The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-10
Easter Service in Russia Full Of
Dramatic Effect
THE WHOLE EMP RE REJOICES
Entrance of Nicholas to the Chapel and
and the Speaking of the Words,
"Christ Is Risen," the Signal
for Booming of Cannon.

st. Petersburg. April 9.-The Russian
church and Russian people at midnight
celebrated the resurrection of the Sa-
vor For dramatic effect this Russian
Easter service Is unrivalled. For this
one night the spirit of genulone democ-
racy reigns In autocratic Russia. Upon
the acclaimlng of the rising of Christ
the great White Car salutes with a kiss
the sentry posted at the palace door and
the highest dignitary and the lowest mu-
jik exchange joyful tidngs with equal
freedom
In honor of the great religious festival
Russia's capital was adorned and illumi'
mated. From every building hung the
national colors, and in every window
burned candle, privilege permitted on
ly on this red letter night OF the Russian
calendar.
The most popular places of the eelehra-
ton of the event were Peter the Greats
little house across the Neva. where re-
poses the Ikon which. according to Rus
sian legends saved the day at Poltava;
the cathedral of Our Lady of Kasan. who
helped drive the Poles back from Mos
w.
eagles and tattered French battle flags.
and the famous cathedral of st. Isaac,
where are deposited ikons, world renown-
ed for their priceless gems. But It was
| in the service in the chapel of the winter
palace which was attended by the car
who is the head of the church as welA
as Of the state. that tho real interest CEN
tered Although the spectacle there was
beyond the reach of the multitude. each
individual felt personal connection
Herewith. knowing that the czars own
words signalled over the city would pro-
claim the glad tldngs.
Scene of Stately Magnificence.
The scenes at the palace was one of
stately magnfeence. The ceremony was
| carried ont In accordance with the strict
| est Journalism. The Russian court, the
| nobility, councillors. ministers of the
empire, all the high dignities of state and
| officers of the army and navy came by
imperial command, and were ranged
| about the walls of a long succession of
saloons.
! The multi-colored uniforms. the dresses
! of the court ladies and the decorations
made a brilliant picture In the mar
BILE concert hail. which was flooded with
| light, We're gathered the maids of honor
of the czarina, dressed in sarafins of
brightest hued velvets kokoshiniks re-
sembzling taras ablaze with gems and
curtains of gold embroidery, At the door
of the chapel two grenadiers stood guard.
The door leading to the imperial apart
ments were guarded by the czar's mama
| dukes and Arab footmen. At half past
| II o'clock, a second guard came from
| the fortress of st. Peter and st. Paul on
| the opposite side of the Neva.
| Within the church the solemn service
| was proceeding. Behind the ikonastas
| which concealed the holy sepulchre from
all eyes. the ministery took place. Then
the court chaplain approached the golden
| gates, the doors flew open and the wind
| ing sheet was lifted The tomb was
| empty Turning as Christs disciples did,
| the clergy with the baners of the church
aloft, passed to the door seeking the van
! ished Savior.
| AS they reached the entarnce. the car
| Arabs thew wide the portals revealing
/ the imperial procession. simultaneously
| the imperial choir of men and boys be-
| gan to chant. The procession moved into
the chapel, the clergy retreating to the
| high altar 1t advanced. The members
| of the imperial family walked arm In
arm In the order of their rank which
disregarded the ties Of matrmony.
Order of Procession.
| The czar wore the uniform of the Foot
| Guards, with the blue ribbon of the Or
| der of st. Andrew on his breast. He
escorted his mother who was arrayed In
white. The czarina, In white. leaned on the
| arm of the heir apparent. At the head
Of the aisle before the altar. formed of
maachite. lapis lazuh and jasper, inlaid
| with gold and jewels the imperial pro-
cession halted and court Chaplain Yangs-
| heff announced:
| Christ Is risen"
Christ is risen. indeed" replied the
| czar. AS these words were pronounced
the choir began to sing. Outside a rocket
shot into the sky. the cannon at the fort
ress roared and all the bells of the city
rang out.
At the same time all the churches which
had been darkened were relighted and
| huge torches fared up al the four angles
| Of the cathedral of St. Andrew. This
streets below every window WAS candle
! lighted and every head was barred. Then
| followed scenes of rejoicing, men and
| women, irrespective of class, embraced
and kissed each other before returning
home to the Easter feet.
| Similar rejoicings occurred at the pail
| ace. After paschal hymns and mass had
| been sung. the czar embraced first the
| czarina, then his mother and then ths
| other members of the imperial family.
| kissing each three times and exchanging
| the salutation. Christ is risen" HE Is
! risen, indeed"
| The conclusion of the service was mark
| ed by the firing OF 120 guns from the fort
ress. As the czar left the chapel, he
stopped to greet the sentinels at the door,
| kissing them each on the cheek. the SOL
| diers responding reverently to their Sow
! ereigns greeting Through each hall tho
czar passed. repeating the salutations,
taking care to address the guards who
responded with present arms. Then ths
| imperial family withdrew TO the draw
| ing room, where with a number of per-
! sons they sat down to an Easter supper.
| KinIoch Meet Is Transferred.
St Louis, Mo-, April Announce
ment was made today by President
Phil Chew of the Kinloch Jockey club
! that the meet scheduled to begin Fri
day at Kinloch Park track will be
1transferred to the Fair Grounds track.