The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-11-19
CzARINA WEEPs PAssIONATELY
Sons and Brothers Kiss the Dead
Lips of the Czar-Ancient and
Picturesque Ritual.
Thousands of Tapers Clean Amid
the Iucense-Cannon Boom and
Monks Chant-Costumes of
Black and Purple.
Bu Cable to the United Press.

By Gable to the United Press
ST. PETERSBU, g. Nov. 10, 1884, 1890
A. M-The morning opened cold and
foggy. There was no rain, but thick
mist overhung the streets, and the en-
blerns of mourning everywhere displayed
were dripping with the moisture there
from The populace were astir before
daylight, and all the morning lines of
people converged upon the Fortress
Cathedral of ST. Peter and st. Paul,
where the booming of cannon announced
the beginning of the funeral services.
The troops, which had been told off for
DUTY at daybreak, took their positions
promptly, and the thoroughfares were
soon lined with infantry, cavalry and
artillery. From eight o'clock until the
hour OF the funeral there was con-
tinuous flow of State carriages, con-
veying the high officials, who were max
ing haste to take possession of the places
in The Cathedral which had been al
lotted to them The heralds stood at
tie entrance to the Cathedral, and a
group of clergymen, headed by the Me-
tropolitan of St. Petersburg, stood
around the main door, awaiting the ar
rival of Emperor Nicholas II and the
Imperial family, who, when they did
arrive were escorted by the Metropoli-
tan and his attendants to places at the
foot Of the coffin which was slightly
raised at the head with the feet towards
the altar Close to the altar was dais
with a platform wide enough to accom-
modate most of the principal mourners.
The whole dais was covered with can
opy.
GRANDEST OF FUNERALS.
The religious service over the body
of The dead Emperor was probably the
most magnificent funeral ceremony OF
modern times, in its external aspects
far excelling in beauty and grandeur
The memorable burial service of Alex
ander II. The music was divine and the
performance of the liturgy sublime in
the extreme.
The surroundings were subdued in
color, but they were of quiet character
which greatly enhanced the splendor of
the whole scene. The cream of the roy
atty and nobility of the empire assisted
at the service and Princes of the blood,
prelates of the orthodox church, noble
men, representatives of foreign sover-
eigns and Princes. foreign diplomats
and other distinguished personages join
ed in the devouons and pleadings to
heaven for the repose of the soul of the
dead
Prominent among the assembled thou
sands were the splendidly robed members
of the Holy Synod, the Metropolitans of
St. Petersburg and Novgorod, the Czar's
Confessor, the clergy of St. Petersburg
and vicinity, and the court dignitaries,
among whom were the ladies of honor,
the ladies of the bed chamber and ladies
in waiting, all robed in deep black,
which, in some instances. was partially
relieved by white scarfs. collars or
drapery. Besides these there were SER
ried masses of officials. ministers, field
marshals, generals, admirals, Secre-
taries of State. ETC.. all in full uniform,
and displaying many decorations; the
Czarina's suite, the members of the State
Council, the members of the Senate and
all of the foreign ambassadors, includ-
ing Mr.. C. R. Breckenridge, Ambassador
of the United States.
SIGNAL GUNS.
The signal for the services to begin
was the firing of three guns from the
Fortress. Just as the third gun was
fired Emperor Nicholas II. and the I'm
perial family appeared at the west door
of the cathedral. and, preceded by the
Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and the
members of the Holy Synod, all of them
magnificently robed in vestments of
black and silver, passed through the
body of the edifice towards the cata-
falque. The Metropolitan of St. Peters
burg carried the great cruciix as the
chief of the Holy Synod, and as the pro-
cession passed towards the catafalque
sprinkled holy water upon those about
him, at the same time audibly repeating
& prayer.
MORTUARY MASS
After the Czar and the Imperial family
and the Holy Synod had taken their
places, the Metropolitan and the clergy
standing in a semi-circle around the
head of the coffin, the Metropolitan be-
gan the mortuary mass, which. with the
exception of the elaborate music and
the general splendor of the occasion
was the same as the service for the
dead which is said for any other faithful
member of the Orthodox Church.
At noon the air inside the Church was
heavy with incense and the dim light
within was started with thousands
Of tapers, each mourner and visitor
holding one The first taper was lighted
by the Gear. AS His Majesty lighted his
taper he held it aloft and from it slowly
spread a stream of light. When the
other tapers were lighted the scene was
one of rarest beauty, the sanctuary and
the body of the ediffce sparkling as
though jeweled with emeralds sapphir-
IS, opals, etc, All present were standing
the Car with the Imperial family and
the visiting royalties on the right side
Of the coffin. The Czarina, pale and fra
gle and looking much affected, stood
oy the side of the Gar. With these were
! The Princess of Wales, the Duchess OF
4 coburg, King Christian of Denmark
sae Prince of Wales. in the blue. orange