The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-17

cent rooms for the use of the late Gar
and now widowed Empress. and their
private chapel. ending with a banqueting
hall used OF the occasion of all corona
tons, including that of Alexander i'll.
and hts Empress.
After that came the old part of the
Palace, which dates from the Fifteenth
Century and then We proceeded 10 the
ancient RomanoG Palace. which existed
before the kremiin. ana was Inhabited
previous TO the last dynasty. Here the
audience chamber has one very low On
trance. so that you can only pass through
on your knees. An amusing anecd0te Is
told IN connection with II. one of the
Emperors received all of the AmbdsSa-
doris there, and this door was purposely
made so low 10 Oblicc them TO enter his
presence on their knees as evidence that.
being representative of other SoNereignS.
they were in his estimation beneath him
self. and that he was above all other
EmperOrs and Kings. The French Am
bassadOr hearing OF this. and considering
that the King of France was equal 10
the Gar OF all the RussiaS If not of
greater importance, was determined not
TO be beaten; so. finding himself obliged
TO 10 down on his knees. he entered back
wards, thus triumphing over the naughty
monarch by turning his back on him.
We were then taken to the private
chapel, ana inspeCtedNthc Vestments worn
by the patriarchs OF Moscow, new at the
coronation of each Car. and used only
Till the death OF that Emperor They
We're Of crimson velvet, richly emDroid-
cred with gold. We saw those worn at
the coronation OF Alexander IT,, grand
father OF the present sovereign. The
patriarchs are now called aTchbishops.
the Archbishop Of Moscow being the
chief; bur the Car himself is the head
OF the Russian church, although not in
priests orders. lie even crowns HIM
self at the coronation. and then crowns
the Czarina, and himself takes from the
altar the holy Eucarist and aiterward
makes his sc'emn vows.
on the first sunday of our visit TO
MOSCOW Prince DOlgOrOukOft. the Cover
nOr-General. kindly invited us 10 he
present at High Mass IN the private
chapel of the palace. The music was
all vocal, the singers being out of sight
as they always are In the Greek Church.
an arrangement which adds greatly to
The descriptions OF the marriage OF the
present Car. no instrumental music is
ever allowed IN the Orthodox Church
The altar stands behind golden gates.
ed In fresco sacred subjects: the priests
and deacons remain behind the doors
out or sight Suddenly the gates burst
open; the Gloria arises from the inyisihle
choir, while the Gospel is brought ont by
deacons between two huge fights. 10 he
read by the High Priest TO the people.
me gar Is the only layman allowed
10 go behind the golden gates into the
SANCTUARY. curious incident occurred
while We were there. 4 little baby i'm
arms received the Holy Communion. The
tune. carried II up TO the priest at the
altar raj! and he dipped the Holy bread
IN the Challce ana fed the child with
spoon. The Greek Church holds that Y
You give infants the sacrament of ban
tiSm you have no right 10 withhold The
other sacrament from them. At the end
OF Mass the High Priest brings a Cruci-
Tx WIN our Lords figure painted on IL.
ana an present 30 up TO il and knccl
before II. II is a curious fact about the
russian crucihXes. which one sees In such
large numbers. that they are only paint
Image Is forbidden: this. as we know
from history having been the cause of |
inc nrst rupture between the Eastern
and Western Churches.
another very Interesting experience |
was our visit to the Strastnoi Convent |
a little way out Of the city. From the |
tower rs TO be seen 10y far the finest view !
OF MOSCOW. We were the first English |
ladies' who had ever visited the convent, |
Ihe Lazy AbDess, dear. kind old lady. |
Of the nuns TO show us about ana one |
pretty young Polish novice 20 act as in |
Ierpreter. because she smoke French
fhey showed MS their refectorv. their
workroom and heir cells; he latter
formed Of single partitions reaching
laif way up 10 .he ceiling and down The
ength OF one long han. Everything was ]
clean, and the cells rather |
more furnished than one would have ex- |
'ected 10 find them. but quite In the sim
In the chapel they have a miraculous
cen. believed 10 be capable OF curing !
III msisdies:. and OF this they told us
o us the music used at High Mass. as
veil as the Song of the Cherubim. and
emsls voices seeming very soft and