The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-24

SundOWE 10 10 O'Clock. Before the Miserere,
the Lamentations Of jeremiah are chanted
ioran hour, while the candles of the Tenebrp,
representing the hours that Christ was on the
cross, are slowly eytincrished one by one.
Al ast, only one slender blaze is left, the white
Rnmo Of the Mary candle, which must burn
continually. This at last Is borne away in
solemn procession and deposited before the
altar. Then bursts forth the tender and
solemn harmonies of tho Miserere. Achorus
OF so voices, and an orchestra of 100 pieces,
interpret the requisite music done by a noted
Spanish composer, a priest named Escaya.
Again it Is sung on Thursday evening.
On Holy Thursday and Good Friday there
takes place curious service which is known
as that Of the Monuments. Immense wooden
structures covered with staff to represent
marble are erected in every church as well as
the Cathedral. A consecrated host is de.
posted in each. The deyout endeayour to
breathe prayer before each such temporary
altar, once in the forty-eight hours. The
whole is brilliantly Illuminated with five or
six thousand candles, and one hundred and
sixty silver lamps.
From Monday to Friday, curious process
ions, known as cofddas, pass through the
streets every day twenty three in all. They
consist OF one or two pUsoS or wooden statues
OF the Virgin Mary, the cruciRed Saviour, the
two thieves, etc, mounted on wooden plat
forms, borne by men carefully concealed.
They are intended to depict scenes in the
life Of Christ. Then follow long lines Of
military, attired as Roman soldiers. or q
concourse Of Nazarenes in sackcloth and
ashes. The efigies Of the Virgin Mary are
dmped in very costly robes, being princi-
palIy OF velvet, stifi and crusted with gold
and silver embroidery costing up into the
thousands Of dollars. The professions last
all night and the streets are as full Of specta.
tors as in the daytime. These cOfadias are
viewed by the rich people from boxes and
seats erected in front Of the townhall
Almost every nation is represented, and
squads Of cabelleros, officers etc. file up and
down the streets, 10 get good views Of the
senoritas.
On Saturday morning, en- immense black
veil, that all the week has hid the reredos
an emblem Of the darkness that enveloped
the earth during the disappearance Of Christ
is suddenly rent apart, amid the laundering
echoes above. Immediately the q bells Of
the city awake, and Rll the air with sound
This is taken up by Jhe bells OF the 1lC
.churcnes, until the whole air trembes with q
yibratory earthquake. Cannous and guns arc
fired, and each individual human unit. who
has any means for making noise, contrib.
+utes his or her share. It is one uphcayal o.
discords.
There are many strange customs which
are observed in various portions Of Europe
in byeways and sequestered villages, that
are mere suryivals Of the Middle Ages. One
very ancient one, was that of putting out
all the household fires, and relighting then
on Easter eve, from the sacred lints. II
ireland even now, children and the more
ignorant rise early on Easter morning, tc
see the sun dance for Joy.
OF all countries Of the earth, Russia is the
one where Easter is celebrated with tho
greatest ceremony and with evidences Of re.
joicing from car 10 peasant. Every one
goes about embracing and kissing and cry.
ing out; Yes, the Lord is risen. He is
risen indeed" Even the Emperor meets
his relatives and officials in that way. It is
after long fast, more strictly kept than
would be possible in England or America
that Easter Eve arrives. Every prominent
building in =. Petersburg and every othe,
town are decked with flags. and the white
green and red Of the national banners fash
and wave all along the streets. In all the
bake shops ana coniect.oners windows
gorgeous with gilt and gingerbread work
the Easter toys and offerings attract crowds
Of not only eager boys and girls. but Of
grown people Us well. Curious coniection.
cry, in which the Easter egg is conspicuous
ill the eye Of childhood, along with the
curious compound called the pashka. with
which all the orthodox break their fast in
the morning It Is white, made Of SOU,
cream and spockod with raisins.
! The streets are packed with the throngs
that gathcr aud increase as midnight an.
proaches. The Ecyski Prospect. brilliant
with its rows Of electric lights. stretche.
for several miles through the city. crowded
from end to end with with carriages
droshkis and pedestrians. Kaz2n casnaa.
raj and the Cathedral Of 81. Isaaes
tAe northern rival of the great Roman
church are the most attractive points. 4;
the latter, admission can only be gained by
favor and beneath its golden dome tha,
shines conspicuousy afar above st. Peters.
burg, there is crowd of the NOBILITY. the
majesty and the responsibility of the Russian
Empire. Exactly under the dome. is q
raised dais, and on that stands table. bear.
ing the full length picture, representing the
Lord in the grave On ethe. side blaze q
forest Of great candles Men and women
advance 20 ;hc picture and reverently cross.
ing themselves kiss Il, and sometimes repeat
the operation. Handsome young guards.
men in white uniform, stand up in long
line. The cathedral is but dimly lighted. to
preiiCure the darkness Of the tomb but even
by the ilickcrlng tapers, the gigantic and
elaborate proportions of Ihe church are
visible, and here and there one can see the
gorgeous splendor Of the ornamentation.
Then comes the representation of the
Easter dawn, Just as the hour of midnight is
reached. The candles are lighted and as by
magic out flashes the glory OF the grea.
cathedral; pillars Of green maachita sun
porting the screen, the blue columns OF la0s
la2uli on either side OF the gilded gates. that
concealed the altar form an imperial frame
tor the great mosaic pictures, Jesus Of
Nazareth. ana the Mother Mary with her
child, colossal haloed saints, among them st.
Isaac ofDalmata and st. Nicholas fcyor:tc of
Russian saints. This s suddenly interru0ted
by great burst of song from the cnoir. which
stands before the altar, 6rrayed in blue and
yellow vestments. The gates open and
o'yond the steaoy glare Of the candles. and
directly before the altar, in the eastern
window is the gigantic figure Of the Risen
Christ; and thrill OF joy goes through the
crowd. Then the gates close again. and the
singing continues while procession oi
banners, preceded by an antique lamp and
cross pass down the nave 20 the further end
of The church. Thcygo down the cathedral.
then pass around K, asking everywhere.
Have YOU seen Him? Have YOU seen Him .'