Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02

the blessing Of the church. and then fol-
lows very cuIsS1s :.:. s,ese... custom
which has been observed since the founda-
tior Of the Greek Church.
On Easter eve everyone brings with him
to the church the food which Is intended
for the feast on Easter day. The well-to-
stantial viands. baskets full of eggs ART
seen. butter and other useful provisions, as
well as the greater 1uxuries. Even the
poorest have something to bring, and all
be pleased by the priests and so bring a
blessing on those who partake of them at
the Easter festival. The car follows the
custom. and every bit Of the food which is
to be eaten In the palace receives the bene-
diction Of the priests.
As the breakfast is to be sumptuous one
many spend the balance of the night in pre-
pairing it. This meal consists of young
roast pig, veal, ham, lamb. curdled cream
and red eggs. fancy bread, salt cucumbers,
cabbage. dried herrings sturgeon. turbot.
steret. all kinds of groceries, sweetmeats
and fruits. The table is left spread for sew
eral days. so that all corners to the house
may enjoy its bounty.
To make the dwelling fit for the celebra-
ton OF Easter 1t has been carefully cleaned
throughout, and every one wears new
clothes, even If they be cheap and tawdry
and the result of home making.
Eggs of All Kinds.
OF course, eggs are presented by every
one to every one else. They are of all
kinds, according to the means of the giver.
Some are OF sugar or chocolate, others OF
silver or gilt, with pretty articles of jewelry
inside them: or almonds, raisins or confec-
tions or fine crystal eggs, containing
creams, jellies, pastries, fruits and game.
Flowers, except of the artificial kind, are
very scarce and meager, unless Easter hap
pens to come late, then there is an attempts
to make large floral display.
Th<,E ocfn hvoa U foS CT 10 Ind fo hrn
or four days undiluted enjoyment-or, more
properly speaking rejoicing, for there is an
undercurrent of religious sentiment running
all through the celebration of the Russion
Easter festival
There are visiting and feasting and music
everywhere in the air. Somewhere in the
city there is big fair being held, for one
sees individuals laden down with purchases
arcand. joint results of the caravan and
the new Transcaspian railway.
Noisy Merrymaking.
The towns are merry, and the sober Rus
sian Is for the once very laxative and
witty fellow. The vodka is stimulating his
brain and lifting him out of his everyday
servility and commonplaceness. The streets
are a mass of confusion. color and unique
contrast and filled with the noise of merry
making.
Crowds Of Russians from the northern
provinces salute each other with the in
evitable Christ has risen," to which is
given the solemn reply, Verify. has He
arisen"
At the court 1t is one of the most elab-
crate social events of the year. Immedi-
ately on the conclusion of the midnight
service the car and czarina hold a grand
court. one of the largest in the year, at
which everyone in the right position APP
pears, the state and court officials, as we'll
as all the officers of the guard regiments.
1t is the custom at this reception fer
everyone to kiss the car and czarina, kisses
being interchanged among the company
present. 1t is long, monotonous ceremony,
and most eXhausting, coming as it does on
top of the fasting. but people and nations
have different ideas as to expressing their
joy.
Everyone about the court receives pres
ent from the car in the shape of an egg,
very often of great artistic value. They
are, as rule, made of china, and
are filled with bOnbons or some article of
jewelry; they are of great beauty, and
thousands are distributed by their maj
estes. no gifts being more valued than
these of Easter.