The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-30
ST. PETERSBURG, CELEBRATES
NONE OF THE EXPECTED DISOR-
DER AT THE BI-CENTENARY.
New Troilsky Bridge Opened by tho Gar
with Impressive OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Of Peter the Great Carried In tho
Religious PrOcessiOn--S0me Arrests.

with Impressive Ceremonies Relics
Of Peter the Great Carried in the
Religious Processi0n-Somc Arrests.
.speriai Cab. Despatch to THE sun.
ST. PETERSBURG. May 2s.--The fetes in
celebration Of the bi-centenary OF st.
Petersburg opened auspiciously to-day.
The weather was splendid, and the streets
were filed with immense good-natured
and orderly crowds.
There was an imposing procession, headed
by an array OF priests, to the Cathedral Of
st. Isaac. where a solemn service was held.
The Car and Czarina and the chief digni-
taries Of the empire attended
The most important ceremonies we're
the opening by the Car Of the new Troilsky
Bridge across the Neva. and procession
on the Neva in which an ikon Of Peter the
Great and boat belonging to that Emperor
were carried
The celebration began at 4the little house
of Peter the Great" which, according to
tradition, was built by Peter himself on the
riverside. This is tiny house of two
rooms. containing relics Of the great En-
peror, including an ikon of the Saviour,
which accompanied Peter in all his cam
paigns.
Priests removed the kon to the vessels
designed to lead the procession, on which
were many OF the clergy. Following this,
the boat built by Peter, which is remark
ably we'll preserved. was carried out by
sailors and placed on a high framework
on a barge.
At the appointed time the vessel bearing
the ikon started gorgeously robed choir
in the bow chanting necessarily. A number
Of priests in brocaded robes were grouped
around the ikon. The barge bearing the
boat was. towed by launch. This was
followed 'by a number of State vessels
bearing prominent personages.
The procession passed through a double
line of vessels for mile and a half, past
the Troilsky Bridge. palaces and embassies,
amid the ceaseless noise of salutes, the
playing of bands. the pealing Of bells and
chanting choristers to the Square of Peter
the Great
Here grand procession from the cathe-
dral. headed by the Metropolitan Of st.
Petersburg, came to the quay and met the
river procession, and the two assemblages,
joining, bore the ikon in solemn state to the
cathedral, where the service began.
During the initial part Of the service
the Gar, attended by his family, opened
the Troilsky Bridge. the ceremony includ
ing a prolonged religious service In the
open air. After the formal opening Of
the bridge the imperial party drove to the
cathedral and participated in the remain
der Of the service there.
Thence they marched in procession with
the priests to the Square Of Peter the Great.
where solemn thanksgiving was held
and prayers offered for the repose Of the
soul Of Peter the Great.
There was an immense throng in the
square. which was deeply lined with troops.
The spectacle was magnificent one After
ward the Car witnessed a march past
by the troops. In the evening the ships
in the Neva and thu city were brilliantly
Illuminated.
There we're a number Of arrests Of polti-
cal suspects and agitators last night