra-
tons fiutter, the scene cannot be deS-
cribed. When midnight comes the bells
ring, guns are fired, and the SerenaderS
start upon their rounds. Stringed in
strumentS and bass drums are used.
The Russians sing beautifully. and the
music they produce is charming. The
rich, deep, bass voices harmOniZe per-
fectly with the clear, sweet and high
tenOrS, sometimes the voices of the
monks or clergy, for these have no hest
fancy i'll making a night of it on such an
occasion. The SerenaderS do not cease
their music till it is time for mass at
the churches, when they wend their
way in that direction. and depOsiting
their instruments. fall upon their knees,
bump their heads upon the pavement in
front OF the churches, cross themselves
repeatedly and say their prayers. |
have seen them keep up this exercise
for half an hour.
Inside the church there are few peO-
pie, the worship being conducted by
each individual on the sidewalk. But
it you open the great door of oak, iron
or other lilagree work, strange scene
can be witnessed. The floor is of mar
bic or thing. Above the iconastas or
altar + an icon-an image of Christ, or
the Madonha, in oil and framed
in gold. Before it is grease lamp
burning dimly. At one side of the room
stand dozen or more monks in long
robes, chanting in a service At times
the music varies, taking in short but
charming anthems, peculiar Russian
compositions, but it does not cease for
hours and until it is finally at an end.
A priest is walking about the auditorium
carrying an incense burner, which
smokes to the verge of SuffOcation. He
murmurs i'll indiStinct tones the service,
swinging the incense burner first up
and down before the icon over the icon
aStas, and then before all the images in
the great room. These performances
he repeats number of times, the music
OF the voices continuing without any
accompaniment, as musical instruments
are not per Knitted in the Church of Rus
SIN or its monasterieS.
While these services are being per-
formed inside the church an occasional
man or woman enters, and proceeding
before the iconaStaS falls upon his or
her face and means piteously, at times
frothing at ;he mouth and beating
the floor furiously. The priest
swings his incense-burner over the
PROSTATE form still the devil is fright
ened away" This in no way interferes
with the singing, and only mOmentarily
interrupts the ceremony of the priest
i'm paying incense TO the images. The
expression OH the faces of the penitents
is eKcruciating. The services are in
the Slav language. Tho. priests are in
splendid robes Of brocade. The church
concentrations are the accommodations
of ages and the result of many millions
of expenditures by the empire which
supports them. The shrines are pieces
of solid silver or gold, weighing quar-
ter OF ton. while the diamonds, rubies
and other precious stones around