The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-10
THE EASIER . .Og;RUSsIANS ImpU Ag Ceremony in St.
 Petersburg. RED LETTERNIGHT OFYEAR Brief Period of Democracy in j. Autocratic Nations. The Czar, Head of the Church and State, Kisses ssntinels and Ex- changes salutations With
 the Guards.
REDLETTERNIGHT OFYEAR

St. Petersburg, April 9-The Russian Church and the Russian people at mid night celebrated the Resurrection of the Savior.
 For dramatic effect, this Russian Easter service Is unrivaled. For this one night, the spirit of genuine democracy reigns ;n autocratic Russia. Upon the acclaiming of the rising of Christ, the great White Czar salutes with kiss the sentry posted at the palace door and the highest dignl- tary and the lowest mujik exchange joy ful tidings with equal freedom.
 In honor of the great religious festival Russia's capital was adorned and illum- mated. From every building hung the national colors and in every window burned a candle. a privilege permitted only on this red letter night of the Rus sian calendar.
 The most popular places of the celebra- tion of the event were Peter the Greats little house across the Neva, where re- poses the Ikon, which. according to Rus sian legands, saved the day at Poltava; the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kasan, who helped drive the Poles back from Moscow where are preserved Napoleons eagles and tattered French battle flags, and the famous Cathedral of St. Isaac, where are deposited ikons, world renowned for their priceless gems.
 Tn winter Palace.
 But 1t was in the services in the chapel of the winter palace, which were attended by the Czar. who is the head of the church as we'll as the State, that the real interest centered. Although the spectacle there was beyond the reach of the multi tude, each individual felt a personal con- nection herewith, knowing that the Cars own words sgnalled over the city would proclaim the glad tidings, The scene at the palace was one of stately magnificence. The ceremony was carried out in aeordanee with the strictest Journalism. The Russian court, the nobil- ity. councillors ministers of the empire all the high dignataries of State and oifi- cers4of the army and navy came by ini- perial command. and were ranged about the walls of q long succession of salons The multi-colored uniforms. the dresses of the court ladies and the decora tons, made brilliant picture. In the marble concert hall, which was flooded with light were gathered the maids of honor of tho Czarina. dressed in sarafins of brightest hued velvet. kokoshniks resembling tiaras ablaze with gems, and curtains of gold embroidery.
 Booming of Second Gun.
 At the door of the chapel two grena- diers stood guard The door leading to the imperial apartments were guarded by the Czar's namelukes and Arab foot men. At 11:30 a second gun boomed from the fortess of St. Peter and St. Paul, on the opposite of the Neva.
 Within the church the solemn service was proceeding Behind the ikonastas, which concealed the Holy Sepulchre from all eyes. the mystery took place Then the court chaplain approached the golden gates, the doros flew open and the wind ing sheet was lifted. The tomb was empty Turning as Christ's disciples did, the clergy. with the banner of the church aloft. passed to the door seeking the vanished Saviour As they reached the entrance the Czars Arabs threw wide the portals revealing the imperial process sion. 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 advanced. The members of the imperial family walked arm in arm, in the order of their rank, which disregarded the ties of matrlmony
 The Czar wore the uniform of the foot guards with the blue decoration of the order of St. Apdrew on his breast. He escorted his mother who was arrayed in white.
 Imperial Procession.
 TheCzarina in white. leaned on the arm
 
 the aisle before the altar formed of malachlte, lapis lazuli and jasper inlaid with gold and jewels. the imperial pro- cession halted, and Court Chaplain Yang shelf announced:
 Christ is risen"
 Christ Is risen, indeed" replied the ' Czar
 As these words were pronounced the | choir began to sing Outside q rocket I ~k4N srk~ LA fortress roared and all the bells of the city rang out.
 At the same time all the churches, which had been darkened, were illumi- mated and huge torches hared up at the four angles of the Cathedral of St. Isaac In the streets below every window was candlelighted and every head was barred Then followed scenes of rejoicing. men and women. irrespective of class, en- braced and kissed each other before re- turning home to the Easter feast
 Czar Kisses Sentinels.
 Similar rejoicing occurred at the palace. After Paschal hymns and mass had been sung, the Czar first embraced the Czarina. then his mother and then the other members of the imperial family, kissing each three times and ex- changing the salutations Christ Is risen. He is risen indeed" The con CIuSlOu Ol lHe ScINlCe was marked by the firing of 120 guns from the fortress As the Czar left the chapel he stopped to greet the sentinels at the door, kissing them each on the cheek, the soldiers responding reverently to their sovereign's greeting. Through each hall the Czar passed. repeating the salutations taking care to address the guards, who respon- l ded with present arms. Then the Im- perial family withdrew to the malachite uyba Urifl ] partIcuiar guests they sat down to an