Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-11-26
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
A Brilliant Wedding.

~
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 25.-Troops,
headed by bands of music, were on the
march from all directions at an early
hour this morning and occupied all the
avenues of access to the Winter Palace,
where the marriage of the Car
Nicholas Ill and Princess Alix, OF
Hesse- Darmstadt, was to take place.
The streets were thropged with the
populace in gala attire. The whole as
pect of the city was that of sudden
awakening from the dismal lethergy Of
the past week to the life and brightness
which is the wonted character of the
gay winter season. A salute of twenty
one guns amid incessant cheers of the
populace announced the arrival of the
Gar and his attendants at the Winter
Palace, where were assembled the mill
tary household of the Car, the suites
of foreign sovereigns and princes and
the grand dukes, generals, admirals and
dignitaries of the first class, leading
bankers, merchants and others. The
Czarina's ladies of honor proceeded to
the apartments OF Princess Alix, where
they assisted in completing her toilette
in the presence of the Czarina, the
Princess of Wales and the Grand
Duchesses. At 1880 o'clock all was
ready and Princess Alix, her train
borne by four court dignitaries, the ex-
tremity Of the garment being held by
the Grand Chamberlain, entered the
nall. She wore jewelled crown and
a robe of white brocaded silk, with a
mantle of strawberry colored velvet,
trimmed with gold aud double
row of ermine. The procession to
the cathedral of Kazan was a
spectacle of the utmost brilliancy
us it defled from the gorgeous
Malchite Hall and traversed the en-
tire length and breadth of the palace.
When the procession reached the ca
thedral, at the extreme end of the AL
exander Platz, it was met at the en-
trance by the Metropolitan of St. Pc
tersburg, the holy synod and the court
clergy bearing crosses, holy water and
sacred books. AS the Emperor took
his place at the right of the dais the
Czariua led Princess Alix to him and
placed her at his left hand. The
Czarina then took her place in the
chancel at the right of the dais. The
crosses, holy water and sacred books
were then placed before the gate of
Ikonostas and the marriage service in
use in the Orthodox Church was begun.
After the singing of psalm 127, the
metropolitan said a few words of in
struction to the couple. The usual
questions were asked Of the Car and
of Princess Alix who returned the usual
answers. After prayer the metropoli-
tan took two crowns, placing the first
one upon the head of the Gar, saying
"The servant of God, Nicholas,is crown
ed for the handmade of God, Alix, in
the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost" Placing the
other crown upon the head the bride,
he said: The handmade of God, Alix,
is crowned for the servant of God,
Nicholas, in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"
The prelate then blessed the couple
three times. After anthems and prayers,
the Common Cup was brought and
blessed. The cup was filled and hand
ed first to the Car and then to the
princess, each taking sip of the wine.
After some further ceremonies the Car
then kissed the bride and the guests
came forward to congratulate the
couple. AT the conclusion of the con-
CALCULATIONS the dismissal was pro-
nounced and the bride and groom and
the wedding guests returned to the
Winter Palace. The ceremony lasted
nearly two hours.