The morning call., 1894-11-25
Some Went in Their Gorgeous
Diplomatic Costumes.
THEIR SWORDS WERE DRAPED.
International Courtesies on the
Mournful Occasion of Ceremonies
in AIexander's Memory.

Solemn requiem services In memory of
Alexander III, the late Gar of all the
Russias, were celebrated yesterday morn
Ing in the RuSSo-Greek Church in this
city. No effort was spared to make the
ceremonies deeply impressive. The oc-
casiOn was observed as an official function,
and as such the imposing requiem was at
tended by representatives of foreign pow
erS.
Before holding services for the reposs
of the Gar it was necessary to have au
imperial edict from the Russian embassy
at Washington. d. c., announcing that
Alexander III was buried. Such notifica-
ton reached the Russian consulate III this
city Thursday. and Immediately prepara-
ions for holding a grand requiem began.
Invitations were issued to all the Consuls
and Consul-Generals in San Francisco to
attend the mournful ceremonies. With
very few exceptions these invitations
were accepted, for one side of the little
church was filed yesterday with gentle
men representing various 0ationali'ies.
The representatives of France, Germany,
Russia. Holland and Belgium appeared in
their Diplomatic un lforms-evening dress,
with gold or silver embroidered collars,
gold or silver buttons. bTaidS and cuffs,
gorgeous plumed shakos and draped
swords. Tie French, Belgian and German
COn>uls WIRE decorated with medals and
crosses displayed on their breasts. Tue
other ConSu!S pTesentrepTese ted Aus ria,
Denmark, Great Britain, Greece. Guate-
mala. Nicaragua, Costa Rlca. Portugal.
Spain. Italy, Norway. Sweden, Mexico
taud Switzerland. They were dressed in
black.
The church was draped in mourning,
which fell among festoonS OF SmiiaX across
y
of Grape. In the center OF the floor cata-
falQue was erected. a black pail, heavily
embroidered with silver threads, served
for a cover. and on the top were ever
greens, candelebra and a plate oil % ked
rice, gaTnlshed Win Talsins in the shape
Of CT SIS, emblematic OF supper or feast,
of which friends OF the dead partake in
hon of the one DEPARTED. immediately
in front was small stand similarly draped
aud supporting a picture If the resurrec-
ton. Several large candles blazed around
them bOth.
The requiem mass began al o'clock.
when only few invited guests were pres
emit l. continued an hour and n half, and
at the close PRAYERS for lie dead were
chan ed around the bier Rev. n. Green
keviich and Rev. Y. Me TODolsky we're
the celebrants and Rev. \. WessliGff was
the deacon.
Before the prayers were sung beside the
catafa que ornamented candles were dis
tribute1 by attendants off silver plates 10
the DISTINGUISHED visitors. Small wax
tapers were given the remainder of the
congregation, and every person present
held lighted candle during the service.
With the officiating priests clad in black
vestments, enriched With massive silver
embrolderles, the church Itself drappd in
black and white, aud lhe strong Contrast
Of diplomatic uniforms, IL was a strange
spectacle for San Francisco. The service
was entirely IN plain chant, accompanied
with blessings ana incensing the bier. But
there was no sermon or other demonstra-
ton Of al International character than the
attendance of the CnnsulS.