The morning call., 1894-10-09
A Happy Couple United
at St. Basil'S.
QUAINT RUSSIAN CEREMONY.
Bride and Groom Crowned and
IncenSed.
CROWDS WITNESS THE SCENE.
Miss Anna Dabovich, Sister of Father
Sebastian, r1arried to Young
Merchant.

The great clusters OF waxen lights in the
swinging candelabra of st. Basirs, the
Russo-Greek church or Powell street. were
all aglow last night The little SANCTUARY,
with its pictures and gorgeous decorations
and Oriental feeling, was filed with warm
light that bespoke something OF the happl-
ness and solemnity of ceremonies the like
of which are never to be seen in America
except indeed, in St BasiPs, and even
there only once in lifetime.
1t was the occasion OF wedding when
bore to religious marriage ceremonies as
known 10 most people here the same
striking relation as is demons trated in the
contrast between an American banquet
and the Russian wedding feast.
For grandeur Of ceremonial, wonderful
brillancv of color in vestments and spe-
cial decorations; for pictorial effect and
unioueness OF ensem bles; for quaint music
and variety of strange symbolic rites. this
wedding was far aud away beyond the
comparative sedateness of western thought
And yet the audience was largely Ameri-
can, the bride beautiful native daughter
and the groom a native of this city. The
decorations of evergreens and flowers for
the enteDnial anniversary of the Russian
church in America were still upon the
walls, though more fragrant flowers were
artfstically placed about the altar in
honor of the happy event. Candida bras,
in which no other light than that of wax
candles is ever allowed to burn, were
ablaZe overhead, ard the effect was soft
glow, very novel TO the eyes accustomed
TO modern illumination.
When the wedding ceremony began
clouds OF sweet incense arose, mingling
with the faint odor of burning wax and
combining with weird chant to give an
effect of medieval times.
Admission to the church was limited to
persons having cards of invitation, but
even then the place was densely crowded.
There were no seats, and everybody stood
throughout the long ceremony, leaving an
open space in front of the altar for the
priests, contracting parties and attend
ants. As the numbers increased and it
was not possible to view the ceremonies
by craning necks above heads of those in
front several persons stood upon little
benches. from which position they in item tly
followed the interesting group in front
About $50 P. NJ. a murmur passed
through the congregation and presently
the wedding party arrived. the groom. and
his best men first coming from the epis-
copal residence adjoining, then the brides
maids followed by the bride. They formed
semicircle, with the bride and groom in
the middle. No sooner were they thus ar
ranged than the door or gate of golden rays
and colored bars of the reredos opened
and the officiating priests came from
The altar in the rear. Father Grinkovlcb.
the priest who tied the nuptial knot, ad-
vaDced slowly and after him came
Ransky, deacon. They were clad in awk-
ward vestmenls of rich scarlet color, COW
cred with gold embroidery in strange de-
signs.
An acolyte in grayish blue and siIvered
garb attended with tray on which was a
silver vessel and a long brush. lmme-
diatelyFather Grinkovich advanced he took
up the brush and dipped it in the blessed
water, which he rubbed Oh the brides
and groom's foreheads. while the choir
began chanting the liturgy. The priest
turned around and prayed and again
faced the young couple, this time with a
censor with which they were incensed.
This part of the ceremony was accom-
panied by singing. He took two candles,
which he lighted together at large candle
held by deacon, he holding them toge Their
in one hand. These he presented singly
TO the bride and groom. making the sign OF
the cross three times with each light in do
ing so. From that time on these candles
were held by the contracting couple. on
whom all eyes were turned, many with
evident curiosity.
Bishop Nicholas appeared from behind
the reredos with a silver tray, on which
were two rings that received his blessing
in the dim light where he stood. The
rings were carried forward, and with
chanting and blessings were given one to
the groom and another to the bride. They
changed hands subsequently, three times
before finding res ti0g- place on the happy
couples fingers, the act Of giving them
being accompanied with signs Of the cross.
prayers and singing.
The next part Of the ceremony which
has depth Of meaning for Catholics of
the Oriental church, was the coronation
Two gold crowns of Russian design. sur.
mounted by crosses ana lined with crimson
velvet were brought from the altar and
placed with great solemnity on the Young
couples heads. The two best men
held the crowns in this position over half
an hour while the ltany of coronation
was sung. This was symbolic Of the unity
of marriage and its great joy. The crowns
were changed three times from the brides
to her husbands head. The close of this
ceremony came when the officiating priest
gave the couple wine to drinkout of gold
cup, from which both drank three times
also symbolic of unity.
The crowns were removed and the
Bishop clad in black came forth. He
carried sacred picture in his hand and
this the couple kissed as they knelt for
his blessing, which was given with great
dignity. Then the Bishop spoke to them.
giving good advice, wishing them
joy in their welded life and
drawing fancifui picture of Iife's path
and how it should be followed. Before
being entitled to this blessing the wedding
party walked three times round the
church, husband and wife crowned and
carrying the lighted candles. The picture
which Bishop Nicholas carried, with an
other of the Virgin, were taken home by
the welded pair to be treasured as sacred
mementos of their wedding day.
The Bishop retired whence he came, and
with him went the priests, and the doors
closed upon them. leaving the happy couple
to the embraces and congratulations OF