The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-05
[NTBRMBNT Of THE GEAR
THE CEREMONY IN RUSSrA's
FORTRESS CATHEDRAL.3

Services at st. Peter and st. Paul In
st. Petersburg-The Most Magn1f-
cent Obsequies Of Modern Times
The Imperial Family Take Leave
of Their Dead.
The entombment of the remains Of the late
Gar Alexander III, Of Russia, took place
IN the Cathedral of st. Peter and st. Paul,
st. Petersburg.
thick fog enveloped the city, but the
populace was astir at the earliest possible
hour. and at the same time the troops de-
tailed to take part In the funeral ceremonies
commenced moving toward the positions as-
signed TO them.
Enormous crowds OF people gathered on
both sides of the Neva long before the cere-
monies commenced. The opening ceremony
was announced by three cannon shots from
the fortress.
The Gar, the Imp erial family and the
royal mourners we're received at the door OF
the Cathedral by the Metropolitan OF Se.
Petersburg and by all the members OF the
Holy SYNOD, bearing crosses and holy water.
The Imperial party formed In solemn
nrocession, which marched up the aisle until
the Car and other mourners reached their
appointed places.
The funeral services then commenced, and
during its progress tapers were handed to
oil the.mourners, and then the High Pr1est,
with a burning torch, lighted the Czars
faners. and afterwards did the same with
those held by the members Of the Imperial
family. after which the priest lighted the
tapers Of all the other mourners IN turn,
according TO rank, until everybody was
knecline and holding Pickering tepers IN
their right hands, which, with the clouds OF
incense. accompanied by the solemn chant.
ing Of the priests, gave the most weird enece
to tho whole scene.
At the conclusion Of the funeral services
the members Of the Imperial family. paid
their last respects to the dead Gar. Kissing
the icon lying on his breast. The Gar as
sIsted the Czsrina, who was terribly affected.
Fioht generals then removed the pail and
carried the coffin to the altar, while eighf
other generals bore the pail behind the
casket. The Gar then placed his fathers
Imperial mantle within the comm, which
was then finally closed, and the procession
to the tomb was formed.
It was headed by the Metropolitan. of st.
Petersburg, and the clergy intoning, a
solemn chant. The clergy were followed by
the coffin, which was borne by the Gar, tine
Grand Dukes, foreign princes and the mosr
distinguished generals.
A number OF the highest civil officers OF
tho Government also assisted IN conveying
the remains OF the Gar to the tomb, where
the burial service was read and the CONN
was slowly lowered into the vault.
This was the most striking portion OF the
ceremony. As the coff1n disappeared from
view the loud booming Of cannon and the
salvous fred by platoons Of infantry from
the adjoining fortress reverberated through
the church, and the lowering Of the mourn
ing nag and the hoisting ofthe ordinary In
perial standard on the fortress tower pro.
claimed to the outside world that the lost
act in the mournful drama had been con-
cluded.
The Gar bore the ordeal with fortitude,
but many among the group cfImper1al and
royal personages clustered around the open
crave were viably affected. The Czar re-
NAMED In the church until the tomb was
finally closed.
After this last ceremony the Imperial in
sionia we're carried back 70 state IN q mum:
Der Of carriages to the Winter Palace, and
were there deposited IN the accustomed
place in st. Georges Hall
An imposing funeral ceremony IN honor OF
the late Gear Alexander III. took place In
the Church OF the Russian Embassy, Berlin.
Traffic about the neighborhood OF tnat
building was suspended during the service,
and there was large Guard Of Honor out
side the church.
Emperor William, In Russian uniform, &C
companied by the Empress, drove to the
church In an open carriage, and was present
throughout the ceremonies. All the diplo-
matte corps, Including the United States Am.
bassador, Theodore Runyon, and manT
other notables were present.