Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-11-30
INTERMBNT OF THE GEAR
THE CEREMONY IN RUSSIA'S
FORTRESS CATHEDRAL.

Services at st. Peter and St Paul in
st. Petersburs-The Most Magnifi-
cent Obsequies of Modern Times
The Imperial Family Take Leave
of Their Dead.
The entombment of the remains of the late
Gear Alexander III, of Russia, took place
in the Cathedral of ST. Peter and ST. Paul,
st. Petersburg.
A thick fog enveloped the city, but the
populace was astir at the earliest possible
hour. and ut 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 were received at the door OF
the Cathedral by the Metropolitan of st.
Petersburg and by oil the members Of the
Holy Synod, bearing crosses and holy water.
The Imperial party formed in solemn
procession, which marched up the aisle until
the Gar and other mourners reached their
appointed places.
The funeral services then commenced, and
during its progress tapers were handed to
all the smOurners, and then the High Priest,
with a burning torch, lighted the Cars
tapers, 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
kneeIing and holding Pickering tapers in
their right hands, which, with the clouds OF
incense, accompanied by the solemn chant
ing of the priests, gave the most weird cnect
to the whole scene.
At the conclusion of the funeral services
the members of the Imperial family paid
their last respects to the dead Gar. kissing
tho icon lying on his breast. The Car as
sisted the Czarina, who was terribly affected.
Eight generals then removed the pail and
carried the coffin to the altar, while eight
other generals bore the pail behind the
casket The Czar then placed his fathers
Imperial mantle within the coffin, 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
solemn chant. The clergy were followed by
the coffin, which was borne by the Gar, the
Grand Dukes, foreign princes and the most
distinguished generals.
A number of the highest civil officers Of
the Government also assisted in conveying
the remains of the Gar to the tomb, where
the burial service was read and the coffin
was slowly lowered into the vault.
This was the most striking portion of the
ceremony. AS the coffin disappeared from
view the loud booming Of cannon and the
savous fired by olatoons of infantry from
the adjoining fortress reverberated through
the church. and the lowering Of the mourn
ing flag and the hoisting ofthe ordinary I'M
perial standard on the fortress tower pro-
claimed to the outside world that the last
act in the mournful drama had been con-
cluded.
The Car bore the ordeal with fortitude,
but many among the group ofImperial and
royal personages clustered around the open
grave were visi5ly affected. The Gar re-
manned In the church until the tomb was
finally closed.
After this last ceremony the Imperial in
sigma were carried back in state in num-
Der of carriages to the Winter Palace, and
vera 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 EeIghborhood of that
building was suspended during the service,
and there was large Guard of Honor out
side the church.
Emperor William, in Russian uniform, ac-
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 many
other notables we're present.