Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-27
CAR CROWNED.
Continued from page H.

| was dressed In a Silve robe with long
train, which was borne by four pages.
| Arriving at the altar steps, the
Metropolitan Of Moscow and the Grand
Duke Sergius welcomed the Emperor
and Empress in the holy building. The
Metropolitan of ST. Petersburg pre-
scented the cross for them to kiss. and
the Metropolitan of Kieff presented
them with the holy water.
| After bowling three times before the
altar. and kissing the sacred images,
their majesties assembled the steps and
took their places in front of the altar,
with their backs to the throne. The
scene was one of great beauty, as the
imperial couple stood awaiting the SER
vice (which was to proclaim them EN-
peror and Empress of all the Russias.
| The blaze of gold and silver the brill
liancy of the uniforms and orders the
richness of the Russian court toilets
worn by the ladies, the sparkling Of
| precious gems, the clouds of incense
rising from behind the inconostas and
prevailing the church, the solemn sweet
ness of the singing, which now again
began. all contributed to the Splcndor
of the occasion.
i AS the Emperor and Empress entered
the cathedral the choir sang psalm 10l,
''miseri cordiam ct judicium cantabo
tibi domino
| The Metropolitan of st. Petersburg,
as the hymn ceased, stepped forward
and handed -the Emperor missal say
ing: "Gratias spiritus sancti sit semper
tecum. Amen" and bidding him read
aloud the orthodox creed. which he did
in a voice audible to all This was
followed by the reading of the Litany
with prayers for Gods blessing upon
the Cars government. The choir then
sang God is the Lord" with the re-
Spouse, Lord save the people,
| The Metropoitans of Kief and ST
Petersburg then assisted the Gar to
don the imperial mantle made of cloth
of gold lined with ermine. which was
presented on two golden cushions by
court chamberlains. After DOMINIC the
mantle the Emperor assumed the dia-
mord collar of st. Andrew, the Metro
politan of st. Petersburg saying: In
nomine PATHS ct fill ct sipritus sancti
Amen"
| Then turning to the altar the Car
bowed his head to the prelate of Nov
grood. who crossed his hands upon his
Majesty's forehead and said: May the
| Lord anoint him with the oil of Joy.
may He clothe him power and place up
his head a crown of precious stones of
Ions life; may He give unto his right
| hand the scepter of salvation. set him
upon the throne of Righteousness, and
preserve with His protection the es-
tablished rule"
| Immediately after this the Car re-
ceiyed the crown from the Metropol-
tan of st. Petersburg. and. standing in
| full sight of all the people. and still
before the altar,with both hands placed
the crown upon his head. Then taking
his scepter, in which blazed the famous
| Or.off diamond, in his right hand. and
the globe of the empire in his left, he
assembled the dais and took his seat up
on the throne. the Empress still stand
ing in her former place.
| This was the supreme moment of all.
and when gazing round the church and
seeing representatives, from nearly every
district of this mighty empire, and be
| holding the Gar sitting on his throne
| of state with the symbols of power
given to him by the highest authority
| in the land, one had a realizing sense
of the great power welded by the man
in whose honor this great function was
held.
AT the moment of taking his seat on
the throne, the cannon of the arsenal
| Murdered forth. the bells rang. and the
| bands massed outside. played the ma
ti"n3l anthem. The Emperor. after
merely occupying the throne for n few
seconds. rose and placing the scepter
and the globe on the table by his side,
turned to the Empress and taking off
his crown touched her head with it.
She then knclt before him on crimson
velvet cushion, when the Emperor
| placed upon her head her own crown.
which is surmounted by large sap
phiie.
The Empress ladies of honor fixed
the crown on her head with a gold
COMP and then robed her in her mantle
| OF cloth of gold, ermine-lined like the
tinperor's. She was also invested with
the collar OF st. Andrew, and she was
led to her throne by the Emperor. and
remained seated by his side
! Inc emperor then resumed his seen
Ter ana orb and the clergy broke forth
| INTO the magnificent anthem, Domino
| Saivum Fac 1mperatorem' and Do
| mine Salvum Fac Imperatricem." of
| course in the old Sclavonic tongue. the
| choir answering "Ad MuItos Amos"
The members of the imperial family
| and the foreign princes now advanced
| and congratulated the imperial couple.
while others in the church bowed thrice
| toward the throne, thus expressing
| their fluctuations. Suddenly the can
non. bells and bands ceased and a deep
silence ensued, while the Car knelt
and solemnly uttered the following
prayer:
Lord God of my fathers. King of
| Kings. by whose single word the uni
'erse was created and by whose wis
dom the destiny of mankind is guided.
| Thou rulest the world in holiness and
| justice. Thou hast elected me to be A
| ruler OF this thy people. | trust in thy
goodness toward me. 1 thank thee and
| bow to thy power. Direct thou my way
in the accomplishment of the mission
| which thou hast entrusted to me- En-
| dow me with the knowledge of the
| right, strengthen my hands for this
great work. May / be permeated with
l a 4.