The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-12
EASTER SERVICE
During This Celebration the Spirit of
Genuine Democracy Prevails-Un-
rivalled Scenes OF Beauty and Mag
nificance Take Place-The Celebra-
ton at the Palace One Of Stately
Beauty-Scenes OF Rejoicing Over
All the Cty-The Red Letter Night
OF the Russian Calendar.

St Petersburg. April 9.-The Russian
church and the Russian people at mid
night celebrated the resurrection of the
Saviour. For dramatic effect this Rms
sian Easter service is unriyalled. For
this one night the spirit OF genuine
democracy reigns in autocratic Russia.
Upon the acclaiming OF the arising of
Christ, the great white Car saIutes
with 8. kiss the sentry posted at the
palace door. and the highest dignitary
and the lowest Mujik exchange the
joyful tidings with equal freedom.
In honor Of the great religious fes-
tlvai. Russia's capital was adorned and
Illuminated. From every building hung
the national colors and in every win
dow burned candle, a privilege per-
mltted only on this red letter night of
the Russian calendar The scene at the
palace was one of stately magnificepce
Ihe ceremony was carried out in ae-
cordance with the strickest Journalism.
The rank and beauty of the empire
were assembled. The gorgeous blaze
Of mufi-colored uniforms. the pictrr-
esque national dresses and the court
ladies and the glitter Of stars and dec
orations. made a brilliant picturA-
At the door of the chapel two gil
gantic grenadiers, attired in superb
uniforms, acted as sentinels. The doors
Leading to the imperial apartments were
guarded by the Emperor's manelukes
and Arab footmen.
At half past eleven o'clock a. gun
doomed from the fortress of st. Peter
and St. Paul on the opposite side of the
Neva.Within the church, the solemn
service was proceeding in the presence
Of only the officiating clergy and the
Court Chaplain Yangsheff Behind the
1konaStaS. which concealed the Holy
Sepulchre from all eyes, the mystery
took place. When the court Chaplain
In gorgeous vestments. approached the
golden gates. the doors flew open and
the winding sheet was lifted. The tomb
was empty. Turning as Christ's dist
pies did, the clergy, with the, banners
OF the church aloft, passed to the door
seeking the vanished Saviour. AS they
reached the entrance. the Emperor's
Arabs threw wide the portals, reveal
ing the imperial procession. Simulta-
neously the imperial choir OF men and
boys, which is unequalled even by the
Sistine choir OF Rome began to chant
softly. Slowly and majestically the pro-
cession moved into the chapel, the
clergy retreating to the high altar as it
advanced.
The Emperor escorted his mother.
who was arrayed in spotless white The
leaned on the arm OF the heir appa-
rent. Before the splendid altar the i'm
perial procession halted and the Court
ChaplainYangsheff. in resonant tones.
announced in the old Slavic tongue Of
the Russian church Christ is risen.''
Christ is risen indeed" replied the
Emperor in echo. AS these words were
pronounced the choir burst forth into
triumphant paean. Outside a signal
shot up into the sky, the cannon at
the fortress roared. with one voice all
the ass-throated bells OF the city
rang out a wild peal.
Then followed scenes OF rejoicing.
men and women, irrespective OF class,
embraced and kissed each other before
returning home to the Easter feast.
Similar rejoicing occurred at the pal
ace. After pascal hymns and mass had
been sung the Emperor embraced. first
the Empress, then his mother and then
the other members OF the imperial fam
lily. kissing each three times and ex-
changing the salutation Christ is Ris-
en-" He is Risen Indeed"
The conclusion OF the service was
marked by the firing Of one hundred
and twenty-five guns from the fortress
AS the CZar left the chapel, he stopped
to greet the sentinels at the door, kiss
ing each ON the cheek.