The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-27
Their Obligations an Rulers Of All the
Russias Impressed ON Them by
Long, Elaborate Ceremonies.
AMOUNTED In A HOLY PLACE,
AFTER IMPRESSIVE CORONATION
EXERCISES IN THE CATHEDRALs.
Imperial Ukase Issued, Bestowing
Many HOnOrs, and n Manifesto An
nouncfng Acts of Clemency.

all the Russias, and her Majesty, the En-
press Alexandra Feodorovna, were solemnly
crowned to-day in the Cathedral Of the AS
sumption, with the utmost ceremony and
in accordance with all the religious forms
and ancient rites.
At o'clock this morning the ceremonies
began with a salute of twenty-one cannon
shots. marking the opening of the day. and
at the same hour in the bells
in the Cathedral of the As
sumption began ringing. Half an hour
later the court digntaries and distinguished
persons who were to take part in the i'm
perial cortege began to assemble in the
halls of the palace and in the cathedral.
The ladies wore court dresses and the dig
nitarIes were in full uniform. The ENJOYS
extraordinary. the ambassadors. the min
listers plenipotentiary and the charges
d affaires, with their wives. as we'll as rep
resentatves of the diplomatic corps. assem-
bled at the Palace of the Kremlin shortly
after s o'clock. and were invited by the
master Of ceremonies to the Cathedral of
the Assumption to take the place reserved
for them. Troops were stationed every
where, double lines being formed in all pos
sible places.
A TIE Deum was celebrated in the Kremlin
Cathedral at o'clock in the morning, and
after prayers the clergy in full canonicals,
assembled in front of the cathedral to re-
ceive her Majesty, the ex-Czarina Marie
Feodorovna. The latter on the conclusion
of the TIE Deum, went to the Cathedral Of
the Assumption, accompanied by the MEM
bers of the imperial family OF the highest
rank with the exception of those who were
to take part in the Emperor's procession, and
by the distinguished guests of their Majes-
ties. The train of the ex-Czarina was car
ried by four court chamberlains, and the
imperial mantle was held up by two court
officials on each side. the train Of the man.
tie being carried by a grand dignitary OF
the imperial court. In front Of the Cathe-
dral of the Assumption her Majesty was re-
ceived by the metropolitan or MOSCOW, who
presented her with the cross and hoiy wa
te-. Her Majesty then received the benedic-
ton of the clergy and was escorted to her
seat on the throne Of the Car Alexis Mix
haiovitch.. which had been placed on spe-
ed by a beautiful canopy. Their imperial
highnesses, the grand duchesses and the
grand dukes and the august guests and their
Majesties took the places set apart Tor
them, and the grand master of the cere-
monies of the imperial court stationed him
self to the right of the estrada. The MEM
bers of the military households OF the in
perial grand dukes and of the foreign
princes were afterwards escorted to their
places by the master of ceremonies.
THE GRAND PROCESSION.
So soon as the procession of her Majesty,
the ex-Czarina, had started for the Cathe-
dral of the Assumption. the high court digni-
taries, who had assembled at the palace re-
ceived the imperial insignia in the throne
hall and took up the stations allotted to them
in the cortege of the Emperor. Before the
procession started the grand almoner of their
Majesties, bearing large golden cross
studded with jewels and assisted by two
deacons carrying golden bowl filled with
holy water, sprinkled the whole route which
was to be followed by their Majesties from
the palace to the Cathedral OF the Assump-
departure for the cathedral of the Assump-
ton having been announced, the Car and
Czarina made their entrance into the throne
hall and seated themselves on their thrones,
ment later signal announced that the time
had arrived for the departure of the imperial
cortege, and the latter moved towards the
The grand procession was headed by the
Chevalier guards Of the ex-EmpresS Marie
Feodorovna. The imperial insignia, borne
by high court dignitaries. included the collar
OF the Order OF st. Andrew Of the Czarina
the sword the standard and the seal OF the
empire; the imperial mantles OF thei- Maj
esties; the globe the sceDter and the crowns
OF the Empress and Emperor. As their Maj
esties approached the entrance of the
cathedral the metropolitan Of Moscow pro-
tan Of st: Petersburg presented the cross TO
their Ma5esties. and the metropolitan of
Kieff presented them with holy water. En-
tering the cathedral their Majesties bowed
to the knee three times before holy door
and venerated the sanity images They aft
erwards moved towards the estrada and took
their seats on the thrones OF the Cars
Michael Feodorovitch ana John III. The
archbishops, archimandri:es and the officia t
ing clergy placed themselves in two ranks
between the estrada OF the throne and the
perial mantles stationed themselves on the
first step Of the throne. A dignitary holding
step of the throne, while the bearer of the
standard occupied position on the third
step Other auxiliaries 10 the pageant were
grouped about in suitable order.
The ceremony of the coronation and an
ointment was then accomplished as fol-
lows: The metropolitan of st. Petersburg
mounted the steps of the throne, placed him.
self In front OF the Emperor and invited his
Majesty to make, before his faithful sub
5ects, and in loud voice, his profession of
orthodox faith, and presented him with the
open book, from which the Emperor recited
the symbol of the faith. The metropolitan
then left the estrada and after the reading
of the holy gospels the metropolitans OF ST.
Petersburg and of Kieff mounted the steps
to the throne The Emperor arose and. TAX
ing of the collar of the Order of ST. An
drew, ordered that the imperial mantle with
the collar, in diamonds, of that order, be
presented to him. They were presented on
cushions by the metropolitans of ST. Peters
burg and Kieff, who also assisted his Maj
esty 10 put on the mantle. The metropolitan
of st. Petersburg then pronounced the
words: I'm nomine. PATHS, ct Fiji, ct Spir-
titus Sancti, amen" One OF the assistants
Of lis Majesty adjusted the imperial mantle.
His Majesty received the pontifical benedic-
ton of the metropolitan of st. Petersburg
who placed his hands on the Cars head in
the form Of a cross. reciting the two prayers
prescribed by the ritual.
THEIR MAJESTIES CROWNED.
The prayers terminated. the Emperor or
dered that the imperial crown be presented
to him. Thereupon the metropolitan of ST.
Petersburg took the imperial crown and
handed it to the Emperor. who took it in
his hands and placed 1t on his head. The
metropolitan then in a loud voice pronounced
the prescribed allocution. In similar man
ner his Majesty caused TO be presented to
him the scepter and the globe. and having
taken the scepter in his right hand and the
globe In his left hand. he seated himself
upon the throne. A few moments later his
Majesty arose and placed the scepter and
called upon her Majesty. the Empress
Alexandra Feodorovna TO approach. and she
kneit before him on a velvet cushion richly
embroidered with gold. His Majesty there
head and touched with II the forehead OF the
Empress He then replaced the crown on his
own head. His Majesty afterwards took I'D
the crown of the Empress and placed 1t on
perial mantle and the collar OF the Order
~ 81 Andrew were next presented with the