Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-26
Chieaqo Rseora

iha Oath Prescribed.
Chicago Record
Thirty loyal subjects OF the Gar
sWOre allegiance yesterday 20 the new
potentate Of all the RusSias.
The little Russian chapel st - Center
avenue was the point to which worship
ers Of the orthodox church turned.
High mass was celebrated by Father
Ambrose Wrstts, and after the services
were over the oath Of fealty was admin
tered from the altar.
There Is nothing TO distinguish the
shrine OF the Russians 10 Chicago from
the other buildings 10 the block where
IL is located except the three-barred
cross OF the Greek church nailed on
the wall. On the first floor is the
church proper, while the remainder ef
the building Is devoted 20 the offices OF
the Russian consular Office and the res
idence Of the pastor. The imperial
government sustainS the church, pays
the salary of the pastor and his assist
ant, and rigid adherence 10 the pre-
scribsd rites OF the church Of ST. Pc
tersburg Is maintained.
SERVICES IN THE CHURCH.
There are no seats In the church, the
Worshipers remaining standing, except
when they kneel in prayer, throughout
the services. One hundred persons
comprised the congregation yesterday,
more than half of whom were women.
Fumlng censers swung before the many
sacred images which husg on the walls.
The devotees are separated from the
holy Of holes by ikOnOstGz, partition
adorned with icons. The priest is foe
she most time concealed behind the
wall, and during the reading aAd re-
spOnses bis voice issues from conceal
ment.
Great candles surrounded by little
flames before the altar and the gloomy
glare OF swinging censers shed the only
light 10 the room. Consul de Thai,
wearing the imperial decoration OF ST.
John, stood with a number OF prom
inent Russians In the front line OF wor-
shippers. Towering over the hesdds OF
the others was Michel Gatikoshvili, one
of Buffalo Bil's cossacks who stopped
in Chicago 20 swear fealty to Nicholas
H., while on his way from San Francis
co 90 Moscow. He wore the cOssack
regimentals, with a long skirted coat
and In his belt the dagger, long sword
and pistols OF a Tartar warrior.
The special prayer for the preServa-
tIOn of the Russian monarch which
became a part Of the ritual after the
first attempt made on the life Of Alex
ander III. by nihiiists was said. Father
Wretta was envelODed 10 the capaciOus
surDlice OF the Greek clergy, with its
stiff, high back and large flowing
sleeves The lesser candles as they
burned low we're replaced, members OF
the congregation filing the sockets with
the candles purchased from a stand just
outside the door OF the chapel.
TOOK THE OATH OF FEALTY.
After the sacrament those who ie-
sired to take the oath of loyalty 80 the
new car stepped 10 front OF tho altar
Slowly and impressively, with long
Uauses between the ditfereIt clauses,
the oath was read Oy the priest and
after him repeated phrase by phrase by
thOse who took the vow. The oath was
NC same as that~administered 0y the
rt Of So. Petersburg aud its terms
wSA---S~-~
III do promise and swear by the
Almighty God, before His holy scrip
lures, that / will and must serve truly
aud not falsely his imperial majesty,
my real and innate, most great and
gracious monarch and emperor, NicOlaY
Alexandrovitch, autocrat OF all the
RusSias, ADD his i'm perial majesty's heir,
his imperial highneSS, the Czarowitz and
Grand Duke George AleXandrOyltch; 10
obey him, not Sparing my life 20
the last drop Of my blood; TO keep and
defend all belonging 10 mis- DaJesty'S
sovereign power might, rights and pre-
negatives decreed and which shall be
decreed, 90 my utmost understanding,
strengt aud ability; TO warn and defend,
aud at the same time, with all my en-
deavors, 20 assist In all cases concerned
in the loyal services Of his imperial
majesty ana for the benefit Of the state,
let 10 DO known as soon as l learn OF any
damage, injury or loss affecting the in-
tsrests OF his imperial majesty, aud to
use al measur6'tO turn aside and hinder
such; 20 keepHdithfully every secret in.
~ 90 me aud the duties placed
/dpoG~sbe 20 conformity with this gen.
eral decree and the Instructions, rules
anu ukases which will be from time to
time especially decreed by my superb
Ors in the name OF his imperial majesty;
20 serve ia faithful aud proper man
ner and not 10 act FOR my own interests,
property, friendships or enmities, and
80 conduct myself decently, as 10 be-
comes true subject of his imperial
majesty. AS l am always responsible
before God and His awful judgment, so
God will help me 10 soul aud body. To
conclusion OF this oath kiss the book
And the cross OF my Savior"
A-c1s~6 NOne the newly vowed subjects
Of the car fled before the table on
which were latd the bible and the cross
and kissed them 'revereuty. All signed
the oath, which will De sent by Consul
de Thai 20 the government at St. Pc
terSbUrg. Those citizens of Russia In
Chicago Of other faith than the Ortho-
dox Greek church assembled at the
house az . o'clock In the afternoon and
vowed their loyalty TO Nicholas III.
nHWwe