New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-10
THE RUSSIAN EASTER.
Scenes an st. Petersburg and MoScO7o
Court Ceremony.

st. Petersburg April 10-The Russian Church
and the Russian people at midnight celebrated
the resurrection Of the Saviour. This night the
spirit Of democracy reigns in autocratic Rus
sia- Upon the acclaiming Of the resurrection
Of Christ the Car salutes with kiss the sentry
posted at the palace door. and the highest dig
nitary and the lowest mujik exchange the joy
ful tidings with equal freedom.
Russia's capital was adorned and Illuminated
From every building hung the national colors
and in every window burned a candle. a privi-
lege permitted only on this red letter night OF
the Russian calendar.
The most popular places OF celebration were
Peter the Greats little house across the Neva,
where reposes the ikon which, according TO Rus
sian legends, saved the day at Poltava; the
Cathedral OF Our Lady OF Kasan. where pre-
served Napoleons eagles and tattered French
battle flags. and the Cathedral of st. Isaac,
where are deposited ikons renowned for their
costly gems. The service at the last named
cathedral was attended by the entire diplomatic
corps. while pressing around the outside thou
sands stood for hours. with tapers in their
hands awaiting the announcement that the
Saviour had risen.
THE SERVICE AT THE PALACE
The Emperor was present at the service in the
chapel OF the Winter Palace The Russian
Court. the nobility. councillors. ministers OF the
empire, ell the high dignitaries OF state and
officers Of the army and navy came by imperial
command.
In the celebrated Marble Concert Hall were
gathered the maids Of honor OF the Empress.
who were required on this occasion to wear the
Russian costume. Troopers from the Cheyalier
Guard. Respondent in white TUNES and scarlet
surcoats. mounted guard with drawn swords
At the door OF the chapel two gigantic grena-
diers stood guard. The doors leading to the i'm
perial apartments We're guarded by the En-
peror's Mamelukes and Arab footnen.
At 11:30 gun doomed from the Fortress OF
ST. Peter and st. Paul on the opposite side OF
the Neva. Within the church the service was
being held in the presence Of only the officiat-
ing clergy and Court Chaplain YangshefT. The
court chaplain approached the golden gates.
the doors few open and the winding sheet was
lifted
ROYAL PROCESSION ENTERS CHAPEL.
The clergy, with the banners Of tho Church
aloft, passed TO the door seeking the vanished
Saviour. As they reached the entrance the
Emperor's Arabs threw open the portals re-
vealing the imperial procession. simultaneously
the imperial choir OF men and boys began to
chant. The procession moved into the chapel,
the clergy retreating TO the high altar as 1t adj
vanced- The members OF the imperial family
walked arm in arm in the order Of their rank.
The Emperor wore the uniform OF the Foot
Guards, with the blue ribbon OF the order OF
St Andrew. He escorted his mother who was
Attired in white. The young Empress also IL
white. leaned on the arm OF the heir apparent
AT the head OF the apse. before the altar the
imperial procession halted and the court chap
lain announced: Christ is risen" Christ IS
risen. indeed" replied his majesty.
The choir burst forth into triumphant hymn.
Outside a signal rocket shot UP, the cannon ct
the fortress roared and all the bells OF the city
rang out All the churches. which had been
darkened until then, were brightly Illuminated.
and huge torches fared UP at the four angles
OF the Cathedral OF st. Isaac
CAR EMBRACES SOLDIERS.
After paschal hymns and mass had been sung.
the Emperor embraced, first, the Empress. then
his mother, and then the 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 marked by
the firing OF one hundred and twenty guns from
the fortress AS his majesty left the chapel he
stopped to greet the sentlnes at the door, kiss
ing them each on the cheek. Through each hall
the Emperor passed repeating the salutation.
Then the imperial family withdrew TO the Mala-
chite Drawing Room, where, with q number OF
guests. they sat down to an Easter supper.
All the papers express desire that the sound
Of the church bells at Eastertide be not broken
"Listok" says: Let US hope that the God OF
Peace VIII soften the hearts Of our foes, at least
Easter morning"