The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-24
new RUSSIAN CHURCH OPENED
WITH GORGEOUS CEREMONIES AT
ITS DEDICATION.
Russian Ambassador. the Mayor. an
Episcopal Bishop and Guests From All
Parts Of the Country There In Honor
OF the Russian Bishop and His Charge.

Episcopal Bishop and Guests From All
Parts OF the Country There In Honor
Of the Russian Bishop and His charge.
The most impressive rites OF the Russian
Church were employed yesterday morning in
the dedication Of the new Orthodox Church
OF st. Nicholas in Fast Ninety seventh
street, between Madison and Fifth avenues.
Nearly all Of the Russian priests In this
country were present in gorgeous vest
ments, swelling the pomp and grandeur
OF the ceremonies These occupied moro
than three hours.
The new building which cost $4,000
is Of distinct Russian architecture and made
a fitting scene for the elaborate ceremonies.
The rich costumes OF the clergy were set
OF by the brilliant military attire OF the
Russian Ambassador and his stah and the
several other representatives Of the Cars
Government.
The church was dedicated by Bishop
Tikhon of California the head OF the Rus
sian Church in America, who will spend
much OF his time in New York since his
church has found so fine a home here. Tho
Bishop was assisted by the rector Of the
church. the Rev. Alexander Hotovitsky; the
assistant rector. the Rev Elias Zatikoh;
Archimandrite Anatoe, president OF the
Missionary College Of Minneapolis; Archi-
mandrite Raphael. rector OF the Syro-
Arabian Church Of New York; Archpriest
Alexis 10th Of Wilkes-Barre; tho Rev. John
yedzelnitzay II Allegheny, Pa, and these
priests: The Rcvs. NJ Turkwitch of Bridge
port, Conn Ptolcmv Timchenkof OF An
sonia, Conn. John Kochruof Of Chicago;
Alexander Vemolofsky Of Philadelphia;
Elias Klopotovskv 81 Old Forge. Pa; W.
Kalness Of Buffalo: John Kagnowbze Of
Cleveland. Ohio. Tikhon Rotosvh Of Troy.
Anthony Dovoschuk Of Passaic, n. j., and
Theodore Buketoff of Shepton, Pa.
Count Cassini the Russian Ambassador.
was present with the Countess Cassini and
Miss Desplanques. the fancee Of Ambas-
sador Pavlof to Corea. His whole stan
from Washington came with him. The
Russian Consul-General, Nicholas Lady
genskv; Baron Schlippenbach. Consul at
Chicago. and y Strive the Consul-ieneral
to Canada. were also present.
Bishop Grafton Of the Protestant Epis-
copal diocese of Fond du Lac wore his vest
men,s and participated in the ceremonies
out of compliment TO Bishop Tikhon. who
not long ago attended the cor =ac alton
Of the Protest ant Fpiscopal Coadjutor
Bishop al Fond du Lac. Or. Huntington
OF Grace nlicn ana p'ltI NtW 1 VI 'i'i ~
men we're in the church.
Thnre are no srats in the houses 81 wor-
shin Of the Russian Church. The wor.
shirp'rs stand OF kneel during the mass:
For YESTERDAYS ceremonies number oi
chairs had been put IN for the comfort OF
the visitors, among whom was Mayor Low.
The body Of priests legan the service by
blessing the water, and then, fully vested,
carried heavy gold cross TO the door where
they received Bishop Tikhon while hymns
were sung Bishop Tikhon went 70 dals
in the centre a the room, where he was
clothed with the customary episcopal vest
ments. and a white tunc was put over them
Led iv the Bishop, the clergy then entered
the sanctuary, and the a le 81 the altar WAS
fastened in is place. Il was .prinkled with
holy water, with roS" water and with wine,
and anoin,ed with holy chrism. A second
covering was added and on this were placed
the antiminis. the tabernacle. the book OF
the G ,sDels and the cross.
With a golden censor, the bishop tnen
went about the church. and. while the
the smoke Of the incense rose, one priest
sprinklad the walls II the church with holy
wa or while another with along pole awaited
them with holy chrisrn. making the mark
Of the eros. hi Oh on the white surface OF each
wall On returning to the sanctuary
the Bishop lighted a taper from the censor
and from this the other 'apers wer" lighted
until all in fixpd places about the church
were burning, while the worship2ers held
mo lighted candies in their hands.
Then. placing on his head the antirninis
containing the holy relics the Bishop led a
procession TO The outer steps OF the church.
As he faced about TO return, the BISHOP
cried ont in Russian: Lift up your heads.
oh. We gates. and the King OF Glory shall
come in"
who is this King OF Glory'' the choir
asked
To this the Bishop intoned the answer.
"Ihe Lord OF Hosts He is the King oi Glory
Entering the church, he then laid the
antiriinis on the altar and read prayer
for the founders Of the Church.
Surrounded by the clergy, the Bishop
then went to ne centre OF the church once
more and hlas sed the church with the con
s"craiod cross, while the deacon and choir
iatoned litany.
After the blessing a benediction was
said for the imperial house OF Russia, for
tho Prns idnnt Of the United States, for the
Holy synod and for the founders and
practitioners Of the temple.
BISHOP Tikhon preached in Russian,
The Is shop is n man still in middle age,
full bearded, as were most OF the Russian
priests present. and wearing his hair 10
his shoulders After his sermon the rect or
made short address In English. The
usual high mass OF the Russian Church was
'hcr celebrated.
A. the close Of the exercises ther" was
reception in the priests house. which adj
Joins the church, and in It's exterior is Of
tho same style of architecture, Count
Cassni and his STAFF were, with Bishop Tx
Won, the guests of honor.